As Ayurvedic lifestyle gained more recognition in the mainstream, as usual, big companies jumped in to ride the wave.
I noticed through people around me and the feedback I received on my articles that people are concerned. They would love to give Ayurveda a try but they get scared that it’s expensive.
Ayurveda is simple. It’s not expensive—in fact it is very affordable. Ayurveda is the most ancient medical system, going back more than 5,000 years. Back then, people didn’t have luxury items the big companies try to sell us. All they had was nature around them and what it had to offer.
You don’t need pricey equipments, fancy foods and supplements, and snack subscription boxes to live a healthy life. In fact, the things people equate with health may do more harm than good.
Ayurveda is all about natural, organic ways in which we can heal our lives.
There are ancient practices in the system of Ayurveda that have added benefit—they are inexpensive too. I collected a few of them that can be easily incorporated by anyone and doesn’t need anything fancy.
Here are few inexpensive and affordable ways to incorporate Ayurveda into your daily life.
1. Tongue scraping
Cleaning the tongue removes food, bad taste, and toxins. This practice has been used in India for thousands of years but recently became very trendy in the West and is even supported by the American Dental Association. Copper tongue scrapers are inexpensive but there’s an even cheaper way: cleaner your tongue each morning with your toothbrush.
2. Water
Tap water does not really cost much but the bottled waters and filtering systems do. You can save your money by boiling your water and letting it cool naturally. There is even a name for “cooked water”—ushna udaka. Traditionally, cold water is thought to reduce the digestive fire (agni) and is not recommended right before eating. Boiled and naturally cooled water does not have this effect, and will balance all the dosha types. Water will also help aid your digestion, and relieve bloating and constipation.
3. Avoid frosty drinks, processed and fast food
Not only will your wallet thank you, but if you invest in healthy fresh options you also benefit to your health. Frosty drinks, processed and fast food clog up your digestion and cause many side effects.
4. Supplements & medication for better sleep
If you suffer from insomnia or just simply are in a phase where you can’t sleep well, instead of buying supplements and medication to help you fall asleep, Ayurveda advises with free improvements.
Waking up before 6 a.m. and falling asleep before 10 p.m. helps to regulate your sleep. Drinking warm milk is also advised and in my experience it works with plant-based milk as well (if it’s unsweetened). Avoid eating spicy food before bedtime. Make sure to avoid excess exercise. There should be no screen time before bed, too.
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Photo: Mae Mu via Unsplash
