With every beginning, whether it be a new day, new year or new milestone, we have the power to take action and commitment to sustainable wellness. Modern life brings many challenges, can the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda—the “science of life”—provide us with some simple principles to guide us toward balance, vitality, and thriving? The principles of ‘Science of Life’ enable us to create lasting habits that nurture mind, body, and spirit.
1. Begin with Clear Intentions
Ayurveda emphasises the importance of clarity and purpose. You may have experienced this through yoga, mindfulness, or meditation practices—all integral to Ayurvedic teachings. Reflect on what wellness means to you, and what needs to come into balance. Is it about physical movement, mental calm, or emotional? Identify what is most valuable to you and set intentions that align with achievable actions.
For instance, you might aim to eat more mindfully, introduce a short self-care ritual, or dedicate time to a 10-minute yoga routine. Simple mantras like, “I intend to practice mindful movement, taking each step with purpose for my healing,” can ground your efforts and provide focus. Aligning your intentions with purposeful actions fosters a foundation for sustainable change.
2. Embrace Mindfulness
Mindful observation and adapting to life’s rhythms is a key teaching of Ayurveda. Noticing how we are, what shifts our energy, digestion, mood and sleep will help us address imbalances. Perhaps it is a food we need to avoid, or a situation we need to address.
Setting an intention to be mindful in our interactions, decisions and actions ensure we can adjust accordingly.
Mindful adaptability ensures that your journey remains flexible and responsive to your needs.
Simple mindfulness exercises can include a mindful skincare routine, for example, providing a moment of peace while addressing your skin’s needs with Ayurvedic herbals.
3. Establish a Daily Routine (Dinacharya)
A structured daily routine is referred to as Dinacharya in Ayurveda. The intentional practices are to establish harmony and balance from the start of the day through to the end.
You may already have your own routines, simply incorporate what resonates with you.
Morning rituals: Warm water with lemon is a great way to start the day and gently stimulate digestion. Traditional Ayurveda practices also incorporate cleanse and energising practices such as tongue scraping, and nasal clearing with salted water.
Mindful meals: Prioritise fresh, seasonal foods and undistracted eating to support digestion and vitality.
Evening wind-down: Prepare for restorative sleep with calming practices like journaling, meditation, or light yoga. Lighting a candle and focusing on the flame for a few minutes provides a simple meditation practice. Noting three things you are grateful for in your day can be a great way to reflect and appreciate the positives in our life.
4. Daily Movement
Movement is critical for good health and is also a great way to relieve stress and ensure balanced mood. Set intention for daily movement, such as a walk in nature, or yoga sequence, ideal for starting your day or resetting after a busy moment.
Here are some essential tips for joint health and mobility that are easy to incorporate into daily routines:
- Botanicals to help joint and muscle health
- Massage and spa therapy
- Yoga and stretching
- Anti-inflammatory diet and foods
5. Incorporate Breathwork for Calm
Breathwork is a powerful Ayurvedic practice for balancing the mind and body, incorporated into other Ayurveda practices like yoga. A few minutes daily can foster relaxation and resilience. Breathwork can also be easily done in any setting, even a stressful work meeting.
Try out some of these simple practices. Alternative nostril breathing is a great one for the start and end of the day, while box breathing can be used before a meeting to focus the mind.
- Box Breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.
- Diaphragmatic Breathing: Focus on deep belly breaths to calm your nervous system.
- 4-7-8 Breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8.
- Alternate Nostril Breathing: Balance your energy and centre your mind.
Breath by breath, you will create clarity and a sense of inner calm. It is like yoga for your mind.
6. Ayurvedic Botanicals for Your Health
Ayurveda time-tested botanicals offer targeted support for managing specific health concerns, helping you maintain wellness throughout the year.
Digestive Health: Many traditional medicines recognise digestion as the foundation to health. Good digestion means you get the most out of the foods to support energy and wellbeing. Asafoetida is a traditional botanical used in Ayurveda and other cultures, for promoting digestion and alleviating bloating or discomfort. Incorporate it into meals that are prone to cause gas build up (like lentil dishes….). Your stomach and loved ones will thank you too. Many Ayurvedic botanicals are used as foods, and also as medicines. For example; AyurScience Gasnix is based on a traditional Ayurvedic formula to help reduce bloating, flatulence and gas. It can also be used as a natural remedy to reduce symptoms occurring of medically diagnosed IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
Reduce Inflammation: Inflammation impacts health in many ways and is linked to many health conditions. Ayurvedic herbal medicines like turmeric and ginger are celebrated due to natural anti-inflammatory properties. Try using turmeric in your cooking, it is great in a curry. To support joint health and reduce inflammation consider a supplement combined with Ayurvedic botanicals, like AyurScience Re-Moov, Withania (Ashwagandha) and Boswellia, helping to address various stages of inflammation and pain.
Healthy Breathing: A reoccurring chesty cough, or irritating dry cough, is a common sign of respiratory issues and can impact wellbeing, breathing and sleep. Be sure to see your healthcare professional to address the underlying cause. Ginger, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Adhatoda (Malabar Nut) are excellent herbals for coughs and supporting respiratory health. Using a natural remedy for chesty coughs or dry coughs may help address early symptoms before the cough develops further.
7. Plant-based Nourishment
Fresh and seasonal foods, with an emphasis on plant-based is recommended in Ayurveda.
Aim for plant-based nourishment, including nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables, in season fruits and vegetables. Designating a meat-free day at least two nights a week is a great way to start.
Include a variety of colours and textures to ensure nutritional harmony. Stay hydrated with water or herbal teas to maintain energy and clarity.
8. Celebrate Your Progress
Ayurveda reminds us that wellness is a journey. You may wish to reflect on your achievements with gratitude and adjust your practices to align with evolving needs. Trust the process, knowing that balance is dynamic and an ever-changing journey to wellbeing, with intention to stay well.
Together, lets embrace renewal and unlock the secrets of Ayurveda for a harmonious, thriving life enriched by natural medicine, herbal healthcare products, and Ayurvedic herbal solutions.
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