When you feel ill at ease and are not sure what exactly is wrong with you, it could be something to do with your body or it could be something to with your mind. Modern medicines treat the symptoms and often do not look into the root cause of a condition. This is where Ayurveda comes in. Ayurveda focuses on bringing a positive change in your body and mind by bringing harmony and balance. It is the science of life that aims to not only cure ailments, but also work to free your mind and body of any negative energy.
What Is An Ayurvedic Cleanse?
An Ayurvedic cleanse aims to eliminate ama (i.e. toxins) from the body. The end result is an improved sense of balance and an overall sense of wellbeing and health. So how is it done? The first and foremost thing is to identify one’s body type. One’s body type is referred to as a dosha in Ayurveda, and there are three main doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. Depending on which of these doshas is dominant in your body, an Ayurvedic cleanse will be custom designed to suit your body’s need.
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When Should You Do It?
While you can do an Ayurvedic cleanse to keep your overall health at an optimum level, there are certain signs and symptoms that indicate that you need to do an Ayurvedic cleanse to rid your body of accumulated toxins. Such symptoms include:
- Feeling lethargic all the time
- Having trouble sleeping at night or waking up in the morning
- Feeling tired and exhausted frequently
- Having trouble concentrating
- Indigestion and other digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhoea, or irregular bowel movements.
- A feeling of uneaseness, like something is not right with your body or mind.
- Extreme cravings for salty, spicy or sweet food.
- Feelings of anxiety and stress
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Any or all of the above mentioned symptoms could indicate a need for you to do an Ayurvedic cleanse.
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Benefits of an Ayurvedic Cleanse
There is a list of benefits to be gained from doing an Ayurvedic cleanse, including:
- An overall sense of wellbeing.
- A balanced state of mind, body and soul.
- Better sleep patterns.
- Feeling rejuvenated and energetic.
- Better concentration.
The Three Stages
An Ayurvedic cleanse consists of three stages – the preparation stage, the cleansing stage, and lastly the rejuvenation stage.
The Preparation Stage
This is the stage where you prepare your body for the cleanse. It involves eliminating caffeinated drinks, sweets and all forms of dairy from your diet several weeks prior to doing the cleanse. And a week before the cleanse, switch to a diet of mostly vegetables and whole grains and do some deep breathing, focussing on eliminating any negative thoughts from your mind.
The Cleansing Stage
The cleansing stage starts with a dose of laxatives and enema to rid your body of accumulated toxins. This is followed by a diet that is specially chartered to suit your dosha. Warm water is to be consumed throughout the day to keep the body well hydrated. The focus is on eating wholesome foods that are free of harmful additives and preservatives. Avoid eating raw food as well as they can be a little hard to digest. Follow a healthy diet and combine it with deep breathing and meditation for 10 days to cleanse your body.
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The Rejuvenation Stage
This is the end stage where you get back to the diet that you followed during the preparation stage. This is the stage where your body has been cleansed and your mind has also started to benefit from the effects of the cleanse. This can be a pretty intense stage where you experience a lot of emotions as your body and mind realign themselves. This stage lasts for about a week and during that time you should make it a point to eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, whole grains as well as drink ample amounts of water.
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If you’re feeling stuck, like as if something is holding you back from living your life to the fullest then you should consider doing an Ayurvedic cleanse. People who do the cleanse report that they feel refreshed and energetic and much more positive than they did before the cleanse. It also helps that their digestion improves and they do not face too many health problems. So with so many mental and physical aspects taken care of, an Ayurvedic cleanse sure seems like a gateway to a healthier and happier lifestyle.