World Ayurveda Day 2023: Tips For Dealing With Lifestyle Disorders

Ayurveda identifies three basic energies and any disbalance can lead to lifestyle disorders that could range between digestive issues, stress, diabetes and also disturbed sleep cycles.

World Ayurveda Day 2023

In today’s fast paced life, maintaining holistic well being and developing balance and vitality has become a major challenge. As we work long hours, and eat at irregular times, the mind, body and spirit that are interconnected start showing signs of a disbalance. Ayurveda identifies three basic energies Pitaa, Vata and Kapha, and every individual has a unique constitution based on these doshas. Any disbalance in these energies can lead to lifestyle disorders that could range between digestive issues, stress, diabetes and also disturbed sleep cycles, amongst others.

A Holistic Approach to Wellbeing: Impact of Lifestyle Disorders

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna, who is the Co-founder and Medical Director, of HexaHealth, and who a General, Laser, Bariatric, and Minimal Access Surgeon said, "In today's fast-paced world, our lifestyles have undergone significant changes. We've embraced convenience, technology, and hectic schedules, often at the expense of our health. It is important to recognise that these choices are not without consequences and have given rise to new lifestyle-related health issues that significantly impact our overall well-being. 

The Domino Effect

Lifestyle disorders don't simply manifest as isolated health problems; they trigger a domino effect. Obesity, for instance, significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and joint issues. Moreover, these disorders often result in a cascade of emotional and psychological challenges, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression.

Impacts On Overall Wellbeing:

• Physical Health: Lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and hypertension reduce energy levels and mobility and increase illness vulnerability, reducing overall physical well-being.
• Mental Health: Managing lifestyle diseases can take a toll on mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and other issues.
• Quality of Life: Ongoing medical treatment, dietary restrictions, and lifestyle changes impact the quality of life, limiting various activities and social engagements.
• Social Wellbeing: Individuals with lifestyle diseases may face social stigma and isolation. Support from friends and family can affect social relationships.
• Economic Impact: Managing lifestyle diseases can strain financial resources due to medication, doctor visits, and medical procedures, affecting economic well-being.
• Productivity: Lifestyle diseases can hinder an individual's ability to work and be productive, impacting professional life and income.
• Life Expectancy: In severe cases, they can reduce life expectancy, causing individuals to miss out on the joys of life.

Tips For A Healthy Lifestyle: 

A healthy lifestyle varies from person to person. For one, it might mean walking 10,000 steps at least five times a week, enjoying occasional treats, and staying socially active. For another, it could involve rigorous training, running marathons, following a specific diet, and avoiding alcohol. The important thing is to tailor your healthy choices to your unique preferences and needs, as there's no one-size-fits-all approach to well-being.

In this regard, Dr Aman Priya Khanna suggests some valuable tips to ensure overall well-being. 

• Prioritise Regular Physical Activity: Include at least 30 minutes of exercise in your daily routine. It boosts mood and health.
• Adopt a Balanced Diet: Consume fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, limiting processed foods and sugary drinks.
• Stay Hydrated: Choose water over sugary beverages to aid digestion and maintain bodily functions.
• Manage Stress: Practice meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness to maintain emotional balance.
• Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night for stress management and healthy weight.
• Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol: Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake for better health.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of several lifestyle diseases. Consult a healthcare provider for guidance on weight management.
• Stay Socially Active: Engage with friends and family for emotional support.
• Educate Yourself: Learn about lifestyle diseases' risk factors and make informed choices about your health.
• Regular Health Check-Ups: Early detection is key to effective management, so schedule health check-ups at least once a year.

Ayurvedic Tips To Deal With Lifestyle Disorders:

In this regard, Shrawan Daga, who is the Founder & CEO, of Krishna’s Herbal and Ayurveda said, "Ayurveda lays great emphasis on mindful eating- considering not just the quantity but also quantity of food."

He further went on to list the follwoing:

• Fresh, seasonal and organic meals are the first step towards dealing with lifestyle disorders.
• Giloy, jamun, aloe vera, amla, papaya leaf juice are those magical ingredients that can help in improving immunity as well as improving gut health and also helps in diabetic care.
• The right mix of ginger juice, garlic juice, apple cider vinegar, honey and lemon juice is the perfect solution for those suffering from high cholesterol.
• When fresh ingredients or juices are used, they yield amazing results, not just for the body but improves skin and hair too.
• Tulsi and Brahmi are herbs that help in beating stress and give major relief to those struggling with sleep disorders.
• While those suffering from diabetes should go for Karela Jamun juice, for enhancing overall immunity one should use Noni Juice and preservative free Chyawanprash.

How Youngsters Can Deal With Common Lifestyle Disorders These Days

Dr Anu Prabha, who is a Research Scientist and  Product Manager of Human Genomics at HaystackAnalytics said, "In recent times, youngsters are prone to several lifestyle disorders like obesity, diabetes, steady increase in heart rate, body pain, etc., mainly due to a sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary habits, and increasing levels of stress. To combat them, they can include various lifestyle practices and techniques into their daily routine to manage their overall wellbeing. The question yet remains as to what can be done to observe an effective change, which lifestyle will bring out a change, and how to find them."

 She went on to list the following:

• Maintain a Healthy Diet: One of the most crucial factors in managing lifestyle disorders is maintaining a healthy diet which is rich in vitamins, calcium, fiber, protein, Omega-3 fatty acid, carbohydrates, etc. Additionally, individuals are advised to avoid processed foods, sugary beverages, and excessive refined carbohydrates, as it can impact your gut health in a negative way, and further lead to excessive weight gain. 

• Incorporate Physical Activity in Daily Routine:  Physical activity plays an integral role in managing overall wellbeing, as it not only helps in maintaining a healthy weight but also helps in balancing the hormone levels, improving insulin sensitivity and enhancing immune system. Individuals are advised to aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity such as jogging, swimming or yoga, per week to keep themselves physically active, and further reduce the risk of heart diseases and improve mental health. 

• Limit Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption: Alcohol and Tobacco consumption is another lifestyle factor that significantly influences certain lifestyle disorders, as it increases the levels of estrogen and folic acid in the body, which can further lead to the vitamin B-12 deficiency and impact the overall wellbeing. Individuals are advised to adopt the ‘intake to zero’ approach, which is the safest approach to manage lifestyle disorders.  

• Adequate Sleep Schedule: Individuals are advised to maintain a healthy pattern of sleep and aim for approximately 7 hours of quality sleep per night as poor sleep patterns can lead to increased stress levels and impact cognitive function of the individual. 

• Regular Screening: Individuals are recommended to opt for regular health-checkups to closely monitor if they are suffering from any kind of health issues. The routine checkups will allow the healthcare professionals to detect issues at an early stage and enable them for timely interventions. Additionally, individuals can also opt for DNA testing which will allow the healthcare professionals to understand our genetic makeup and analyze an individual’s susceptibility to certain conditions, and take certain measures to eliminate the risk. Genetic testing can provide insights into what are the lifestyle changes that bring about a positive and effective change to specifically alter the risks that they might face in their lifetime. This is a once in a lifetime test with insights serving as a guide to health throughout life.