Unhealthy Habits Ruining Your Life?

Unhealthy Habits Ruining Your Life? Ayurveda Can Help Reset You

Continuing the conversations between Scimmione, a curious monkey, and Dr. Poonam, an Ayurvedic expert

🦍: [swinging into Dr. Poonam's office, Smartphone in one hand ] Namaste, Dr. Poonam! Sorry I'm late again. I was up all night watching those human TikTok videos you warned me about.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  [smiling warmly] Namaste, Scimmione. I see your Vata is particularly disturbed today. How are you feeling after another night of screen time?

🦍: [scratches head vigorously] My mind feels like it's swinging from branch to branch without ever resting. And my stomach... [makes uncomfortable face] Let's just say those late-night banana sundaes aren't working out for me anymore.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  I recall during our last session we discussed your predominantly Vata-Pitta constitution. Remember how we talked about Vata governing movement and Pitta governing transformation?

🦍: [nods eagerly] Yes! And you said my Vata tendencies make me naturally curious and active, but also prone to anxiety and digestive issues when out of balance. Which explains why my troop always tells me I'm the most restless monkey in the jungle!

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Precisely. And how have those balancing practices been going that we discussed last time?

🦍: [looks sheepish, scratches behind ear] Well... I tried the warm sesame oil massage for three days, but then I got distracted by a new fruit tree that sprouted near my tree house. And the regular meal schedule? [laughs nervously] Let's just say I still grab whatever fruit catches my eye whenever I feel like it.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  [nodding understandingly] Changing habits is difficult, especially for someone with your natural vivacity. But remember what we discussed about ritucharya—living in harmony with nature's rhythms?

🦍: [brightens] Oh yes! Like how I should be sleeping when the other jungle animals sleep instead of watching human videos! And eating fresh foods in season rather than those processed banana chips I've become addicted to.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  I'm glad you remember. Today I'd like to focus on how these disrupted rhythms might be affecting your overall well-being. You mentioned digestive discomfort?

🦍: [places hand on belly] It's terrible! Some days I'm swinging from tree to tree with no problems, and other days I feel so heavy and bloated that I can barely climb! And lately, I've noticed I get this burning sensation after eating certain fruits.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  That burning sensation suggests a Pitta imbalance, which makes sense given your constitution. In Ayurveda, we say "agni"—your digestive fire. Remember? We Talked about it Here —needs to be in proper balance. Too weak and you can't process food properly; too strong and it causes inflammation and acidity.

🦍: [thoughtfully] Like how sometimes I feel sluggish after eating too many sweet fruits, but other times I get that burning feeling after the spicy human snacks I occasionally... borrow.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  [raises eyebrow] Exactly. The sluggishness indicates kapha accumulation, while the burning indicates excess pitta. Given what we know about your constitution, let's refine your approach to eating.

🦍: [sits cross-legged, suddenly attentive] I'm listening. The elder monkeys in my troop are all so balanced and healthy into their old age. I want that too.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  The elders likely follow natural rhythms without even thinking about it. First, let's address when you eat. You mentioned eating whenever something catches your eye?

🦍: [nods] That's the monkey way! See fruit, eat fruit!

👩🏽‍⚕️:  While spontaneity suits your nature, your digestion would benefit from more regularity. Since we've already established you have strong Pitta in your constitution, your strongest digestive fire occurs midday. What if you made lunch your largest meal?

🦍: [considers] The sun is highest, I'm most active... that makes sense! The elder monkeys do seem to rest and digest in the early afternoon.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Precisely. Now, about those late-night banana sundaes...

🦍: [interrupts] I know, I know! We talked about Doshas (here); how eating late disrupts sleep, which further aggravates Vata. But they're so delicious! [makes pleading eyes]

👩🏽‍⚕️:  [smiles] I'm not suggesting you give them up entirely. Ayurveda is about balance, not deprivation. Perhaps enjoy them occasionally as a special treat, earlier in the evening? And remember our discussion about the qualities of foods—how certain foods have heating or cooling energies regardless of their temperature?

🦍: [excitedly] Yes! Like how bananas are actually cooling even though they're sweet! And you explained that considering my Vata-Pitta nature, I should favor slightly warming, grounding foods when Vata is high—like cooked fruits and grains with warming spices. But cooling, lighter foods when Pitta is aggravated.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Your memory serves you well! How about we build on that knowledge and create a daily routine—dinacharya—that specifically addresses your current imbalances?

🦍: [jumps up eagerly] Yes! But... [deflates slightly] ...I'm worried I won't stick with it. We monkeys aren't known for our discipline.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  [thoughtfully] Let's work with your nature, not against it. What if we incorporate playfulness into your routine? Ayurveda doesn't have to be serious to be effective.

🦍: [eyes widen] You mean I can make it fun?

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Absolutely. For instance, instead of thinking of tongue scraping as a chore, consider it your morning greeting ritual—"Hello taste buds, ready for delicious foods today?" And self-massage doesn't have to be methodical; you can dance while you do it.

🦍: [laughs and claps hands] I like that! I could even teach the younger monkeys. They're always mimicking what I do anyway.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  That's wonderful—teaching others reinforces your own practice. Now, let's talk about your sleep issues more specifically.

🦍: [groans] The elders always say I've never slept properly, even as an infant. Now with these human devices... [waves smartphone] ...it's worse than ever.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  In our previous sessions, we identified that your Vata nature makes you susceptible to sleep disturbances. The blue light from that device exacerbates the problem by reducing melatonin production.

🦍: But I've tried putting it away! As soon as I do, my mind starts racing about all the fruits I need to gather tomorrow, whether that leopard I saw is still around, if the rainy season will start early this year...

👩🏽‍⚕️:  This is classic Vata overthinking. Remember we discussed Abhyanga—oil massage? Regular practice can dramatically reduce these racing thoughts.

🦍: [nods reluctantly] I did notice I slept better those three days I tried it. And the elders do groom each other every evening before settling down...

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Exactly! That grooming serves a similar purpose—it's calming and ritualistic. But there are other Ayurvedic approaches we haven't explored yet. Have you heard of Shirodhara?

🦍: [looks confused] Shiro-what-a?

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Shirodhara is a deeply relaxing therapy where warm oil is poured in a continuous stream on the forehead, specifically on the "third eye" area. It's particularly effective for calming the mind and nervous system.

🦍: [intrigued] That sounds amazing! Like warm raindrops on my forehead?

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Very similar! It's one of many Panchakarma therapies—Ayurveda's deepest detoxification and rejuvenation treatments. While you might not be able to perform full Shirodhara on yourself, applying warm oil to your head before bed can have similar calming effects.

🦍: [thoughtfully] The elder monkeys sometimes find clay after rainstorms and put it on their fur... they say it draws out impurities. Is that like what you're describing?

👩🏽‍⚕️:  [impressed] Your elders are wise! That's very similar to the Ayurvedic concept of pulling toxins or "ama" from the body. Clay can indeed absorb toxins through the skin. In Panchakarma, we use various methods to draw out deep-seated toxins from tissues.

🦍: [excitedly] So my troop has been practicing Ayurveda without knowing it!

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Many indigenous practices align with Ayurvedic principles because they developed from direct observation of nature. That's the beauty of Ayurveda—it's not about following rigid rules but about understanding and working with natural laws.

🦍: [more serious now] Dr. Poonam, I really want to feel better. The elders seem to have so much... what did you call it last time? Ojas?

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Yes, ojas—the subtle essence that governs immunity, strength, and vitality. Building ojas takes time and consistency. But given what we know about your Vata-Pitta constitution, even small changes can yield significant improvements.

🦍: [determined] I'm ready to commit this time. What's the most important thing I should focus on?

👩🏽‍⚕️:  For you, establishing regular rhythms would create the foundation for everything else. Wake with the sun, eat your main meal at midday, engage in moderate activity when Vata naturally rises in the afternoon, and begin winding down with sunset.

🦍: [nods thoughtfully] That doesn't sound so difficult. The whole troop generally follows the sun anyway—except for me with my late-night video watching.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  Exactly. And while we've focused on daily rhythms, remember we also discussed seasonal adjustments—ritucharya. As we enter the rainy season, which tends to increase Vata, you'll want to emphasize more grounding, warming practices.

🦍: [jumps up] Like the warm spiced fruit compote recipe you shared last time! The whole troop loved it when I made it!

👩🏽‍⚕️:  [smiles warmly] I'm glad to hear it was a success. This is how Ayurveda spreads—not through force but through experiencing its benefits firsthand.

🦍: [sits again, contemplatively] You know, when we first started talking about Ayurveda, I thought it was just about herbs and oils. But it's really about everything—how I eat, sleep, move, even think.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  You've grasped the essence of Ayurveda. It's a complete science of life that recognizes the interconnectedness of everything. When you align with these principles, health naturally follows.

🦍: [placing hand on heart] Thank you, Dr. Poonam. I feel like each time we talk, I understand myself better. Even when I don't follow all the practices perfectly, just having this knowledge helps me make better choices.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  That awareness itself is healing. Ayurveda empowers you to be your own healer by recognizing what creates balance or imbalance in your unique constitution.

🦍: [stands and stretches] I think I'll start today. First step: putting this away. [puts smartphone in a small pouch] Second step: gathering those herbs you recommended for my evening tea.

👩🏽‍⚕️:  [nodding approvingly] Perfect. And remember—progress, not perfection. Your natural monkey curiosity and adaptability are actually strengths on this journey.

🦍: [grins widely] See you next week, Dr. Poonam! I'll report back on my progress. Maybe I'll even bring some of those special jungle herbs we discussed for you to see!

👩🏽‍⚕️:  I look forward to it, Scimmione. Until then, may you find balance in each moment.

👩🏽‍⚕️ is an Ayurvedic physician with over 20 years of experience integrating traditional wisdom with modern life. She specializes in helping beings of all species reclaim their health through sustainable Ayurvedic practices.

🦍 is an adult male Monkey who serves as an informal health ambassador in his troop, sharing Ayurvedic wisdom with his fellow monkeys. Since beginning his Ayurvedic journey, he reports improved digestion, more restful sleep, and a newfound ability to enjoy life's pleasures without becoming imbalanced by them.

 

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