The benefits of regular exercise are so extensive, and they go from mental health improvements such as: reducing stress, anxiety mental fatigue, insomnia, cognitive decline, improving focus, memory cognition, neuroplasticiy, wellbeing, to physical advantages like, strengthening of bones, joints, cardiovascular system, metabolism, immunity. Phew, that was a long list!
But don't get too carried away! Too much exercise can also hurt you in the long term. I'll explain:
😅 How much is too much?
According to the ancient vedas and traditional Chinese medicine, when we constantly exert ourself beyond our capacity, we're drawing from a vital essence that cannot be replenished. In Ayurveda this essence is called Para Ojas and in Chinese medicine, kidney essence. Think of this essence as being the wood that is burned by a fire (physical exertion) We have a limited amount of that wood, and when we burn it too much and too quickly, we start to develop geriatric illnesses like rheumatism, osteoporosis, arthritis, dementia earlier and earlier in life.
A simple way to know if you're overdoing it at the gym is to notice how you feel afterwards: if you work out for 1 hour and feel completely depleted, you should reduce the time and/or intensity until you don't feel that fatigue, then, you cut that time in half. So one should exercise to half of their capacity.
🏋🏾♀️ Working out according to your body type (dosha)
Read: What's your dosha?
💨 VATA benefits from structured moderate exercises and avoid too much fluctuation, such as HIIT work outs, which should be avoided. Too much variation may increase vata-related issues such as anxiety, lack of focus.
🔥 PITTA should favor moderate, non-competitive types of exercises. Avoiding heat exposure and anything that may cause emotional stress or anger as it increases pita-related issues.
🪴 KAPHA can enjoy moderate to strenuous types of exercises, 6 X per week, to benefit their sluggish, slow moving systems.
🏃🏽♂️ Other considerations
🧠 Cardio exercise is crucial for the production of important neurotransmitters such as serotonin, so if you suffer from mental health related to diminished neurotransmitters try to get about 10 minutes of strenuous cardio 5x per week.
🍲 Be sure to get get proper nutrition, balanced proteins, carbs and fibers and plenty of phytochemicals and antioxidants.
🧘🏽♂️ Stretching regularly is as important for musculoskeletal health as muscle strengthening
🧖🏿♂️ Remember to take 1 day in the week to rest and recharge.
To a balanced life!
Namaste,
Grazie Prokopetz, Doctor of Ayurveda
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