Nutrition, Sleep and Brahmacharya: The Three Pillars of Ayurveda!

Ayurveda has three pillars which are considered to be the basis for a healthy lifestyle. This foundation of the Ayurvedic healing system, if maintained properly, can help take care of that delicate balance within the body which reflects on our overall health and well-being. So what are these three pillars? Let's tell you in detail.

• Nutrition,
• Sleep, and
• Brahmacharya.

Yes, the food that we eat or the nutrition we get, the sleep or the rest we take, as well as the loving relationships we have including our sex life, are what make up the three pillars of the age-old science. Ayurveda says that if these three are balanced in the body, then we not only feel good, digest food better, keep toxins and metabolic diseases at bay, but also help promote Ojas or vitality.

But if these three pillars are not in balance, that's when trouble comes knocking. It could be in the form of something as simple as indigestion or constipation, or something as serious as depression or cancer. One imbalance here leads to various other imbalances in the body and the mind.

Everyone is different and so are our needs. What works for one person may not work for the other. If person A is content and healthy with 6 hours of sleep, heavy meals and abstaining from sex… that does not mean that person B will also be healthy with the same.

So how do we figure out what's best for us? All we have to do for that is listen to our bodies carefully. Slowly and gradually we get to know our bodies better and the balance of our personal energies. Self-evaluation can actually help in figuring out what works for us and what doesn't.

• Eating or Nutrition, also known as Aahara in Ayurveda is very important for us to know. We have discussed in detail about the importance of eating right as per Ayurveda.
• But what about the other two factors – Sleep and Brahmacharya? You'll be surprised to know that they are as important, if not more. In today's day and age we are used to abusing our bodies with stress and chemicals - so the body needs rest, and it needs adequate amount of it to reboot. That's where the factor of Sleep comes in.
• Health is not limited to Nutrition and Sleep alone. We might not consider loving relationships and our sex life as a part of our health program, but Ayurveda says that they are mandatory for a long and healthy life. Not only do they increase the pleasure in life, but also help in relaxing the body, mind and soul.

According to Ayurveda, all these three aspects – Nutrition, Sleep and Brahmacharya should be given equal importance, without a bias. Neglecting any of these can lead to instability and imbalance in life. Not only do they keep a check on our Doshas and the Gunas, but also help us attain physical, mental and spiritual freedom.

So, now that the basics have been explained, let's discuss these three pillars in detail. Stay tuned as next up we will discuss Nutrition or Aahara in detail.