Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Health and Wellness! This will remain a hot topic forever. As an Ayurvedic practitioner, my clinic is not just my karmakshetra but also my Kurukshetra. Here, like Arjuna receiving the teachings of the Gita, I gain profound insights into the truths of life. Each interaction with patients is a new experience and a fresh learning opportunity. Through this blog, I aim to share these guiding lessons with you, hoping they serve as a beacon of light in your life too.
The Misconception of Health
Reliance on Medical Reports
I once asked a patient, “How are you?” only to find them dependent on their huge file of medical reports for an answer. Another woman, troubled by severe breathing issues, always relied on an inhaler. Some others depend on pills for sleep, therapists for mental balance, injections for daily vigour and labs for childbirth . In such a scenario, can we be truly called free/independent who are completely dependent on medicine-hospitals despite being free from British oppression?
“Health brings a freedom very few realise, until hey no longer have it”
– Bronnie Ware
The Increasing Health Concerns
Despite scientific advancements, our health seems to be deteriorating, with hospitals multiplying. This indicates a fundamental error in our understanding of wellness. The sight of young children afflicted with numerous ailments further confirms our failure in maintaining health.
During conversations with my patients when I ask how they manage their health daily, some common responses from ‘health enthusiasts’ include:
- A full body check-up every three months.
- Consuming protein-rich food daily.
- Walking 10,000 steps daily.
- Drinking five litres of water every day.
- Monthly visits to the spa for body massages.
- Taking multivitamins.
These responses reveal that our efforts to maintain health are often limited to physical care, offering temporary physical ‘health’ but failing to provide a holistic ‘wellness’.
“Freedom, which is an aspect of health , remains impossible as long as we perceive our bodies as the complete definition of ourselves”
– Lee . L . Jampolsky
Differentiating Health and Wellness
From an Ayurvedic Perspective…
In everyday conversation, ‘health’ and ‘wellness’ are often used interchangeably. However, friends, health and wellness are not the same. Ayurveda, the science of life, explains this distinction in detail. When we open the ancient Ayurvedic texts, we are introduced to a unique concept of wellness. A human is not just a body but a union of body, senses, mind, and soul. Disruption in any of these components results in compromised wellness.
Physical Health vs. True Wellness
Defining Disease and Health
- Disease: A state of discomfort and suffering in body and mind.
- Health: Merely the absence of disease and nothing more
However, wellness goes beyond health—it is the next step after being disease-free. Wellness represents the optimal state of living.
True Meaning of Wellness
Wellness is ‘life in equilibrium’. The Sanskrit term स्वस्थ ‘Swastha’ (wellness) combines स्व ‘Swa’ (self) and स्थ ‘Stha’ (steadily situated).
सुष्ठुस्थितः स्वस्थः /
suṣṭhusthitaḥ svasthaḥ I
In essence it means, true wellness means being firmly established in oneself across all dimensions—body, senses, mind, and soul and being capable of performing one’s duties independently.
Striving for Wellness
Holistic Balance
A strong body without traces of fever, diabetes, or skin diseases does not guarantee wellness if the senses are impaired or the mind is disturbed by excessive desires, anger, or jealousy. True wellness is achieved only when the body, senses, and mind are in a state of harmony and contentment. This balanced state alone provides the joy of freedom, guiding us toward the ultimate goals of life.
The Ultimate Goal of Life
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां आरोग्यं मूलमुत्तमम् I
dharmārthakāmamokṣāṇāṃ ārogyaṃ mūlamuttamam I
Despite various temporary answers, the eternal truth according to scriptures is that the highest goal of life is the achievement of the four Purusharthas—Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desires), and Moksha (liberation). To achieve these goals, the harmonious function of body, senses, mind, and soul is essential. This harmonious relationship is the essence of wellness. Preparing the body, senses, and mind is the first step towards achieving wellness.
The Journey to Wellness
While wellness indeed grants us freedom, attaining, maintaining, and nurturing this freedom requires daily effort. It’s not about occasional exercises or periodic check-ups but a daily ritual of care.
D.V. Gundappa’s words come to mind:
“Freedom is not like a mango or banana; it is like a coconut. We must have the skill to peel its husk, the strength to break its shell, the wisdom to separate its kernel, and the patience to savour it. Only then can we fully experience its taste and utility. Similarly, wellness requires continuous and dedicated effort.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Health is the absence of disease, while wellness is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
True wellness can be achieved by maintaining harmony among the body, senses, mind, and soul through daily practices and mindful living as taught in Ayurveda.
Wellness goes beyond just being disease-free; it represents the optimal functioning and balance of all aspects of life – body,mind, senses and spirit, leading to true freedom and fulfilment.
Ayurveda provides a holistic approach to wellness, focusing on the balance of body, senses, mind, and soul, and offers practical guidance to maintain this balance through daily lifestyle and food habits.
Wellness practices should be incorporated into daily life, rather than being occasional efforts, to ensure continuous and sustainable well-being.
Conclusion
Ayurveda teaches us that ‘destruction’ is a natural process requiring no effort; it is a passive process. However, maintaining and protecting wellness demands our daily diligence. Let’s shift our focus from merely achieving normal ranges on lab reports or weighing scales to experiencing wellness by balancing body, senses, and mind. Remember, wellness means freedom, and freedom signifies self-reliance. May Ayurveda lead us all towards becoming self-reliant and truly well.
Author Bio – Dr. Sadhanashree P.
Dr. Sadhanashree P., M.D. (Ayurveda), is a passionate Ayurvedic physician with expertise in Panchakarma and holistic wellness. As the founder of Arogyavardhini Ayurveda, she blends ancient Ayurvedic practices with modern lifestyle solutions. Dr. Sadhanashree is committed to spreading Ayurveda’s benefits through consultations, workshops, and rural health camps, empowering individuals and communities to achieve optimal health.
About Arogyavardhini Ayurveda
Arogyavardhini Ayurveda is dedicated to promoting holistic health through Ayurveda and Yoga. Led by Dr. Sadhanashree, the clinic offers personalized consultations, Panchakarma therapies, wellness retreats, and community outreach programs, including rural health camps and corporate wellness initiatives.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or treatment plan. Arogyavardhini Ayurveda is not responsible for any adverse outcomes resulting from the application of information found here.
