Failing health systems. Health systems around the world are failing to meet the challenges of caring for the growing number of aging, chronically ill, and mentally ill patents. The specific problems vary from country to country, but mainly involve widespread issues with cost, availability, and quality of healthcare, as well as systemic issues with inequality and health equity. The current healthcare industry model, based on the paradigm of conventional Western medicine, is increasingly seen to be broken – a model that costs too much and delivers too little.

Most medical systems are designed to focus on acute care over chronic care and prevention. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) estimates that only about 4-5% of annual global health expenditures are on prevention, risk reduction, and public health. Meanwhile, recent research on the determinants of health indicates that up to 80-90% of our health outcomes may be due to external and environmental factors. These include economic and housing inequality, neighborhood and city planning, transportation infrastructure, education systems, social and cultural environments, physical environments, and many other factors that extend far beyond the realm of the healthcare system.These “upstream” factors have only recently started to be recognized and understood by public health experts and would require attention at all levels of government in order to address the growing global health epidemic and escalating medical costs.

Adopting a patient-centered and whole-person-centered approach focused on long-term functional status will also help address the current fragmentation of care and help standardize prevention strategies and lighten the burden supported by healthcare systems. Most doctors specialize in a single disease, age group, body part. But preventive medicine doctors take a holistic approach. This means that they focus on the whole patient and the many factors that play a role in their health. This includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it also goes further and also looks at the role of family and community.

The World Health Organization defines Health as “ the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being…and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Knowing what Health is to each of us is the first step in achieving it.

So where do we start? We start right we are, wherever we may find ourselves….In our homes, in our offices, in our schools, in our communities, and in our country. We start by seeking out information and learning what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. We start by learning about food and its importance and impact on our individual health. We start by learning about movement and what is healthy, safe and supportive for each one of us as individuals.

And why not learning by offering ourselves a wellness holiday?

Ayurvedic Daily routine helps in maintaining balance and harmony in your body and nature by regulating your biological clock and advocating a healthy lifestyle. It also helps in proper digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food. The discipline that you adopt in daily routine also improves self-esteem, brings happiness and promotes longevity. We are happy to share with you Dinacharya suggestion from Kalari Rasayana, CGH Earth Ayurveda, one of the best Ayurveda Retreats in Kerala.

Dinacharya, planning the day as per principles of Ayurveda

In Ayurveda they say that a good physician is judged not by how many patients he has, but by the number of healthy people there are in his village. In order to maintain the mental and physical health in our body, Ayurveda lays emphasis on following a certain daily routine or regimen which acts as preventive maintenance for the body.

Waking up in the morning:

Ideally one should get up naturally in the morning without any alarm. Practically, the ideal time to wake up is between 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM, subject to the time zone and the condition of your body.

Morning hygiene:

Our body can be considered as a factory, which is working constantly with the supplies coming in, and products are manufactured and delivered, wastes are removed regularly, and the unit is well maintained. All parts work together towards a common goal. In the morning, we need to clean all the orices of the body – anus, urethra, mouth, both eyes, nose and ears.

Going to toilet:

It helps release the majority of toxins collected in our ystem over the night.

Brushing teeth:

Ayurveda recommends using herbal pastes or powders for brushing the teeth as it helps in reducing dental and gum issues. Avoid using sweet and gel pastes.

Cleaning eyes, nose and mouth:

Wash eyes with clean and comfortably cool water. You can also use rose water or triphala water. For the nose, you can practice Jala Neti with saline water.

Exercise:

You can do Surya Namaskar, yoga asanas, aerobics or a physical activity you enjoy as per your convenience. It is advised to stop exercise before you to start to feel fatigue. Exercise improves the vitality and strength of the body.

Massaging:

In order to stimulate the whole body and all the vital pressure points, massage your body with oil regularly if possible, or at the least apply oil on the head, ear lobes, palms and feet. A proper oil application reduces fatigue, nourishes the skin and reduces vata issues. Those who have a hectic schedule during the week can opt to massage on the weekend. You can use sesame oil, olive oil, almond oil etc as per your body and skin type.

Shower:

Only once you have cooled down after completing your exercise, take a shower as per the weather and state of your body.

If you have applied oil on your body, keep it on for 15-30 mins and wash it.

Plan the day after taking a bath:

Prayer or meditation: You can say a prayer or do light meditation before starting your chores for the day.

Food:

Based on your regular practice, eat up to 3 main meal a day. Eat your meals on time, where your heaviest meal is during the day. If you are hungry in between the main meal, you may take a light snack of fruits, vegetables, nuts or fruit / vegetable juices.

Work & life:

Try to allocate the first half of the day for brainstorming and energy-intensive work. After lunch, focus on follow-ups and other routine work. In the evening, the body needs to shift to a shutdown process. To reduce the fatigue of the daywork, one can do a

short breathing exercise like Pranayama, spend time with family or friends, or something  else which feels rewarding. Take a warm shower or tub bath before dinner. A warm shower normally relaxes the body.

Positive thought and deeds:

Stay positive, avoid listening to negative messages, try meditation and Pranayama for clear and positive mind and thought. Do not engage or spread false news. Reflect on the day passed by highlighting positives and lessons learned with the negatives. Never end the day on a negative note. Focus on your inner sense of well-being towards the night.

Sleep:

Go to bed at the earliest if you can. If there is unfinished work, wake up early and finish it after your morning rituals. Never do it in the night, as much as possible. Night sleep is one of the three pillars of our health and it is called the ‘mother of all elements’. The duration of sleep can change from person to person. The recommended duration of sleep is a minimum of 7 hrs.

All these small acts make you feel that you are doing something for yourself, which will lift you physically, mentally and spiritually.