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Life in the present -day world is sky-rocketing at its fast pace, when people ignore the need for
following a salubrious life-style , contributing much to the degeneration of the body and soul.
Mind you, it need not be that fussy and stressful, if one chooses to abide by certain of the Ayurvedic
principles and practices prescribed for daily and seasonal life. And the happy and healthy life that is
secured after following the Ayurvedic pattern could be transforming and endearing to individuals and
families.
To enjoy an invigorating life,  what is essentially needed is only course correction and life-style
modification in tune with the tenets of Ayurveda, which is the science of life, unfolding the secrets
of nature and health as prescribed by sages thousands of years ago, during the Vedic period.
Precisely, one need not go and live in a cave or crevice of the Himalayas to live a life according to
Ayurvedic norms. The standards set by Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Agasthya and others are still

relevant to the people living in a culture far away from the times the sages lived.
Can’t we have a time schedule for routine life, an oil bath, diet regimen and exercise, living in the
cosmopolis or metropolis?
The answer is definitely a positive yes, if one has the will to go beyond the rigmarole of a city life,
which is full of strain, competition, peer pressure and unpredictability of all sorts.

Waking up and going about routine life procedures should be early in the morning, as the adage says,
‘early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’.

We have heard of the Brahma Muhurta (time of Brahma, the Creator), which is the pre-dawn period
(muhurta), one and a half hours or 96 minutes before Sunrise. This time is considered to be God’s hour,
the last phase of the night, believed to be an auspicious time for undertaking sublime things.
One has to take care of oral hygiene by brushing the teeth and scraping the tongue. The coating of the
tongue is considered to reflect the toxins permeating the colons.
Gargling using salt water with a pinch of turmeric keeps the gums, mouth and throat healthy, as all
sorts of impurities wash off. Dryness of throat and cracking of lips can be avoided this way, in addition
to teeth being free of cavities.
There can be an oil bath using Ayurvedic oil prescribed by the doctor or the Vaidya (physician), after
which the skin would be glowing and the muscles flexible and easy .Even the bones and the skeletal
system could be pampered this way. It is good to have a bath using water which is not too cold or too
hot, for in the process one can remove fatigue, sweating and dirt.
We have to see to it that the hair is washed and made clean, and it would be better to use an Ayurvedic
herbal shampoo.

The hair should be kept trimmed and nails filed properly and one has to take particular care to wear
clean clothes.

Exercises, which boost stamina and provide  resistance to diseases, should be made a regular practice, and if possible go in for
Yoga postures and breathing exercise (Pranayama)  as per experts’ advice.
Swimming, brisk walking and jogging could be pursued in accordance with availability of facilities and
time. In any case, one should have brisk walking for about an hour or at least half an hour, which
would be good for increased blood circulation.Caution, exercise should not be done during illness and immediately after a meal.

Meditation for about 15 minutes would be best for disciplining the mind and removing accumulated
stress. Let it be done after having a bath, for the body and the mind would be clean and clear.
Breakfast should be warm, nourishing and wholesome, and one should not be stressed or agitated while
eating, to ensure proper digestion.Cleanliness is all important, and so one has to wash his hands before and after eating, in addition to
cleaning the teeth and tongue after every meal.

Lunch should be the main meal of the day, and one has to keep mum during eating, talking and laughing
are out of the question. It should be emphasized that heavy and spicy food should be avoided.
At Sundown, one has to reflect on the activities of the day when he can assess himself about the rights
and wrongs done to himself or others during the day time. Why not develop a clean conscience ,which would be good for him and others?
One can take light snacks in between, if he is hungry, but one has to keep off heavy food. And why not
take a light walk?
Dinner should be lighter than the lunch and it should be taken before 7 pm. It is assessed that dinner
should be had three hours before going to bed. Moreover, early dinner gives time for proper digestion of the food.
Going to bed just after dinner with a heavy stomach  would be a stumbling block to enjoy good sleep.
One should be particular to see to it that one gets six or seven hours of sleep before, say 5 am.
Massage the soles of your feet before going to bed, for this will provide relaxation to your body
system. It is advisable not to sleep on your belly, for one has to sleep on his back.
Life-style disorders are usually caused by sedentary habits and fast food patterns. Life-style diseases
such as diabetes, hyper tension and obesity are on the rise the world over. One has to take conscious
efforts to keep off these diseases by leading a disciplined and orderly life. Even after being afflicted with these terrible maladies, one can stay secure by practicing Ayurvedic procedures prescribed for daily life, definitely not discarding other medicines.

One can use decoctions, Ayurvedic hair oils, massage oils and the like as prescribed by an Ayurvedic doctor or
physician. Application of a mix of Kottamchukkaadi, Pinda thailam, Kaarpaasasyaadi, Dhanvantharam,
Prabhanjanam and Murivenna would alleviate the muscle and joint pain of the elderly. For me who is
suffering from something or the other, if various specialists’ versions are correct– like having
diabetes, hyper tension, cholesterol problem, osteoporosis, adhesive capsulitis(frozen shoulder),
diabetic neurosis and what not—this mix of Ayurvedic potions and massage oils gives instant relief from
pain and suffering. Mind  you, there is thrill in this wobbly walking even as the body and mind are bedeviled by these horrible medical conditions!
The Ayurvedic system of natural healing, taking its origins in the Vedic culture, appears to have been
suppressed during foreign occupation of the country. But now it enjoys a pride of place among
complementary or alternative systems of medicine. It is said that Tibetan medicine and traditional
Chinese medicine had their roots in Ayurveda.Let us not forget the fact that we have a glorious heritage in preventing diseases and treating ailments.
Ayurveda is not a mere system of treating illnesses, it being the science of life, hands down a body of
wisdom to help people stay vibrant and brimming with health.

Providing guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and proper use of our own
senses, Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our
environment, body, mind and spirit.
Recognising that human beings are part of nature, Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that
govern our inner and outer environments, movement, transformation and structure which have to be kept in balance.Therefore, let us indulge in some form or the other of the wise sayings of these sages, even as we are living in urban or rural areas.

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