Dr Kranthi R Vardhan - Weekly Newsletter - Issue#51

Today’s Modern Lifestyle:

Time-crunch pressure, Work-life imbalance, Deadlines and targets;

Overload of commitments, juggling multiple responsibilities, On-the-go lifestyle;

Personal and professional demands, Non-stop multitasking etc

End result is –

“We are neglecting our health & well-being!!”

The 6 Modern Lifestyles challenges we are facing are:

1. Sedentary lifestyle:

Increased screen time and desk jobs have led to a decline in physical activity.

~ The WHO reported that 1 in 4 adults globally are not getting enough exercise.

2. Unhealthy diets:

Fast food and convenience meals have become the norm, contributing to poor nutrition.

~ 85% of us do not consume the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

3. Sleep deprivation:

The link to technology and work demands have led to reduced sleep quality and quantity.

~ The American Sleep Association says 35.3% adults get < 7 hours of sleep / night.

4. Chronic stress:

High-pressure work environments, erratic work-life balance increase stress levels.

~ The American Institute of Stress reported that 80% of workers feel stress on the job, and nearly half say they need help learning how to manage stress.

5. Neglecting mental health:

The stigma around mental health & the fast-paced nature of modern life often result in people not seeking help or investing time in mental self-care.

~ The National Institute of Mental Health reported that in the United States, only 43.3% of adults with mental illness received treatment in the past year.

6. Lack of social connection:

The increasing reliance on digital communication has led to a decline in face-to-face interactions and genuine connections with others.

~ American Sociological Review study found that the number of people reporting they have no close confidants has nearly tripled since the 1980s.

The 6 Ayurvedic Solutions to revitalize your health:

1. Incorporate physical activity:

Consider regular exercises that involve walking along with Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations).

~ Ayurveda recommends practicing yoga asanas (postures) that suit your specific body type (dosha) for optimal well-being.

2. Prioritize healthy meals:

Plan & prepare balanced meals at home featuring Ayurvedic principles, such as the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent).

~ Incorporate Ayurvedic superfoods like turmeric, ginger, and ghee into your daily meals to support digestion and overall health.

3. Establish a sleep routine:

Prioritize sleep by creating a regular bedtime schedule and an optimal sleep environment.

~ Ayurveda suggests massaging warm oil, like sesame or coconut oil, on your feet before bed to promote relaxation and better sleep.

4. Manage stress effectively:

Develop stress-reducing techniques, such as deep breathing or Ayurvedic meditation practices like Trataka (candle gazing).

~ Ayurveda recommends daily Abhyanga (self-massage) with warm oil to relieve stress and nourish the skin.

5. Invest in mental health:

Seek professional help when needed and set aside time for Ayurvedic self-care practices like pranayama (breath control) or daily meditation.

~ Practice alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana Pranayama) to reduce anxiety and calm the mind.

6. Strengthen social connections:

Make an effort to engage in face-to-face interactions and prioritize quality time with loved ones, incorporating Ayurvedic principles of living in harmony with nature and the environment.

~ Organize group activities centered on Ayurvedic practices, such as cooking classes or nature walks, to bond with others and share knowledge.

Wrapping up:

The modern lifestyle has undoubtedly taken a toll on our health and well-being. Fortunately, with the wisdom of Ayurveda, it's possible to revitalize your health by adopting holistic lifestyle changes. Taking these six Ayurvedic solutions to the heart can truly bring a remarkable transformation in your daily life, leading to improved physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Revitalize your health and embrace Ayurveda ~ the ancient art of living wisely!

Thank you for reading.

I hope you enjoyed reading this issue. If you found it useful, feel free to forward it to your friends, family, colleagues, or anyone you feel might benefit from it. If you want to read the previous issues, here’s the archive.

Have a great weekend!

- Dr. Kranthi R Vardhan