India's ancient science of health and healing is being accepted worldwide for its potential for holistic life transformation. It encompasses simple life-changing principles and practises that dig deep and address all aspects of your body, mind and spirit.
Here are 6 Ayurveda self-care rituals that can promote good digestion and overall health:
1. Don’t overeat
Why Can't I Stop Eating? Eating too much every once in a while is normal. In some cases, people simply overeat out of mindless habit. But most times, it’s the result of underlying emotional problems. Can people be “addicted” to food? Researchers say that certain foods high in fat, sugar, and salt are addictive, causing changes in the brain similar to those made by drugs. Another important factor to keep in mind is that '“Overeating and restrictive eating are often two sides of the same coin.”
2. Exercise
Doing some form of physical activity each day is smart. In fact, studies show that 30 minutes of daily exercise is enough to keep you healthy and in shape.
3. Sit & eat
Take a look at the environment that you eat your food in. Does it support a calm presence or is it distracting? What are you looking at while you eat? Are you watching television, reading or looking at a computer screen? Is it a calm and peaceful place? Often it is not. Many people eat on the run, sometimes not even taking the time to sit down, much less care about the environment. Also, agitation and distraction make it very difficult to control your eating habits.
4. Pay attention
Sit down, slow down and savour your meals and snacks. Pay attention to your senses: smell, taste and texture of food. Slow down your eating, chewing food thoroughly.
5. Eat fresh
Eating a balanced diet of fresh, whole foods is a very important part of being healthy. Yes, we put a lot of packaged foods in our carts in supermarkets. They have words like nutritional', healthy' and fresh' labeled on their packets. But, honestly, do you think it is? When it comes to food, eat what's in season, buy locally and cook from scratch.
6. Sip warm water
How many times have you been told to drink more water? Let's get it straight first. Yes, one should drink water properly, not just “drink more water”. The majority of our body is water, both inside and outside cells. You need plenty of water to function and feel good. Also, you lose a lot of water every day through breathing, sweat, urine, and bowels. Your only choice for perfect health is to replenish your body with ample water.
Stay healthy! Stay blessed!