Ayurveda is the oldest known medical science, having survived for millennia due to its unique yet effective wellness-based approach to health. Preventing disease, promoting health and prolongation of life are the main goals of Ayurveda. It is believed that treating individual as a whole is essential for the health of the wider community. As such, Ayurveda advocates for not only the physical and mental wellbeing, but also emphasizes the spiritual aspect of health.
Charaka, a well known Ayurveda seer explains health as being in balance in all aspects of our existence. He also emphasizes social wellbeing as your senses being healthy as they are your medium to understanding and internalizing the external world.
In this age, mental health is a growing global health concern. A large proportion of health issues are rooted in the complex mentality of the human mind. Modern technology constantly exposes our minds to negativity as opposed to a gradual exposure to international coverage. As such, we are continuously triggering emotional responses to the information fed into us, voluntary or not.
Additionally, poor lifestyles, significant stress and lack of spirituality are all factors which contribute to an unhealthy mind. To take the time and space, to focus on ourselves individually without external influence is therefore becoming increasingly difficult. Being a consciousness based medical practice, Ayurveda distinctly recognizes that focusing on the “self”, our existential right in itself, is as important of a factor in health as anything else