Maharishi AyurVeda Resolutions for 2020
As you read this, take a moment to stop and reflect … what would you say are your most important resolutions for enhancing your wellbeing in 2020?
Are your wellbeing resolutions pretty obvious to you? Or are you stuck not knowing what would give you the best result? To help you arrive at some key wellbeing resolutions to help make 2020 the best year yet, let’s ponder the following questions
- Are there limits to healthy ageing?
- Factors That Keep You, Young
- Healthy Aging and Longevity Tips
- What are 5 key Ayurvedic Resolutions for 2020?
Are there limits to healthy ageing?
With the medical advancements of the last century, Clinical Psychiatrist Robert F. Morgan argues that we could live comfortably to 140 years of age. Interestingly the Ayurvedic texts suggest that normal lifespan should be around 120 years in this age.
Why is it then that life expectancy in 2015 to 2017 remained at 79.2 years for males and 82.9 years for females according to the Office for National Statistics?
The reasons for this are as varied as the factors that help to keep us vibrant and youthful.
- The increase in pollution. Has increased the number and potency of respiratory illnesses such as chronic bronchitis and asthma.
- Cigarette smoking. Both first hand and second-hand is directly correlated to acquired cancers, respiratory illnesses and cardiac disease.
- Obesity. Individuals who carry 20% or more weight than recommended for their height reduce their life expectancy by one third. Increasingly the question of inadequate nutrition is also considered for its impact on longevity and ageing.
- Where you live. Studies have shown that individuals who live in mountainous regions have a greater life expectancy than those living at a lower altitude. The thinner air requires more pumping of the heart and lungs to circulate blood through the body. Over time this builds up the heart muscle and decreases the risks associated with cardiovascular illness. In addition, it has been assumed that individuals who live at altitude also participate in the recreational activities associated with these regions such as hiking, skiing, mountain biking or kayaking. Indicating regular exercise is a key factor.
- Genetics. knowing your family history helps with prevention and early detection of illness, but it is not the whole picture… Epigenetics an emerging science of gene expression tells us that we can manage our genes and influence our DNA through how we manage our mind, body, and even our environment.
Factors To Keep You, Young
According to researchers of life expectancy a longer life can be associated with the following circumstances:
- work satisfaction
- no cardiovascular disease
- low blood pressure
- no cigarette smoking
- high personal happiness
- good health and basic physical functioning
- high intelligence
- a positive view of life
- useful and satisfying role in society
- sound financial status
- intact marriage
- few worries
- conserving personal energy
- a marriage in which one spouse is younger than the other
- up to the age of 40, looking young for one’s age
- not having been aggravated
- having been raised in a small family
- continuing work activity after retirement age
- long-living parents
- having been raised by a young mother
- a healthy microbiome
Healthy Aging Tips
Many components are involved in healthy ageing. Hippocrates, over 2,000 years ago – in the 5th century BC summarised the key components for health (wholeness), the basis of longevity:
“Positive health requires knowledge of man’s primary constitution and the powers of various foods, both those natural to them and those resulting from human skills. But eating alone is not enough for health. There must be exercise, of which the effects must likewise be known. The combination of these two things makes regimen when proper attention is given to the seasons of the year, the changes of the winds, the age of the individual and the situation of his home”.
Interestingly, Hippocrates incorporates almost every element that we now consider important for improving health and increasing our chances of longer life.
7 Longevity Tips from Long-Lived Communities
- Blue Zones – communities oriented around healthy lifestyles where it is common to live more than 100 years with the full functional ability provide us with some helpful lifestyle principles.
- Move naturally – People are physically active in daily life.
- Eat moderately – until you are 80 per cent full, which cuts calories by 20 per cent. Consume a plant-based diet full of fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains, while avoiding or greatly reducing meat and processed foods.
- Downshift – or rest and relax regularly. Relieve stress, as in your twice-daily Transcendental Meditation® (TM) practice; rest and relax regularly.
- Have purpose – Identify your life purpose and live by it.
- Enjoy social support – by making family, loved ones, and your social circle a priority.
- Belong or Participate – in a spiritual practice and community.
Wellbeing Resolutions for 2020
When reflecting on what I would recommend as the top 5 wellbeing resolutions for 2020 what I would suggest is.
1. Be happy – do what gives you joy
High level of personal happiness is one of the factors identified as important for healthy ageing and I would say a happy fulfilling life. If your happiness levels are marginal or lower than you would like, consider taking Blissful Joy (MA1402) 1-2 tablets about one hour after breakfast and evening meals. Also, take a look at your life and see if you are living true to what you consider your purpose and make time to be with family, loved ones and your social circle. It matters.
2. Be well rested
Did you know that sleep loss can speed up cellular ageing causing your skin to age faster while decreasing your skin’s ability to recover from sunburn? On the other hand, too much sleep defined as over 9 hours can increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. So aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
- Vata types often do well on 7 hours per night,
- Pitta types 7-8 hours and
- Kapha types 8-9 hours per night.
The most recuperative sleep comes when your sleep is undisturbed or you sleep straight through.
To assist you to sleep quickly and soundly consider taking Blissful Sleep Vata & Pitta (MA1684) at bedtime and using Sweet Sleep (Nidra) Aroma Oil in an infuser beside the bed.
3. Meditate daily
Practising Transcendental Meditation has many benefits for the mind, body, relationships, productivity and enjoyment of life. It also can help you age more slowly!
4. Keep your digestion strong
- The strength of your digestion and health of your microbiome is directly related to your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Take Triphala with Rose (MA505) daily before bed as a daily detox and to provide a gentle digestive tone to your microbiome.
- Eat your largest quantity of food at lunchtime when your digestive capacity is strongest and a light evening meal by 6 to 7 pm.
- Favour seasonal foods grown locally and freshly cooked by a happy cook!
- Complete a seasonal cleanse at the change of season. As the seasons change the accumulated impurities from the previous season are released into your blood for release as part of a seasonal cleanse. Watch out for the seasonal cleanse programmes offered here each seasonal change.
5. Take Maharishi Amrit Kalash daily
This two-part formula consisting of Nectar paste (MA4) and Ambrosia tablets (MA5) is the most important food supplement provided by Maharishi AyurVeda. Although both preparations are holistic in nature, the Nectar particularly targets the body’s intelligence and the Ambrosia targets the mind. They can be taken alone but Ideally, they are used together to help protect and bring vitality and strength to both mind and body.
Wishing you the bliss of a life well lived in 2020.
Linda Sinden, Maharishi AyurVeda Consultant
Linda Sinden has been a practising Maharishi AyurVeda Consultant since 1990 and is a regular contributor to our health articles. She has a practice in Auckland, New Zealand and also provides phone or Skype sessions for those who need assistance, but don’t have a consultant in their vicinity.
Email: lindasinden@orbislife.co.nz
Mobile: +64 212237525
Skype: Linda.Sinden
DISCLAIMER: The information in this document is presented for the sole purpose of imparting education on Maharishi AyurVeda and neither the information nor the products are intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant or lactating, please consult a health professional and it is recommended that you speak with your physician before making significant changes to your diet or routine.