Tips for 50+ years
Author: Linda Sinden Date Posted:29 May 2019
Want to die young at a ripe old age?
Age is a natural process and not something to be feared. It is one of the many ways to measure life. The great news is you can feel happy, energised and youthful at any stage of life; with the added benefit of wisdom that comes with increased life experiences.
Many components are involved in healthy ageing. Hippocrates, Over 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates summarised the 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".
This definition of healthy ageing is remarkably close to how the ancient physicians of Ayurveda spoke of healthy ageing.
What does Ayurveda say?
Ayurveda explains there are three stages of life with each stage governed by a specific dosha.
Childhold: 0-19 years governed by Kapha Dosha.
Adulthood: 20-49 years governed by Pitta Dosha.
Mature Years: 50 years to age of death governed by Vata Dosha.
At each stage nature guides our experience and expression through the governing dosha.
The Mature Years
Healthy ageing through the mature years draws upon the subtle expressions of Vata dosha. Vata controls movement or motion to guide breathing, blood circulation, passing of food through the digestive tract and the sending and receiving of nerve impulses from the brain. The main seat of Vata is in the colon. Key signs of imbalance include:
- Worries, overactive mind, sleep problems and difficulty breathing
- Dry coughs, sore throats, ear aches and generalised fatigue
- Slow or rapid digestion with gas, intestinal cramps, tendency for poor assimilation and weak tissue
- Intestinal cramps, menstrual discomfort, lower back pain, irregularity of bowel - constipation and gas to diarrhoea, in a changeable manner
- Dry or rough skin, nervousness, shakiness, poor blood flow, and stress-related problems
Maintaining Balance Tips
The Key to restoring or maintaining balance is to apply the opposite of the quality that has become aggravated. For example as Vata is changeable, quick and moving with a tendency for dryness, adopt the following recommendations to help maintain balance of Vata dosha during the mature years
- Accept that you have less resilience than when in Pitta time of life and adopt an easier pace of life, making allowances for more recovery than you may have needed in the past.
- Create a regular daily routine. Go to bed at the same time most nights (prior 10pm) get up at the same time (ideally with the sun), eat at regular intervals and be physically active daily.
- Start the morning at a relaxed easy pace to calm Vata’s tendency for quickness.
- Have an oil massage using Vata massage oil prior the morning shower or bath to counteract the tendency for dryness.
- Favour Vata balancing foods and drinks, including Vata Tea, Vata Churna
- Reduce stress as Vata governs the healthy function of your nervous system. Meditate daily, take time to relax and connect with friends, family and grandchildren.
- Take Stress Relief 2 tablets prior breakfast and 2 tablets at bedtime. This formulation helps the body to adapt to stress and helps balance the body’s production of cortisol.
- Take Youthful Mind to support rejuvenation of the mind, to enhance memory, increase alertness and develop resilience to mental stress, regardless of your age.
- As a general tonic for the mind and body take Amrit Kalash Nectar and Amrit Kalash Ambrosia. Amrit Kalash supports the mind and body at its innermost essential level, is a high potency antioxidant and helps your body reduce inflammation.
Wishing you the bliss of balance during the fun of your mature years!
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Linda Sinden has been a practising Maharishi Ayurveda Consultant since 1990 and is a regular contributor to our weekly Insights. 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 Skype: Linda.Sinden |
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