Navigating autumn’s hidden health challenges

THE maintenance of balance among the various constituents of the body greatly depends on one’s dietary habits and the routine that one follows.

- 

One who resorts to a balanced diet and regimen in accordance with changing seasons and his own prakriti, can rarely fall sick.

Summer heat is drying and stressful on the body, causing dehydration and loss in strength. Intake of rose, sandalwood and khus in the form of sherbets helps to regain the strength.

Autumn is the season of purification. Sweet, light, cold and bitter foods are to be taken in proper quantity. One should also avoid taking fat, oil and meat (of aquatic and marshy animals), alkaline salt preparations and curd in this season.

When weather changes trigger pain

Joint pain in autumn is common, not because of age, but because of swelling in soft tissues due to falling air pressure and reduced internal lubrication.

Ayurveda attributes this to a disruption in the flow of prana due to blockages and the drying up of sukra, which normally cushions and lubricates joints.

Yogic practices, especially six-joint rotations: neck, shoulder, wrist, hip, knee and ankle, which when performed with internal awareness of the joints, keeping the eyes closed and synchronising with the Ujjai breath, help in strengthening the joints.

Each joint needs to be rotated seven times in one direction, and seven times in the reverse direction. All rotations are to be performed without straining any part of the body. These rotations are effective in restoring balance.

The allergy battle