My grandmother would check her blood pressure several times a day. Her worries would multiply with each check. For months she would be ill. It was not an acute bodily condition but an emotional and mental illness. How to cure such mental illness is quite dicey.
Define illness according to WHO
World Health Organisation (WHO) says, “Illness is defined as the ill health the person identifies themselves with, often based on self-reported mental or physical symptoms. Sometimes, this may mean only minor or temporary problems, but in a few cases, self-reported illness might involve serious health problems or acute suffering.”
We introduced my grandmother to The Art of Living Online Meditation and Breath Workshop, after which she started recovering from her months-old illness. These are the ways she practiced in her illness.
1. Do pranayam, meditation and yoga
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, “Medical science says that all the cells in the body are replaced within 1 year. This means we have a high chance of curing illness. But still, cells with illness remain unchanged as the memory gets stuck to the cells. If the memory changes, these cells also change. It happens with pranayam, meditation and yoga. Medicine and knowledge bring changes. Sometimes, the mind clings to the events of the past and impacts the cells of the body. With a change of mindset, the body also changes.”
Breathe right to boost immunity and keep illness at bay.
2. Have positive thoughts
Gurudev says, “Whatever you put attention on will start manifesting in your life. Intention, attention, manifestation; that is how the universe works.” If you keep thinking about your illness, it manifests. It is an ‘illness anxiety’ disorder. Go for a thorough check-up. If there is something urgent, follow your doctor’s advice. Else reinforce, “I am fine. The Divine is looking after me well.” This is a way to cure your illness with your mind or will-power.
3. Good food habits
Good food habits are for good health, improve immunity and prevent illness. Include as many colors as you can on your plate for each meal. Add green leafy vegetables, carrots, brinjal, and fruits to your daily diet. Include all six types of tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, pungent, astringent) at least once a day. Intake enough proteins daily. If you're regular in your exercise regime, increase the amount of daily protein intake. Chew each bite 30 times on average so that the food becomes a semi-solid paste and is ready for the stomach to do its digestive magic. Sip water and other liquids, roll them around in your mouth and then swallow. It activates saliva, which contains digestive juices.
4. Wake up during Brahma Muhurta
Brahma Muhurta is the perfect period for spiritual practices.
It starts 1 hr and 36 mins before sunrise and ends 48 mins before it. This period is considered magical to be awake, meditate, and do light exercises or stretches to accumulate cosmic energy within you. It is the best way to uplift yourself from feeling any illness.
When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘We’ even ‘illness’ becomes ‘wellness’.
Written by: Pratibha Sharma
Reference link
Constitution of the World Health Organisation
Related links
Health Tips by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
FAQs
Diseases are diagnosed by medical experts, whereas illnesses are self-diagnosed. Diseases are usually associated with an organ-like infection and cell degeneration. Illness is related to an individual like the feelings of fatigue, weakness and pain.
Using turmeric, alkaline water, spinach, bitter gourd, drumstick leaves, pumpkin, curry leaves, lemon, yogurt, tulsi and amla in your diet can combat illness.
