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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