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The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to
Chronic Fatigue
According to Ayurveda there are three main factors involved in the chronic fatigue condition:
1. The balance of the nervous system (called Vata in Ayurveda)
2. The strength of digestion and metabolism (called Agni in Ayurveda)
3. The level of accumulated toxins and impurities (called Ama in Ayurveda)
Balancing Vata and The Key Factors in Rejuvenating the Nervous System
To reduce chronic fatigue we must stop making the lifestyle mistakes that tire and imbalance the nervous system. Then we need to add specific rejuvenative regimens to our daily life that can revitalize and refresh us.
The main behaviors to reduce are as follows.
1. Avoid going to sleep past 10:00 PM. Ayurveda holds that sleeping certain times of day create much more rejuvenation than others. This is part of Ayurveda's emphasis on living in tune with natural law and gaining support of nature. In terms of sleep the time from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM is enlivening Kapha in nature and our physiology. Kapha is more dull and heavy in nature so going to bed during Kapha time supports us going into the rest of deep sleep. After 10:00 PM the Pitta quality associated with metabolism of impurities starts in the body. The Pitta period from 10-2:00 AM is vital for the body to keep itself free of toxins and blockage. If we are awake well into this period we short change ourselves every night on an important self-renewing process and fatigue is the result.
2. Avoid a hectic schedule and irregular lifestyle where patterns of sleeping, working and eating are constantly changing and out of balance. Irregular daily routine of life creates Vata imbalance and is a major factor in preventing natural body rhythms from renewing the physiology. All of nature thrives in regular rhythms including your nervous system so try to sleep, eat and work at roughly the same time each day.
Add the following rejuvenative regimens to your daily life to revitalize your nervous system.
1. Practice regular meditation. I recommend the TM technique because of its ease of practice and scientifically verified results. When the mind takes extra periods of enlivened, inner silence the rejuvenation for the nervous system is great.
2. Practice yoga asanas. Yoga asanas unwinds bodily tension, balances the nervous system and revitalizes mind and body
3. Perform Ayurvedic oil massage (abhyanga) in the morning. Daily morning warm oil massage cleanses and enlivens the physiology and creates greater resistance to fatigue throughout the day.
4. Include high quality oils sauteed in spices in your diet. Nervous system tissue is high in fat content. Ayurveda holds that it is oils that nourish the nervous system. Although we must be careful about overdoing oils some are needed in the diet for a fresh and dynamic nervous system. Please consult your doctor before making changes in your diet.
The best forms of oil for the diet are organic ghee (clarified butter) or organic, extra virgin olive oil in which spices such as ginger root, cumin, black pepper, coriander and turmeric have been sauteed. Pour the sauteed oils into your soups toward the end of the cooking process or sautee vegetables in it.
5. Take a wall or exercise in the early morning rising sun. Vedic science describes how the effect of the rising sun is especially enlivening and energizing to mind and body. A classic recommendation for someone with low energy or depression is to get out in the rising sun as it can change the way you feel throughout the entire day. Since this rejuvenative influence comes form the East the Vedic science of orientation, Vastu, also recommends to
a) position your desk so it faces East when you work
b) enter your house from the East and not other directions if you have an Eastern facing door.
c) sleep in a position where the top of your head points East (an arrow pointing from your feet to your head would point East).
Enhancing Agni, The Fire of Digestion and Metabolism
If our digestion and metabolism are depressed then we will be too. The body and mind cannot be vibrant if we cannot properly process and assimilate our food or remove impurities from the body. As indigested food matter (Ama) accumulates along with excess weight and heaviness the vitality of the body is drained away and lethargy starts to dominate. Following are the main dietary and behavioral recommendations for maintaining strong Agni.
1. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch. At lunch the heat element in nature, the sun, is most active and it enlivens the fire of digestion and metabolism in us. Ayurveda simply says eat the largest meal of the day when your digestion is strongest-at lunch.
2. Avoid eating large, hard to digest meals in the evening. The primary cause of buildup of toxins and excess weight in the West is the habit of eating large meals in the evening. The digestion is lower at this time and we soon will lie down for sleep and slow bodily functions even more.
3. Include Agni enhancing spices in your foods. Fresh ginger root, cumin, fresh ground black pepper, coriander and turmeric are valuable spices for most people's diet.
Tips for Removing Accumulated Toxins and Impurities from the Body
1. Drink hot water throughout the day. Ideally boil water for about 10 minutes in the morning, place it in a thermos and drink it throughout the day. Hot water flowing through your digestive tract and body has a very cleansing and enlivening influence on Agni and energy.
2. Take walks whenever you can. Walking after lunch and dinner is highly recommended. Look at your schedule and make it a priority to get outside and walk whenever any opportunity arises.
3. Do natural internal cleansing regimens in the Fall and Spring. Ayurveda recommends how important it is to cleanse the body of impurities at the change of the major seasons. Ayurvedic cleansing regimens include both in-residence programs (Panchakarma -Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy) and at home programs.
Summary
The conditions which lead to chronic fatigue often develop over many years and cannot be unwound overnight. Be patient, and focus on creating health through taking control of your lifestyle and diet. Energy and vitality increases are a spontaneous side-effect of life in accord with natural law.
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