Health Promotion and Preventive care

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Health Promotion and Preventive care

Ayurveda proposes three stages in the quest for good health: daily routine and

seasonal activities to prevent illness, purification therapy and medications

for diseases and rejuvenation of the system to enhance health and quality of

life.Ayurvedic preventive medicine is called Svasthavrtta 'establishing oneself

in good habits' , and its main principle is that one must reject excess in

everything. Harmony and health are possible only when everything in life is

enjoyed at the proper moment in the proper amount. Daily and seasonal routines

try to ensure that the body's needs are satisfied no matter where the mind may

roam , since most people are unable to develop the perception necessary to know

what is happening within their bodies. Neither activity nor rest should be

excessive , the body requires moderation in all things. A healthy routine

establishes moderation and order in both body and mind , helping you to flow in

the direction most appropriate for you.

 

Guidelines for maintaining Good Health

Daily Routine + Awaken before sunrise + Evacuate bowels and bladder after

awakening+ Bathe every day to create a sense of bodily freshness+ Exercise

(preferably Yoga) and meditate+ Wash hands before and after eating+ Brush teeth

after meals+ Fast one day a week to help reduce toxins from the body+ Sleep

before 10 PM

Diet and digestion + Food should be fresh, warm, tasty and easy to digest.+

Eating should not be too rushed or too slow. Chew your food nicely.+ Do not eat

while watching TV or while reading . + Eat in peaceful and pleasant

surroundings.+ Do not drink water one hour before or after meals . You can have

it in small quantities with meals.+ There should be at least four hours

difference between two meals .+ Do not take too many items in one meal. The

items taken should also not be contradicting one another.For example yogurt and

milk or ice cream and hot coffee.+ Fruits should not be mixed with meals. Either

take a separate meal of fruits or eat between two meals.+ If you feel tired or

heaviness in the stomach after eating , this is improper eating. Eat according

to your digestive power.+ One teaspoon of grated fresh ginger with a pinch of

salt is a good appetizer+ A glass of warm milk with ginger at bedtime is

nourishing and calms the mind+ Exess intake of cold drinks reduces resistance

and creates excess mucus+ Taking a nap after lunch will increase kapha and body

weight

Physical Hygiene + Oil massage promotes circulation and relieves excess vata.+

If possible gaze at the rays of the sun at dawn for five minutes daily to

improve eyesight.+ Gazing at a steady flame , morning and evening for ten

minutes , improves eyesight.+ Do not repress the natural urges of the body ,

i.e. defecation, urination, coughing, sneezing, yawning, belching

and passing gas+ Bad breath may indicate constipation , poor digestion,

unhygienic mouth and toxins in the colon.+ Body odor indicates toxins in the

system.+ Rubbing the soles of the feet with sesame oil before bedtime produces

a calm, deep sleep.+ Reading in bed will injure the eyesight.+ Application of

oil to the head calms the mind and induces sound sleep.+ Dry hair immediately

after washing to prevent sinus problems.+ Cracking the joints is injurious to

the body. + Avoid

physical exertion , such as yoga or running during menstruation.

Mental Hygiene

+ Fear and nervousness dissipate energy and aggravate Vata. +

Possessiveness , greed and attachment increase Kapha. + Worry weakens

the heart. + Hate and anger create toxins in the body and aggrevate

Pitta. + Exessice Talking dissipates energy and aggravates Vata .

Even after strictly following the above mentioned precautions it is natural that

some toxins accumulate in the body as a result of various metabolic activities.

It is necessary to eliminate these toxins from the body, which the body is

doing to a great extent. But some toxins still remain in the body and are

causing many diseases when their quantity increases beyond a certain limit. To

maintain proper functioning of different body systems and to stay healthy a

regular elimination of these toxins is required. Ayurveda gives an elimination

therapy called Pancha Karma. Another important factor for maintaining good

health and staying active even in the old age is called rejuvenation therapy.

So a healthy person should take rejuvenating preparations to maintain good

health and stay young. There are many such Ayurvedic preparations available

which can be taken according to season and your personal constitution.

Good social conduct, morality, good manners and good character are some other

factors which are necessary to stay away from diseases. Thus Ayurveda

approaches the complete individual while giving instructions about maintaining

the health.

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