Vitality means the state of being full of energy. It is person’s ability to live, grow, and develop.
Vitality also refers to having energy and being vigorous and active.
In the physical sense, this vitality refers to feeling healthy, capable, and energetic. Mental vitality is a mental energy to think positively, indicates that a person is in good mental shape and have sufficient mental powers and thinking stamina to cope with problems. It is also known as a state of mental alertness and effectiveness, which enhances efficacy.
Underlying life energy or force
Unfortunately, many people are struggling to find and keep vitality for themselves. They are stuck grinding their way through their work and even day today activities and lacking joy and passion in their life.
The youngsters are always seen to be struggling with this vitality or life energy.
“When we were at your age, our lives were filled with full of energy, enthusiasm, and happiness though we had many responsibilies. Your generation is problematic which always complaints about boredome, fatigue and stress”.
This dialogue is integral part of every conversation between youngsters and elders.
Does this sound familiar?
Fatigue, exhaustion, low energy levels, lethargy, boredom are common complaints seen to be associated with every patient. Everyone is tackling with these obstacles but never thinks about permanent solution.
Introspect yourself, your health with standardised parameters!
Wellness is optimal health and vitality, encompassing physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, interpersonal, social, and environmental well-being.
Balance between all above domains are especially important for having good vitality.
Nadi Tarangini, a sensor-based technology can analyse your Nadi, underlying dosha, metabolic health, emotional wellness, prakruti etc. through different techniques.
The reports generated through above diagnosis can provide insights about all person specific health parameters. Based on reports, lifestyle modifications are suggested to tackle underlying pathophysiology.
Modified lifestyle, diet, exercise, and simple suggestions including seasonal care which are individual specific can enhance your health parameters. It results into state of health harmony which ultimately responsible for good vitality.
The challenges of today’s fast paced world
In the modern world, there are plenty of things that drain our energy. We are constantly on the move, for career achievements, financial goals etc which are creating extra stress both physically and psychologically which ultimately leads into decrease in vitality and energy.
Vitality is strongly associated with general physical and mental health, but it is not a simple relationship.
Research suggests that most things that have a negative effect on physical health or mood also have a negative effect on vitality. Smoking, poor diet, inactivity, and a stressful environment are all negatively associated with vitality and health.
Vitality- An Ayurveda perspective
In Ayurveda, there are three key principles that are direct physiological manifestations of energy and vitality.
1. Ojas – Ojas is the super-fine essence of kapha dosha and of all seven bodily tissues. It is the primary source of vitality, strength, and immunity in the body.
2. Agni – Agni is the metabolic fire that digests food and provides energy to the body and mind—on both gross and subtle levels.
3. Prana – Prana is the vital breath, or life force energy that animates each of us with life. It is also the super-fine essence of Vata dosha.
Different causative factors lead to dosha vitiation which furthermore leads to disturbances in abovesaid entities associated with vitality. The manifestation is different according to individual prakruti and underlying doshasthiti.
Symptoms like constant fatigue, exhaustion, lack of energy, boredom, decreased work efficacy is always associated with decrease in vitality.
Often the root cause of our exhaustion is inappropriate lifestyle and over stress.
There are two kinds of fatigue. It is important to know the difference. In the first case, for example, if you know why you are tired and can recover with a good night’s sleep, then you just need to recommit to a good daily routine.
The other kind of fatigue Is more serious, a medical concern, defined by a feeling of generalized tiredness or weariness and characterized by reduced efficiency and lessened capacity for work. It is considered medically significant if it lasts longer than three months.
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in a typical primary care medical practice, and its cause is often multifactorial. It can require a medical workup, including blood testing.
Factors affecting vitality -
1. Impaired metabolism-
Impaired metabolism is always responsible for decreasing vitality. Digestive fire i.e., Agni is responsible for conversion, assimilation and absorption of food that provides energy to all body part.
When Agni is weak, it can turn the same things into ama, or toxins. Ama has the qualities of heaviness and sluggishness and can make us feel fatigued. It is responsible for reducing physical and mental efficacy affecting vitality negativity.
2. Poor sleep quality -
For your physical and emotional health, sleep is essential. You will probably feel exhausted, irritated, and less productive during the day if you don’t get enough good sleep.
3. Nutrient deficiencies -
Your body needs a range of nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats, to operate correctly. You may experience exhaustion, weakness, or even depression if your diet is deficient in certain minerals.
4. Dehydration -
Numerous internal processes, including maintaining energy levels, controlling body temperature, and removing toxins, depend on water. You can have fatigue, a headache, or dizziness if you do not consume enough water or other liquids. So good Hydration is always associated with good metabolism and hence viability.
5. Sedentary Lifestyle-
Physical activity is not only good for your heart, muscles, and bones, but also for your mood, cognition, and energy levels. If you are sitting for long periods of time, you may feel stiff, achy, or sleepy. Always incorporate more movement into your day including stretches, walk, or do some light exercises for good vitality.
6. Chronic stress -
Stress is a normal reaction to difficult circumstances, but when it persists over an extended period of time, it may be harmful to your physical and mental health. You can have fatigue, mood swings, or difficulty falling asleep if you are continually feeling pressured, nervous, or overwhelmed. This leads to decrease in vitality.
Identifying the symptoms is the main key.
Maintaing health harmony is the key for good vitality. For that assessment of underlying dosha is particularly important. That can be achieved by Nadi Tarangini.
Dosha and its role in affecting individual specific vitality -
- When Vata dosha gets vitiated, you may experience fatigue, anxiety, and dizziness which leads into decrease in vitality. Identifying it at early stage is very important.
- Impatience, irritability, and frustration indicate a burnout situation where Pitta has become aggravated and out of imbalance.
- When Kapha is out of balance symptoms such as lethargy, dullness, heaviness, and depression are often experienced.
Important keys for health harmony
1. Wake up early and meditate every morning to tap into your energy stores for the day.
2. Do some movement to get the fires burning for the day. If it is cold and heavy outside, as in the winter, consider a few minutes of more vigorous exercise. If you live in a climate that is hot, some more gentle movement may be best.
3. Eat for your hunger level in the morning. For a Vata or Pitta, that usually includes a hearty breakfast, but for Kaphas may only include some warm tea or light breakfast.
4. Eat your largest meal in the middle of the day and only eat to your hunger level. This may vary throughout the year, so do not be attached to eating the same amount, or foods, all year.
5. Eat seasonal, fresh foods as much as possible.
6. Do some light movement and calming breathing at the end of the day to restore the energy that you used during the day.
7. Be asleep on regular time to maximize recovery overnight so you feel energized in the morning.
8. Follow a regular daily routine with adequate sleep and rest.
Establishing a consistent daily schedule helps pacify all doshas and promotes a sense of stability and grounding.
The Ayurvedic guidelines for enhancing Energy Levels and Vitality according to Prakruti
VATA:
Eat regular meals of warm, cooked foods with warming spices like black pepper to kindle your internal digestive fire. Always pay attention to hunger and metabolism. Daily massage, nasya etc are helpful in Vata type of people.
Have an evening ritual that allows you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Spend some time each day in stillness and silence.
PITTA:
Have meal on regular time. Try to avoid hot atmosphere, stressful situations. Include milk, Ghee in your food. Do moderate exercise and yoga everyday. Avoid extra spicy and fried food.
KAPHA:
Wake up early, as you will feel more sluggish the later you sleep in. Regular good quantity of exercise is essential preferably at morning time.
Drink warm water throughout the day. Complement food with spices like ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and other spices like to keep your digestion and metabolism fired up.
Fortunately, there is a way to increase your vitality without changing the work that you do. The key is balance.
Finding balance in your life allows you to tap into the energy and passion that has eluded you. Specifically, having balance between the different domains of your life is what increases your vitality.
We spend less and less time on self-care and the things that give us energy, like freshly prepared meals, moderate exercise, and uplifting company and conversation.
Incorporating healthy lifestyle based on Ayurveda principles will help you to maintain your vitality at best level.
