As a holistic approach, Ayurveda influences all areas of life. Of course, it is not primarily a matter of gender, but rather of the individual body and mind of a person. However, there are a few small aspects that only affect the male body and can be influenced by Ayurvedic methods. We have summarised "Ayurveda for men" here for you!
What does Ayurveda do?
In Ayurveda, it is assumed that every person has a certain constitutional type. The three doshas - kapha, pitta and vata - are pronounced differently in each of us. Irrespective of this, a man's life is said to be divided into three energy phases: Youth is characterised by Kapha, middle age is dominated by Pitta and old age is Vata time.
Of course, this development does not have to be as linear as it may sound. As a man, however, you can certainly promote your physical and mental health if you adapt your lifestyle to your dosha.
At this point we would like to point out once again that conscious living according to Ayurveda teachings is, of course, just as little a "man's thing" as a "woman's thing". Stress, everyday worries, tension etc.: After all, both men and women suffer from all these factors.
What does "Ayurveda for men" mean?
Perhaps you are now asking yourself where the big difference lies. Quite simple: First and foremost in a physical aspect, because the male prostate can be positively influenced by Ayurveda.
In order for men to remain healthy in all phases of life, i.e. to keep body and mind in balance, the following points are of great importance:
- Exercise to a reasonable extent
- A diet that is aligned with one's own dosha
- Sufficient liquid
- Enough sleep
- Awareness of prostate health
The prostate is a Pitta organ. Its fiery constitution needs to be soothed, for example through yoga exercises for improved lymph flow and an appropriate diet. An Ayurvedic lifestyle thus makes an important contribution to men's well-being by preventing prostate problems, among other things.
These can arise when the metabolism no longer functions well and the digestive fire Agni is significantly weakened. So what can a man do to feel fully well and healthy at any age?
Nutrition
It is also good for men to follow the basic principles of Ayurvedic nutrition. In concrete terms, this means: three (warm) meals a day and longer breaks without snacks in between, so that the Agni can be fully active at the main meal times. In addition, it is important to have a nutritional concept that is attuned to one's own dosha and additionally promotes the digestive fire.
Of course, it is equally indispensable to drink enough. Better than cold drinks are those with a lukewarm or warm temperature. There is a wide range of Ayurvedic drinks to choose from. How about a glass of ginger or rice water, for example?
Point number 3: As a man, you can support the digestive fire Agni by avoiding very spicy, hot, salty or acidic foods. Foods like grapefruits, garlic, onions, sour cream or buttermilk stimulate Pitta. And the more active the pitta, the more "fiery" the mind becomes. In other words, you become irritable and stressed. Pitta, on the other hand, can be calmed with foods such as coconut oil, pumpkin seeds and linseed.
Body care
Those who regularly take a little time for body care and consciously do something for themselves in this way feel better. Nurturing and relaxing measures are also part of Ayurveda for men.
One such relaxation measure can be an (oil) massage, for example. Of course, this can be done by a trained expert, but in principle, each of us can easily provide ourselves with a short time-out in between.
All you need is a little liquid oil, for example coconut or olive oil. Massage the oil into the temples and scalp with slow, circular movements and gentle pressure. Allowing the oil to work overnight is particularly soothing for the scalp and hair follicles, so that the hair receives important nutrients and the unloved hair loss that many men have to struggle with as they age can be prevented.
Physical and mental health
We can only be really well if we take care of both our physical and mental health. For example, make sure you give your body enough sleep so it can regenerate. The best way to do this is to develop a routine of getting up early and going to bed before 10 pm. By the way, it is also very important to put your smartphone to one side in good time.
As far as the exercise factor is concerned, it doesn't necessarily have to mean that you work hard every day. After all, constant overexertion means stress for the heart and muscles. How about a few minutes of yoga instead? Contrary to popular belief, this meditation technique is definitely a great way to consciously take a little time out from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and not just for women.
By the way, silent meditation and pranayama breathing exercises such as abdominal breathing also have a calming effect. To do this, place the flat of your hand on your belly and consciously breathe into this hand. This feels very different from the superficial chest breathing that we usually tend to do.
If you integrate relaxation techniques like these into your everyday life and adjust your diet a little - or perhaps a little more - you will soon notice that you can indeed actively do something against stress and bad feelings. After all, the Ayurvedic way of life is not just a "medicine" that you can use against a certain ailment. Rather, it brings inner balance and health on many levels - regardless of whether you are male or female.
