In India, 52 percent of all cardiovascular deaths occur before the age of 70, and heart attacks kill 1 individual every 33 seconds in the country, according to the Times of India. This rising epidemic has also won India the reputation of being the world’s coronary city.
A holistic approach to heart health, according to ayurveda, allows you to nourish the emotional heart as well as the physical heart. The heart is not just a pump, it’s all emotions’ fountain head, whether it’s joy and enthusiasm or sorrow and anger. The emotional heart can be broken by mental and emotional stress.
According to Ayurveda, the heart is the seat of prana (life energy) which is preserved by a delicate balance of agni (the factor of solar energy) and soma (the lunar energy element). Soma in the heart wastes away excess mental and emotional tension. The heart is also the seat of ojas, the material inside us that preserves life and promotes happiness and longevity. Ojas, the finest by-product of digestion and the master coordinator of all mind and body operations, contributes to bliss, happiness, vitality and longevity. Ojas improve inner strength and poise and the cultivation of good attitudes and emotions. It is important to encourage both soma and ojas in order to protect and nourish the physical heart and the emotional heart.
Although it is vital to prevent the emotional heart from wasting away from unnecessary stress, consistently pursuing mental and emotional well-being can help the emotional heart flourish such as-
1- Sooth the tension away
Spend time on the things that give you contentment and satisfaction every day. Enjoy serene natural beauty, practice uplifting aromatherapy and drink calming herbal teas. Listen to soothing or uplifting songs. Maintain a good outlook and walk away from conditions that cause anger or depression.
2- Eat clean and mindfully
Eating a heart-friendly diet is arguably the most important step you will take towards cardiac health. This is also arguably the most challenging step to take and sustain for a culture accustomed to fast food and dining on-the-go. But in order to make your diet better for the heart, there are little things you can do. Eat more fresh fruit and vegetable servings; start your day with stewed apples or pears; include in your diet soaked blanched almonds; dress your vegetables with fresh lime juice; and eat heart-friendly spices such as fresh black pepper and power-spice turmeric antioxidants.
Over packaged foods or leftovers, choose fresh foods; light foods over rich, deep-fried ones; and hot, cooked foods over cold, heavy foods. The way you eat is as critical as what you eat for heart health (and general health). Eat moderately, what suits in your two cupped palms is the perfect ayurvedic “portion”. Do not miss meals, because eating three meals a day “trains” your metabolism to predict and digest your food at regular times.
Use ginger, salt and lime to improve slow digestion. Have lassi, made with lunch by mixing one part of fresh yogurt with three parts of cool water. Spike it for spice with roasted ground cumin and fresh cilantro. By dining late at night or eating a heavy meal at dinner, do not tax your digestion. Arterial plaque is a toxic matter that builds up in your blood vessels because it can not be easily eliminated by your physiology. With every change of season, Dharana suggests an internal detox program to help your body flush out Ama.
Drink plenty of hot water in the daytime; go to bed by 10 p.m. Eat a lighter diet rich in fiber and antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts, and avoid narcotics, alcohol and smoke, to help the body cleanse itself during the natural purification time.
4- Exercise-
Exercise five days a week, you do not have to do a strenuous workout. Regularity is the secret. You can exercise every single day without straining your muscles if you obey the ayurvedic concept of balaardh, exercising to half your capacity. For anyone, walking is an excellent exercise and also an excellent therapy. For a 30-minute stroll, the early morning is perfect. Not only will it strengthen your heart; it will prepare you for the day by charging up your circulation and your metabolism.
5- Sleep Schedule-
Sleep deficiency has been related to problems with blood pressure, stress and other factors that raise the risk of heart disease in clinical studies. In preserving health, Ayurveda considers sleep to be just as critical as diet. Practice healthy bedtime habits when bedtime draws close, preferring restful, relaxing activities to help separate the mind from the senses. Keep away from distractions in your bedroom: television, laptops, other work-related content. Keep the temperature comfortable. Wear cozy, organic pajamas made from cotton. In the evening, stay away from stimulants. Go to bed by 10 p.m. Act to keep you safe and energetic during the day, early to bed and early to rise.
Dharana Wellness Centre, a wellness retreat near Mumbai, focuses on holistic health which includes physical, mental and spiritual balance. One of the key ideologies of this eco wellness retreat lies in the holistic approach. As an Ayurvedic healing center in India, Dharana combines the use of an integrative, modern approach for holistic health with Modern diagnostics with traditional practices like Yoga and Ayurveda to ensure a sustainable wellness journey.
