To truly grow and change, start by accepting yourself as you are, because approaching personal development from a place of self-hatred or ‘subtle aggression of self-improvement’ will limit your progress.
Cultivate a state of radical acceptance for what you cannot change and gratitude for your life, as this mindset relaxes the body, expands your electromagnetic field, and naturally leads to wellness.
Instead of forcing changes through rigid discipline, learn and internalize new behaviors by observing the rhythms and patterns of nature with awe and wonder, which activates the brain’s default mode network for organic change.
Apply the principle of the ‘middle path’ or moderation to all aspects of life, including food and lifestyle, to find equilibrium rather than rigid extremes, as this is a core concept for balance.
Recognize and trust your body’s inherent intelligence and wisdom, as it naturally knows how to live, survive, and be well, and learning its language is key to health.
View symptoms as messengers from your body, providing early warning signs of imbalance before they develop into full-blown diseases, and address them rather than ignoring them.
Strive to maintain a ‘warm and moist’ inner climate within your body, as this is where life thrives for trillions of microorganisms, and identify aspects of your life that create excessive heat, dryness, cold, or stagnation.
Tune into the natural circadian rhythms by observing the rising and setting sun, and slowly begin to replicate these patterns in your daily life to align your body’s internal flow and ‘juices’.
Build a comprehensive toolkit of preventative, battlefield, and repair tools to support your nervous system and manage stress, which is crucial before attempting any major lifestyle or dietary changes.
Engage in daily preventative practices like listening to classical music (e.g., morning ragas), exercise, body massage, breath work, or meditation to create a sense of safety and presence for your nervous system before facing daily stressors.
Employ battlefield tools like humming, grounding by noticing physical sensations, practicing longer exhalations, splashing cool water on your face, or a quick burst of movement to instantly regulate your nervous system when triggered.
Implement daily repair practices such as journaling, legs-up-the-wall pose, foot massages, warm showers, or warm milk, and have crisis repair tools like professional massages, Epsom salt baths, or therapy for when your nervous system is overwhelmed.
Counteract the ‘doing burnout mindset’ by doing less for your health, such as taking more rest days from exercise, as over-optimization can lead to increased stress and jeopardize wellness by disrupting hormones and digestion.
Honor your digestive fire by eating a light, warm breakfast as the sun rises (6-10 am), your largest meal when the sun peaks (10 am-2 pm), and stopping dinner by 6-6:30 pm as the sun sets.
Cook your foods using good fats and spices (like cinnamon, clove, black pepper, cumin) to support digestion, add warmth, and neutralize free radicals created during cooking and metabolism.
Avoid consuming cold beverages, as they can act like ‘refrigeration in your gut,’ slowing down metabolism and compromising digestive fire.
Regulate your water consumption by drinking to thirst, sipping throughout the day (especially in the first half), and opting for warmer or infused water, rather than guzzling excessive amounts.
Start your day with about one cup of warm water infused with a few pinches of dried ginger powder (not fresh) to break down internal ‘slime’ and gently fire up digestion.
Consume a small amount of fermented food, like sauerkraut or pickles, before each meal to act as a ‘fire starter’ and stimulate appetite and the metabolic environment.
If you’ve slept late or need repair, opt for lighter forms of exercise like yoga to slow your breath and body down, keeping you in a parasympathetic state for faster repair.
Massage your body with plain untoasted sesame oil or lemongrass coconut oil for 5-10 minutes before showering to ground the nervous system, aid lymphatic drainage, and protect skin.
After a late night or when feeling stressed, consciously choose slower activities and movements throughout the day to help your body repair and maintain a parasympathetic state.
If you’ve had a late night or are seeking better repair, make an effort to go to bed earlier the following night to help your body catch up on rest.
When your nervous system is overwhelmed, after a late night, or for periodic repair, consider getting a professional massage or a foot massage to aid relaxation and healing.
Practice resonance breathing by inhaling for about 5 counts and exhaling slowly for about 7 counts through the nose, for 5-15 minutes or throughout the day, to instantly relax the body and enter parasympathetic mode.
Drink a warm cup of milk with a few pinches of nutmeg or half a teaspoon of cardamom powder in the evening to tranquilize and ground the nervous system for better sleep.
Protect your skin barrier from harsh water by applying oil before showering and avoid very hot showers, as excessive heat can compromise skin and blood pressure.
Avoid taking very hot showers, especially on the heart and above, as it can damage your skin barrier and negatively impact blood pressure and the body’s thermoregulation.
Opt for wet saunas (steam tents) with your head outside, as steaming helps open pores and allows toxins to move out of the body, unlike dry saunas which are questionable long-term.
Supplement modern medical treatments, especially for critical care and surgery, with Ayurvedic practices for maintenance and to support the body during harsh treatments like chemotherapy.
Before implementing any health changes based on the information discussed, consult with a qualified healthcare provider to ensure it is appropriate for your individual needs.