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Ten Ayurvedic Tips for a Healthy New Year
by Dr. Gowthaman Krishnamoorthy, BAMS, CCN, FSM

Editor's Note from Julie Cerrato: Transitions can be hard. But, we all have the opportunity for a fresh start at the begining of each year to gather ourselves and focus on creating a healthier, more centered you. Dr. Gowthaman Krishnamoorthy starts us off with some helpful Ayurvedic tips to begin our transition in 2012. Eating on time, concentrating on nourishing meals and properly hydrating will all work to improve our digestion, elimination and overall well-being. Wishing you all a happy 2012 and a wonderful fresh start!

Ayurveda, the science of life, has been followed as much for health management as for wellness and prevention of diseases. Ayurveda’s lifestyle principles have been validated by modern medical systems. Let us begin the New Year by following Ayurvedic practices, which can bring health and happiness to the individual and society.

New Year creates an enthusiasm that helps us move away from bad habits, improves lifestyle and drive us towards a new beginning.

Here, we discuss the important steps mentioned in the Dinacharya concept of Ayurveda, which advocates a daily regimen for healthy living. Principles related to the seasons, food and personal practices, and their health and psychological benefits have been modified to suit a modern lifestyle.

Eat on time: Ayurveda recommends a schedule for dining. Skipping breakfast or untimely lunch and dinner lead to derangement of digestion and metabolism leading to obesity, hypertension and other lifestyle disorders. Hence, the first New Year resolution should be to eat on time.

Get more exercise: The importance of physical movement in open air cannot be stressed enough. Unfortunately, we do not move out for physical exercises. Exercising indoors is not as effective as in the outdoors. Clinically, it is proven that outdoor exercises are very effective in calming the mind, improving lung capacity and more importantly providing motivation to continue with the exercise routine.

Focus on your food: This simple habit improves digestion and metabolism, and prevents unwanted accumulation of toxins. Do not watch TV while eating. And, never eat on the run, especially when you are traveling to work, driving, etc.

Drink plenty of water: Ayurveda recommends the drinking of as much as three litres of water a day depending on the season. Other systems of medicine also recommend adequate intake of water to aid in the removal of toxins and to nourish the tissues.

Include proteins in your diet: Get enough protein through cereals, milk products and chicken as part of a healthy diet.

Eat a fruit a day: Add one seasonal fruit a day to reduce seasonal deficiencies and disorders. Traditional and modern nutrition experts recommend fruits instead of juice.

Apply oil before a bath: One of the most effective remedies to detoxify is to massage with oil before the bath once a week. This improves blood circulation and slows down the aging process.

Detoxify: Ayurveda recommend regular detoxifications at the end of seasons. This process helps the body to heal after every season, to drain out the toxins and improve the body’s healing abilities.

Get 10 minutes of yoga per day: Ayurveda recommends yoga and breathing exercises as a part of healthy living. Going one step ahead, Ayurveda suggests a personalized yogic approach based on seasons, age, health condition and nature of the person.

Include antioxidants: Get adequate nutrient supplements and antioxidants daily. This will improve physical and psychological well being.

Introduce these practices gradually and you’ll find them easier to follow.

About the Author

Dr. Gowthaman Krishnamoorthy, BAMS, CCN, FSM, is the cofounder of rvita.com and rVita Integrative heath centers in Chennai, India. A well-appreciated Integrative health expert in the field of Ayurveda and Integrative medicine, he currently works to offer and improve Integrative Telemedicine platform and consultation offerings.
 
Dr Gowthaman completed his BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery) from Sri Jayendra Saraswathy Ayurveda College, Chennai, India (recognized by the Central Council for Indian Medicine, Government of India). Later, he joined as a research consultant for the Center for Indian Knowledge Systems (CIKS) and the Foundation for Revitalizing Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bangalore, for documentation of traditional agriculture, veterinary and human health practices in Tamilnadu and Karnataka. He then became a team member for the National Innovation Foundation for the documentation and validation of Traditional Health Practices across India and was awarded a special medal of honor for his work.
 
In 2008, Dr Gowthaman was hired to create the world's first HD One to One Yoga online service portal www.divinewellness.com. He was also senior consultant of Ayurveda until 2009. In 2009-2010, he completed the Clinical Nutrition Certification program from VLCC and Fellowship program on Sports Medicine from Apollo Medvarsity. In 2009, he joined team rVita - one of the largest portals on Complementary and Alternative Medicine) as Medical Director. He cofounded India's first Integrative Medical Center Chain. rVita Integrative Medical Center in Chennai, offers Integrative Medical services combining Ayurveda, Yoga and diet with modern diagnostics for diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, obesity, non-invasive solutions for heart care and gall stones, cancer, infertility, psoriasis, arthritis, gout, PCOD/PCOS and more.
 
Dr Gowthaman talks on Kalaingar TV (tamil channel, India) each day between 6:45-6:55am about herbs and health. He also works with a special dedicated health program for working women in Radiocity (Chennai based FM) everyday at 12 noon. He has contributed health and wellness articles in Tamil and English magazines in India. Dr Gowthaman works with www.health.sify.com, a dedicated Ayurveda section, where he shares articles, questions and answers and free integrative/Ayurveda consultations for viewers.