Inculcate An Ayurvedic Routine In Your Kids

Children are the future, and letting them imbibe the right values and setting a good example for them is the way to ensure they grow up as healthy individuals in body and mind. Ayurveda believes that every person has their own unique constitution that determines their preferences, traits and personality. It prescribes certain kinds of advice for each type that is the Pitta, Kapha, and Vata. For your children, discovering their Ayurvedic constitution can help guide them towards healthy habits right from the start. Here are a few basic ways to inculcate an Ayurvedic routine in your kids:

1. Early waking: According to Ayurveda, the purest time of the morning is in between 4:30 to 6:00 a.m. It is when energy levels are high, and the mind is in a state of calm and awakening. Teach your children to set a clear routine, waking up early in the morning so that they have ample time to get ready for school. On waking, let them spend 2-3 minutes saying a short prayer to welcome the day, and then wash their face and eyes well with cold water. Encourage them to use the toilet the first thing after this to regulate bowel movements over time. They should also drink a glass of water first thing in the morning as this flushes toxins from the body.
2. Healthy eating: All bodily ailments, according to Ayurveda, arise from imbalances in the doshas. These imbalances increase the buildup of amas or toxins in the body, and cause issues with digestion. According to Ayurveda, processed foods lack the energy and life force of fresh, natural foods and so are not ideal for consumption in large quantities. Encourage your child to reach for a fresh fruit the next time he/she tries to grab a pack of chips. Be creative with presenting raw foods and natural foods to them to make them appealing for them to eat – you could create food in interesting shapes and colours to make it more fun. Some of the healthiest fruits and vegetables you can get your kids to have include asparagus, bell pepper, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, lettuce, mushroom, peas, parsnip, potato, squash, zucchini, salads, apples, banana, dates, coconut and grapes.
3. Healthy minds: Children today have to face a lot of pressures very early on, including school admission tests, increased academic expectations and a lot of extra-curriculars on top of that. In addition, there are the added stresses of bullying and peer pressure that can really demotivate and demoralize a child. Make your child emotionally strong and stable through regular exercise. Exercise is known to release endorphins that enhance energy and mood. In addition, encourage your kids to spend a few minutes everyday focusing on an object to meditate. Meditation slows down the breathing process, normalises blood pressure, relaxes muscles and helps to reduce anxiety and stress.

These are the 3 basic steps you can take to inculcate an Ayurvedic routine in your kids. You will see how much of a difference it can make for them during their formative years. Raising physically and emotionally strong and confident children will help us contribute to a better society.