About Health & Wellbeing
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Grandpa was right. He was often known to say, "Krissy*, if you have your health, you have everything." *(He was the ONLY one who could get away with calling me this BTW.) These past several months of living in a pandemic has emphasized the importance of health. And yet, so many lack health and wellbeing.
We Are Unwell
Covid-19 has caused the largest decline in U.S. life expectancy since World War II, the federal government reported July 21. Unemployment, financial hardships, illness, and loss has been traumatizing. For many, daily life lacks the structure, status and meaning that it once had, as the Princeton University economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton have explained. People are more likely to endure chronic pain and to report being unhappy.
Current society would have us think that wellbeing equates to finances, professional achievement, and higher education. And while these factors increase the likelihood of access to resources that support wellbeing, they do not ensure a lifestyle of wellbeing. Eastern medicine would have us think that a gamut of tests and prescriptions can improve our health. Ayurveda, however, would implore that the root of all disease is imbalance in the self. In this manner, no amount of therapy or pills will shift your brain to calm if your lifestyle doesn’t support sattva, or purity. Lifestyle is medicine!
Dr. Lad, Ayurvedic Physician defines health as the following: “One who is established in the self, has balanced their doshas, tissues, proper elimination of wastes, well-functioning bodily systems, and whose mind, soul, and senses are full of bliss.”
Does your lifestyle reflect your definition of health and wellbeing? If not, consider how the wisdom tradition of Ayurveda can provide perspective, tools, and resources to help you understand your mind and body in a way that balances your wellbeing so you can live a full and meaningful life.
Ayurveda On Health & Wellbeing
Ayurveda is a traditional healing system for the body and mind, dating back 5,000 years. Ayurveda recognizes that each person has a unique mind-body constitution and determines where any imbalances may exist. Treatment focuses on managing daily habits to nourish, stimulate, and balance vital energy to bring about their own improvements in health and wellness.
The Ayurvedic Approach
Mind – identifying potential cognitive distortions/unhelpful thinking patterns; finding your internal locus of control through breath, deep relaxation, and meditation
Body – assess and address the quality of your agni, digestive fire – how you are digesting your food, thoughts, feelings, and experiences; move energy in the body with yoga and breathwork
Lifestyle – internalize the Ayurvedic clock; begin a practice of Dinacharya, daily “bookend” routines that offer nourishment and detoxification; learn how to use food as medicine and incorporate the 6 tastes into your meals
Progress is measured by indicators of health such as the following: appetite, digestion, elimination, sleep, energy levels, and emotional balance.
Lifestyle Practices Have a Profound Effect
The power of simple habits reminds me of a quote from Yung Pueblo in his book, Inward:
"the mind is a series of patterns
if we wish to change ourselves
we should create new habits
when we build new habits
we are creating a new life"
Simple doesn’t mean easy. I often hear,
“I feel overwhelmed and that itself literally keeps me up at night. And I miss opportunities to take care of myself, my happiness and health in lieu of working and checking off tasks from my to-do lists and worrying about others’ well-being. And in avoidance of my own self-care, I’m overwhelmed and becoming a miserable old woman who no one wants to be around. It’s a vicious cycle.”
As humans, we often do contradictory things…
If you know choices you’re making result in suffering mentally, emotionally, or physically, really ask yourself, “Why do I persist?” It’s like having a broken arm and once casted, going back a week later and asking to break the bone more because the pain is lessening. Pain mentally, emotionally, physically or spiritually is not a lifestyle. Our job is to work towards health and wellbeing; to treat your body like a home.
Accountability is Key
Partnering with an Ayurvedic coach can keep you accountable, as well as encourage and celebrate your efforts. You may find that finding balance allows you to be more forgiving and patient with your loved ones, access more joy and gratitude, and feel more grounded on just the regular old day.
Do you value health, happiness, and wellbeing?
Do you matter enough to apply this to yourself?
Wanting to discover how your self-care can empower you?
Contact Kristen to begin your wellness journey!
