“Aging can be fun if you lay back and enjoy it.”

– Clint Eastwood

Age was just a number back then, but this COVID ingression changed the whole equation for all those youthful oldies! Staying captive in their homes, elderlies of today’s age are getting to grips with paddling their canoes across these hard times. But hey, what if aging can be fun again like the good old days when the pandemic was not a thing? Yes, you read it right! Ayurveda can emerge as a ray of hope for everyone in trying to switch back to normal.

Let’s get to the bottom of this to understand how this can be possible.

Ayurveda Perspective on Old Age –

Ayurvedic concepts define aging as a long-standing process triggering from the degeneration of Dhatus (cellular elements of the body), resulting in a diminished capacity of the body in carrying out normal physiological functions. This deterioration in health can occur either as a natural process or can be manifested early as a result of aggravation of Doshas (bioenergies existing in the form of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in the body, which leads to premature degeneration of the Dhatus.

Factors responsible for premature Aging –

In the current scenario, not only the old olds are getting old, but the young olds are popping up as the new olds in the lieu. Ever thought, what could be the probable factors for this? Let us dig into some common lifestyle mistakes causing you to grow old early!

1. Faulty sleep patterns, diet style, and eating habits along with the dependence on junk and processed food have quadrupled over the past few decades, leading to early aging.
2. Addiction in any way, not just corrupts your body functions but degenerates your body at the cellular levels leading to an eventual system shut-down!
3. Lack of physical activities, sedentariness, and over-dependence on others not only makes you lethargic but increases your possibility of laying hands on a package full of old age problems.
4. Today’s busy work culture and high stress are taking a toll on the health of every class of society. In such a situation, premature aging is the greatest to expect!

Immunity and Aging: Two sides of the same coin –

Aging is a complex process that involves multiple systems of the body. However, the performance and efficacy of each system are governed by the body’s innate defence mechanism or The Immune System. And Ayurvedically, Ojas (the essence of all seven Dhatus of the body) is a common nexus, connecting the dots between the two. When a person ages, the quality of Dhatus and Ojas also begins to diminish. Scientifically, it can be understood from the fact that the production of B and T cells (a variety of fighter cells present in the body) reduces with old age, which is to be blamed for an ill-response against infections.

Lifehacks to hack your system –

Ayurveda’s claim to fame lies in the fact that out of eight classical super-specialities, Rasayana and Jara Chikitsa (Rejuvenative and Geriatric Care) is a speciality specifically dedicated to the Aging! We are enlisting small yet powerful life hacks for elderlies to adopt, which can make their life blissful again amidst the COVID times.

1. Food is the key to health –

Food plays a vital role in the maintenance of health because Dhatus aren’t anything but the outcomes of the food we eat. The right food, if eaten at the right time and in the right manner, can yield astounding effects on the overall existence! So how should one eat the food?

• Plan your meals as per your need and eat at the same time every day.
• Don’t eat unless you feel hungry, as there is no harm in fasting once in a while.
• Keep your breakfast fibre-rich by including lots of seasonal fruits, even if your are diabetic. Because fruits never harm anyone!
• Make lunch as your biggest meal of the day with a balanced diet containing multi-grain chapattis, pulses, rice, and veggies.
• Fill up your stomachs with either Khichdis, Daliyas, Oats, or other easily digestible meals at night.

2. Sleeping early and tight –

The better you sleep, the better your body will respond!

Try to sleep early at night to be able to wake up early in the morning. Also, there is no harm for elderlies to sleep during the daytime but just make sure that there is a gap of at least two hours between your previous meals and a quick nap.

3. Work up your breath –

It is necessary to include some Yogic exercises and Pranayama in the daily routine. It does not just energize the body but increases our immunity by providing sufficient oxygen necessary for the thriving of each cell living inside us!

This season is the right time to incorporate this 30-minute fitness routine in your morning schedule-

• 1 set of Surya Namaskara unless you aren’t suffering from aching joints.
• 8-10 minutes of Kapalbhati.
• 8-10 minutes of Nadi Shodhan or Anulom Vilom.
• 5 minutes of Brahmari Pranayama.
• 5 minutes of meditating on the sound of Aum.

 4. Rasayanas for complete Wellbeing –

Ayurveda has a complete range of geriatric care in the form of the following Rasayanas –

• Your food is the utmost Rasayana your body can ever get, so never compromise on healthy eating!
• Single source Rasayanas – They include seasonal fruits, dried fruits (Figs, Raisins, Berries), nuts (Almond, Walnuts, Cashews), and other medicinal herbs like Amla, Giloya, Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Mulethi, etc. It is advisable to take one at a time.
• Rasayana Formulations like Chywanprasha, Brahma Rasayana, Vasa Avleha, Ashwagandharishta, Triphala, Sanshamanadi Vati, etc. are the great options for strengthening the Dhatus and the immune system if taken under the guidance of a Licensed Ayurvedic Practitioner.