Ritucharya is a concept in Ayurveda that emphasises seasonal lifestyle practices to maintain health and well-being. This holistic approach entails adjusting daily routines, dietary habits, and activities in accordance with seasonal variations, fostering harmony with nature's cycles. The essence of Ritucharya lies in attaining a balance between the body's internal equilibrium and external environmental shifts. Leveraging Ayurveda's commitment to sustained, consistent, and comprehensive lifestyle management, it offers a steadfast approach to managing weight during the summer months.
Seasonal Ayurvedic Practices Ritucharya Tips For Weight Loss
We spoke to our expert Dr Reji Raj, General Manager and Senior Ayurveda Physician at Amal Tamara, Alleppey to shed light on seasonal ayurvedic practices ritucharya tips for weight loss. Here is what he shared with us.
1. Early Rising
Ayurveda emphasises waking up at brahma muhurtha, 1.5 hours before sunrise. This practice helps synchronise with the body’s natural rhythm and enhances metabolism.
2. Regular Exercise
Practising yoga or vyayama (exercise) according to one's physical capacity, helps maintain health and shed unwanted fat. These exercises make the body light and fit, stimulate digestion, improve circulation, and maintain a healthy weight.
3. Mindful Eating
Eating with awareness, such as chewing food slowly, aids digestion and prevents overeating by allowing time for satiety signals to register, fostering a healthier relationship with food and supporting weight management.
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4. Meal Timing
It is essential to tune into your body's hunger cues and consume food only when genuinely hungry, taking into account the unique variations in digestive metabolism among individuals. Additionally, it's advisable to refrain from eating late at night, as this can disturb the natural digestion process.
5. Herbal Remedies
Incorporate the regular intake of Triphala churna, a mix of Amla (Indian gooseberry), Haritaki (Chebulic Myrobalan), and Bibhitaki (Belleric Myrobalan), to support digestion, detoxification, and weight management. Guggulu is another supplement, derived from Indian bdellium resin, renowned for lowering lipids and increasing metabolism.
6. Stress Management
Managing stress and reducing anxiety levels can help overcome issues related to weight management. Relaxation techniques like pranayama and meditation, along with deep breathing and yoga nidra, can calm anxiety levels, prevent emotional eating, and support weight loss.
7. Adequate Sleep
Prioritising a consistent and restful sleep routine is important as a good night's sleep correlates with functional appetite and metabolism. Aim for a minimum of eight uninterrupted hours of sleep each night, allowing the body to undergo crucial processes such as hormonal regulation and cellular repair.
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8. Hydration
Incorporate beverages like ginger tea, lemon water, green tea, mint tea, pepper tea and tulsi water, aloe juice, amla juice, and cinnamon tea to support weight management.
9. Udvarthana Massage
This herbal powder massage enhances circulation, improves lymphatic drainage and helps reduce accumulated fat, exfoliates the skin, and enhances radiance.
10. Detoxification
Periodic cleansing practices like panchakarma can eliminate toxins and assist weight management. Procedures such as virechana, nasya, vamana, and vasthi are commonly opted for this purpose.
A Final Word
Ritucharya offers a holistic approach to managing weight during the summer months by aligning lifestyle practices with seasonal changes. Ayurvedic principles guide us towards early rising, regular exercise, mindful eating, and proper meal timing to support digestion and maintain a healthy weight. Herbal remedies, stress management techniques, adequate sleep, hydration, massage therapies, and detoxification practices further aid in achieving optimal weight and overall well-being. By embracing these principles, we can foster harmony with nature and promote lasting health benefits.