Man is embedded so deep within his daily rigmarole that it is an uphill task for him to break out of the self confined territory he has created. It is common to hear people battling demons like insomnia, lethargy, depression, sluggish metabolism which in turn lead to bigger problems if these are not addressed appropriately at the outset.

Minor aches and pains cause irritation. They are hurdles in daily routine life, which in turn results in an aggravated state of mind and consequently affects not only the person dealing with the pain, but disturbs the peace between family members and in the home. The more personal health is neglected, the more the suffering increases. If such issues are tackled in the onset, then there is almost 100% chance of an improvement in the prevailing condition. Yet people tend to ignore their health and prioritize other activities. It is only failing to care for personal health that delays one’s tasks in the long run. Realizing this fact is vital.

It is a well known and researched fact that exercise has a positive impact not only on the human body but has a profound effect on the mind as well. Exercise is able to solve the above-mentioned problems which are so prominent in this day and age. A healthy mind results in a healthy and active body, with enhanced bodily functioning. This basic reality has somehow been lost in the present era.

Yoga calms, controls and conditions the mind. It is able to halt the myriad thoughts running through a person’s mind and help him relax. Yoga frees him from the trivialities of life. When such a state is achieved it gives him scope to think clearly, positively and creatively.

Yoga calms, controls and conditions the mind. It is able to halt the myriad thoughts running through a person’s mind and help him relax. Yoga frees him from the trivialities of life. When such a state is achieved it gives him scope to think clearly, positively and creatively.

In this stage, man is able to deal with complex situations in a more composed and tactful manner. He is empowered to handle any challenge with relative ease and is less stressed over it. His body and mind are in complete harmony. He is in a state of bliss.

However, time is of essence. It is entirely dependent on a person how he is to find time for himself. It is extremely beneficial and recommended that one follow a dedicated, regular routine of yoga and stimulating exercise. If one is hard pressed with a busy schedule, certain important yet easy exercises can be done at any point. These can refresh the mind and body immediately.

(Please help me elaborate on the following, if you feel it needs expansion)
Deep breathing
Simple stretches
Meditation
Chanting
Adapting a positive lifestyle and mindset positively influences all aspects of one’s life, improving performance at work, maintaining harmonious relations within the home and most importantly peace within.

Diabetes, heart problems, spine and joint issues, asthma, depression are all common occurrences in people’s lives today. At least one member in every family is afflicted by one of these lifestyle diseases and has undergone extensive medical treatment for them.

One of the common factors in all these conditions is the presence of stress and the triggering of autoimmunity in this state. Autoimmunity is when the white blood cells misidentify the protein cells in a certain part of the body as invaders and send signals to the central nervous system to send defender cells and launch an attack on these, causing the specific area to suffer damage, consequently form pus and scar tissue, thereby cause pain or some reaction in the body that contributes in the creation of a serious condition.

We have briefly covered these diseases in this section. For more jargon free information on these conditions please click on ?. We recognize the need for medical intervention in the wake of complications. However, we have included a short note on yogic healing approaches for various conditions after their respective sections.

India has been declared as the diabetes capital of the world by the International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries. The number of diabetes patients has more than doubled from 19 million to almost 41 million in a decade’s time since 1995. It has been predicted that this number will rise sharply to 70 million by 2025. (source - http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/India/India-world-diabetes-capital/Article1-245889.aspx).

These numbers are not so bewildering or shocking considering the kind of lifestyle Indians lead, which is essentially sedentary. Lack of exercise, improper eating habits, and stress are few of the prominent causes for diabetes today.

Heart disease is now known to be the No. 1 killer in both urban and rural India. If all age groups are to be included, heart diseases account for 19% of all deaths in the Indian population (Source - http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/India's+no.1+killer:+Heart+disease/1/92422.html). That is a large number considering the 1 billion strong population of this country. Most of these deaths can be attributed to the unhealthy lifestyles that people lead, mainly in urban areas.

Busy youth opt for convenience and an easier way of living these days. Consumption of junk and processed foods over a long term causes a great deal of damage to the heart and other organs as well. Availability of different conveyance modes have also reduced the amount of walking an individual could potentially do. Given a choice, a young adult would take an elevator or an escalator over walking up the stairs. All these seemingly small things make a significant difference to our lives, yet we neglect to adopt these healthful practices.

We have outlined in brief how a healthier lifestyle can be attained by following simple guidelines.

Diet Control – The Annamaya kosa, the outer most sheath is replenished by food. What we feed the body will exhibit on its health, fitness and strength. To maintain vitality and energy in the annamaya kosha, following a ‘saatvik’ diet is necessary and dropping foods that are ‘tamasik’ by nature and content from the diet is just as important.

1. Cut down on saturated fat intake and moderately consume polyunsaturated fats
2. Eat at proper times and proper quantities, especially important for persons dependant on insulin
3. Include high fibre food in the diet
4. Drastically reduce intake of sugary foods
5. Ensure sufficient intake of vital nutrients like vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals

The Pranayama kosa or the second sheath, is associated with the life force that holds mind and body together, and is discernible with each and every breath the body takes. The following activities with the right breathing technique rejuvenates and unifies the mind and body

1. Cardio activities like brisk walking or playing active outdoor sports
2. Stretching and loosening exercises

The Anandamaya kosa or inner most being is in a state of absolute relaxation when the mind and body is in a restful state. In this case, there are no dreams, no sub conscious, only complete bliss. This state can be achieved by diligently practicing the following techniques:-

1. Meditation
2. Yoga
3. Prayer & Chanting
4. Changing sleep habits

Diabetes is a condition where the glucose levels in the body are much higher than normal. This problem stems from the pancreas, which does not produce sufficient levels of insulin or the cells of the body are unable to utilize the insulin being produced properly.

Energy in the body is created through consumption of different nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and fats. These nutrients are required for the proper functioning of the human body. They are found in different foods and when these foods are consumed, they are broken down into glucose which is released into the blood stream, absorbed by the cells for functioning normally. Excessive glucose present in the blood stream is then stored in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscles. Glycogen is then converted back to glucose when required by the body.

The pancreas is a gland that secretes insulin and glucagon. Insulin uses the glucose produced by ingestion of various nutrient-based foods and converts it into energy. It stores away extra glucose present in the blood stream for future use when required. Likewise, glucagon, another hormone, brings out the stored glycogen, converts it back to glucose and uses it when the body requires energy. So essentially, the pancreas is responsible in maintaining the balance of sugar levels in the body. Improper functioning of the pancreas means that the balancing task it performs would be impacted.

Diabetes is of two types – Type-I (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) & Type-II (non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus). Usually Type-I or IDDM occurs in youth and carries on through the adult life of a person. He/she is entirely dependent on a daily dosage of insulin injections as the quantity of insulin produced by the pancreas is very less or none at all.

Type-II or NIDDM usually occurs in a maturing adult, 40 years plus of age. This type of diabetes can be controlled without insulin injections and needs some amount of discipline in maintaining a proper diet and regular exercise. Obese persons are likely to develop this condition.

Type-I diabetes is caused by heredity or autoimmunity. Hereditarily acquired diabetes is passed on through generations genetically. If a person has diabetes it is likely that he has inherited it through his ancestors and is expected to pass on the condition to his future generations.

As already discussed previously, autoimmunity is when the body’s defence mechanism gets confused and starts attacking friendly cells in the body. White blood cells which constitute the defence system in the human body mistakenly identify and send signals to the guard cells to destroy the ‘enemy’ cells which are actually friendly.

It is believed that stress is the reason behind the autoimmunity phenomenon. The nervous system of the human body is linked with the triggering of autoimmunity. If a person is stressed it immediately affects the nervous system, which sends signals throughout the body of its troubled state. In turn, there are responses from other parts of the body signifying the imbalance created due to the pressure situation. This is what causes the chaos in the defence mechanism of the body and the white blood cells fail to recognize the actual identity of the ‘attackers’.

Placed in a stressful situation, the human body responds by tensing of muscles, increased heart beat, constriction of blood vessels, dilating of pupils, sweating, etc. All these responses use up energy, which is produced by consumption of glucose in the blood.
In stress, there is excessive demand for glucose by the human body and glucagon (released by the alpha cells in the pancreas) brings the glucose out from stored cells to feed the demand. Other hormones released in the human body in stressful circumstances also contribute to the increasing blood sugar level.

In diabetics, there is insufficient insulin to regulate the level of glucose in the body. So in stressful conditions, with lack of insulin, the glucose level remains high in the blood stream and stays high for a short while even after the passage of stress.
The present scenario is such that life is plagued with a variety of epidemics and diseases, psychological and mental stresses. The difficulty of coping with such situations and constant state of unrest, increase the levels of glucose in the blood.

Consuming non nutritional foods (junk food), indulging in unhealthy addictions such as smoking cigarettes and alcohol consumption, complete aversion to exercise, insomnia and emotional imbalances are all a part and parcel of our lifestyles. It is key to introspect and realize the dangers these pose to us in the long run. The sooner the realization the better lifestyle an individual will lead, the more positive transformation one will witness in him and around him.

Diabetes can be controlled with following a proper diet, maintaining a daily routine of exercise, managing stress and medication. Not taking heed to all of these will lead to diabetes spiralling out of control and further complicate health with organ failure, loss of vision, etc. It is of utmost importance that an appropriate health care strategy be formulated for an individual suffering with this condition and ensure that the plan be followed as a permanent routine.