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Just this week a friend was telling me how helpful having a routine has been during a stressful time in her life. Indeed! I know the feeling. During the last almost 15 months grieving the death of my husband, keeping a routine has given me a reason to get up every day (when I would rather pull the covers over my head) and take care of myself and my responsibilities (when I would rather tell the whole world to go to H - E double hockey sticks).
Ayurveda, India’s system for health and wellness, prioritizes routine over everything. No matter who you are, there are some aspects of routine that everyone has to abide by, but because everyone is different in body/mind/spirit, everyone has a slightly different routine. For example, some people do best early to bed, early to rise, while others do things later. But all people need to prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep every day. Another example is food: Everyone should eat foods that are healthy for their constitution and nutritional needs, but what is appropriate will vary from person to person.
We could also mention exercise habits, the need for friendship and connection, the benefits of artistic inspiration and being in Nature, knowing one’s purpose in the world and having a reason to get out of bed each day, and experiencing unity consciousness through prayer, meditation and other spiritual practices. These are the basic needs of a human being and together they provide a holistic picture of a person who is healthy in mind, body and spirit.
As we continue this month’s exploration of Nourish, consider this week how you nurture all these parts of yourself:
Are you ingesting food and drink appropriate for your constitution and the current season of the year? (more on this next week!)
Are you prioritizing your sleep by having good sleep habits and giving your body the right amount of rest for your constitution and the current season of the year?
Do you move your body every day in ways that increase flexibility, strength and balance without causing harm to your body?
Are you giving adequate time and attention to the important relationships in your life?
Do you have a relationship with unity consciousness, such as your Higher Power, Nature or the Universe?
Do you know your purpose for being in the world?
After you have reflected on each of these areas of life, pick one or two that may need some attention. Consider one thing you could do to enhance that area. Make sure your one thing is doable and practical. Then, just do it!
Ayurveda, India’s system for health and wellness, prioritizes routine over everything. No matter who you are, there are some aspects of routine that everyone has to abide by, but because everyone is different in body/mind/spirit, everyone has a slightly different routine. For example, some people do best early to bed, early to rise, while others do things later. But all people need to prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep every day. Another example is food: Everyone should eat foods that are healthy for their constitution and nutritional needs, but what is appropriate will vary from person to person.
We could also mention exercise habits, the need for friendship and connection, the benefits of artistic inspiration and being in Nature, knowing one’s purpose in the world and having a reason to get out of bed each day, and experiencing unity consciousness through prayer, meditation and other spiritual practices. These are the basic needs of a human being and together they provide a holistic picture of a person who is healthy in mind, body and spirit.
As we continue this month’s exploration of Nourish, consider this week how you nurture all these parts of yourself:
Are you ingesting food and drink appropriate for your constitution and the current season of the year? (more on this next week!)
Are you prioritizing your sleep by having good sleep habits and giving your body the right amount of rest for your constitution and the current season of the year?
Do you move your body every day in ways that increase flexibility, strength and balance without causing harm to your body?
Are you giving adequate time and attention to the important relationships in your life?
Do you have a relationship with unity consciousness, such as your Higher Power, Nature or the Universe?
Do you know your purpose for being in the world?
After you have reflected on each of these areas of life, pick one or two that may need some attention. Consider one thing you could do to enhance that area. Make sure your one thing is doable and practical. Then, just do it!
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