Ayurvedic living: What to do and what not to do for a healthy old age

Time, our nature, diet, and the absence of sickness are the four aspects that affect how we age, according to Namita Piparaiya.

According to Ayurveda, there are three stages of life: Balavastha (childhood), Madhyavastha (early adulthood), and Vriddhavastha (old age) (old age). Additionally, because everyone ages differently, two people of the same age may have very different levels of vitality and energy. This can depend in large part on how well they take care of their bodies or how much they exhaust and push them past their breaking points, both of which can hasten the ageing process.

Time, our nature, diet, and the lack of sickness are the four aspects that affect how we age. Additionally, the vata dosha (element of space and air) becomes predominant in Vriddhavastha. If sufficient care is not followed, the deterioration can be evident in joints as well as in the mind with disorders related to memory — the first indicators of age-associated decline. Since Vata is involved with bones and the nerve system.

Establish a routine

This is the cornerstone of ayurvedic living: at every stage of life, we need to establish a routine that works for our particular personality. Maintain a regular sleeping schedule, begin each day with a glass of water, perform all personal hygiene, and schedule some thoughtful exercises like yoga and meditation for the morning. Planning your days and engaging in activities you enjoy will prevent loneliness and boredom.

Be active.

The body and joints will remain healthy with regular, moderate exercise. As this stage is Vata, more grounding exercises like Hatha Yoga or light weight lifting are advised. Vata is increased by high-intensity exercises like HIIT and plyometrics, thus they might not be ideal for everyone. Choose a physical activity based on your body’s signals. Balance training is especially crucial for good ageing because it’s a great way to reduce Vata and build a strong mind-body connection that helps prevent falls.

concentrating on mental health

A sound mind is just as crucial as a sound body. We frequently underestimate the strains that come with ageing, including loneliness, fear, ability loss, etc. We may maintain the health of our minds by scheduling time for Pranayama, meditation, mindful walking, and even indulging in leisure activities.

Eat healthfully

As we get older, our nutritional needs change. Our eating habits begin to catch up to our physical systems, especially around the age of 60. As a result, conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, electrolyte imbalances, sleeplessness, etc. start to occur more frequently. This highlights the value of choosing nutrient-rich foods, which you may obtain by consuming a range of locally grown produce, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats, particularly Omega 3s. Avoid junk food, dry salty snacks, and sugary foods since they all irritate Vata, which is already quite sensitive as we age.

Examine Ayurvedic treatments

Not everyone responds well to all herbs or treatments. An Ayurvedic physician will determine your body type (Prakriti) and then suggest therapies appropriate for your particular issues. This can involve dietary recommendations, herbs, or panchakarma. We can increase both our longevity and quality of life with a little self-control and inspiration. And we can accomplish all of the aforementioned by maintaining a good outlook on ageing!