Longevity has been a trending topic since the release of the 2023 Netflix mini-series “Blue Zones” − a term for regions of the world where people live longer than average.
In the Blue Zones, the following lifestyle practices are common: a predominantly plant-based diet, moderate eating, low tobacco and alcohol consumption, purposeful living, strong community and family relationships and low stress.
Unsurprisingly, many of these practices overlap with the teachings of Ayurveda, the “wisdom for a long and healthy life”. Even the wise Ayurveda scholars several thousand years ago were already considering how to age healthily and maintain vitality at the same time.
Factors that can accelerate the ageing process:
- Stress & excessive workload
- Lack of exercise
- Unhealthy food & monotonous diet
- Excessive consumption of stimulants, alcohol, fast food and nicotine
Ayurveda recommends the following 6 Rasayana remedies to promote a healthy ageing process:
From today’s perspective, “Rasayanas” could be described as routines for the immunisation of the organism. According to Ayurveda, these should be applied regularly from the age of 40 so that they can unfold their full effect.
1. A healthy and balanced diet
- Avoid unfavourable food combinations
- Only eat when you are really hungry and fill only 2/3 of your stomach
- Dosha-appropriate nutrition with suitable spices, adapted to the time of day and season. Watch our video on Dosha-appropriate nutrition (subtitles in English) >>
- You will receive our complete Dosha-Guide with foods suitable for Vata, Pitta and Kapha as a freebie when signing up for our newsletter
2. Sufficient and restful sleep
Ayurveda recognises a number of rituals that support the quality of sleep and provides valuable tips on how to adapt your diet to promote sleep.
Read more about “Healthy sleep with Ayurveda” here >>
3. Regular Exercise
- Ayurveda recommends the following types of sports for the Dosha types:
- Vata: Warming, harmonising, flowing − further recommendations here
- Pitta: Cooling, meditative, flowing − further recommendations here
- Kapha: Warming, dynamic, enduring− further recommendations here
- 10-30 minutes of yoga daily, including pranayama
4. Strengthen your own mental health and your relationship to others
A purposeful life, in which we maintain a healthy connection to ourselves as well as to our community as a whole, is key to a long life. To help achieve this, the ten principles of Dharma, the ethical way of living according to yoga philosophy, should be followed − these include, for example:
- Ahimsa (non-violence)
- Satya (truthfulness)
- Asteya (non-stealing)
- Santosha (contentment)
- Tapas (self-discipline)
- Svadhyaya (self-study)
Current findings from the over 80-year-old Harvard Study on Adult Development point to similar conclusions about the connection between healthy relationships and the quality of life and longevity.
In addition, the following mindfulness practices can help you to deal with stress in a healthy way:
- Meditation
- Pranayama
- Laughing yoga
- Strengthening of resilience through Mental Detox Sessions
5. Detox & Cleansing Treatments
Massages and cleanses are part of Rasayanas − which is why a regular Panchakarma treatment is particularly beneficial for a healthy ageing process.
The Ayurveda Parkschlösschen has been offering authentic Ayurveda treatments at a world-class level for over 30 years.
6. „Vitality-Boosters“
In Ayurveda, some foods are ascribed the Rasayana property. Eaten in moderation and with a healthy Agni (digestive fire), they can produce Ojas, give life energy and a healthy radiance:
- Honey
- Ghee
- Almonds
- Dates
- Amla as fruit or nutritional supplement*
- Ashwagandha*
- Brahmi*
- Amrit Kalash* (blend of valuable Rasayanas)
* Disclaimer: Nutritional supplements should only be taken after consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner and should not be used as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet.
Three delicious Rasayana recipes for your to try:
Sources
https://www.age.mpg.de/was-sind-blaue-zonen
https://www.deutschlandfunknova.de/beitrag/blue-zones-wo-die-menschen-am-gesuendesten-alt-werden
https://www.tk.de/techniker/magazin/life-balance/wohlbefinden/glueck-gute-beziehungen-2062406
Leave a Reply