Ayurvedic Guidelines for Eating Well at Work

It is better not to drink tea or coffee at work. If you are thirsty, have some warm water or some fruit juice if you prefer. LUNCHTIME By around noon you will become quite hungry. Have a bowl of soup and some salad, or some rice and vegetables, following the guidelines for your constitution.

And don’t drink too much during your meal. Take a cup of water (preferably warm but definitely not iced), and just take a sip between two mouthfuls of food. Drinking a little water improves digestion. One can drink a cup of water an hour before lunch or an hour after lunch, but not immediately afterward, as that slows down digestion and creates ama.

SIT STRAIGHT, WALK STRAIGHT Maintain your vertebral column straight. When you keep the backbone straight, energy flows upward and you maintain your awareness. It is difficult to be aware when the spine is crunched. TAKE A WALK When you’ve finished your job for the day, go home and take a walk, alone, silently, in the woods, in the park, or on the bank of the river.

Listen to the water, the birds, the rustle of leaves, the barking of a dog. In that listening, the meditative mind is regained. In this way, every day becomes heavenly. Every day becomes a celebration, something new.

That’s why the routine is most important. The discipline of the routine leaves room for awareness, openness, and freshness. SUPPER TIME At around six o’clock (see “Mealtimes for Each Dosha” box) have your supper. If you like to cook, you can cook according to the Ayurvedic Cookbook for Self-Healing that I have written with , Lad (see the Reading List).