Tap into your creative spirit with Ayurveda and meditation

The practice of Ayurveda creates balance for each of us in a unique way. It has the potential to revitalize your entire nervous system, leading to increased creativity, greater efficiency, success, and satisfaction in all aspects of your life.

Here are five simple ways to add Ayurveda into your life and tap into your creativity.

1. Nourishing your mind begins with a good daily routine.

Wake up with the sun and start the day with an abhyanga, or Ayurvedic oil massage. Abhyanga loosens and removes toxins from the body and thereby enlivens the flow of intelligence; your mind will feel energized and awake. Have a light breakfast and eat a well-cooked lunch as the main meal of your day, when your digestive fire is at its peak. Follow work or school with a light supper at least three hours before bed, and finish the day with pleasant, relaxing activity before an early bedtime.

2. After practicing your daily yoga asanas, settle into meditation.

When practiced regularly, meditation is proven to reduce stress and balance emotions. The result is heightened creativity and clearer thinking. Meditation is like a “work-in” for your body and mind. Practicing Transcendental Meditation, or the meditation of your choice, is a healthy commitment.

3. Fuel your body and brain with nature’s intelligence: food!

Favor fresh, cooked, organic, non-GMO foods prepared by someone who loves you. To enliven your mind, enhance your diet with:

• Soaked walnuts or almonds (soaking makes them more digestible)
• Sweet, juicy fruits
• Ghee
• Milk

These foods supply your brain with intelligent, easily-digestible protein and glucose, the brain’s basic fuel. If milk is hard on your digestion, add a few pitted dates and a pinch of cinnamon to a cup of almond milk and blend until the dates are ground fine. Serve this brain-boosting “date shake” slightly cool (not cold) or at room temperature.

4. Stay positive.

Positive thoughts and actions have a beneficial influence on your health, while negative behavior can be damaging. “Practice gratefulness, even when you don’t feel grateful,” says Alan Marks, CEO of vpk by Maharishi Ayurveda. Ama — toxins in the physiology — is the root cause of disease and can be caused by or be the cause of negative emotions and behavior.

In addition to consciously forming a healthful routine and eating habits, focus on positive behaviors such as:

• Truthfulness
• Nonviolence
• Calmness
• Sweet speech
• Cleanliness
• Charitableness
• Freedom from anger
• Control of the senses
• Respect towards teachers and elders

Ayurveda calls these behavioral rasayanas — principles for mental, emotional and spiritual health.

5. Be open to what life brings, and adapt to its ever-changing landscape.

Try something different, learn something new, and let your creativity move you onto exciting paths. Being happy and creative is being healthy!