Why 5 Weeks?
Have you ever gone on a vacation, just to find your energy is low weeks later? This phenomenon is due to the fact that the energy you have now comes from food you ate 35 days ago! Maybe you went off your nutrition plan on that vacation and now your body feels the crunch the following month.
Ayurveda describes this energy as Ojas, and that is the remaining energy you have after all of your tissue layers have had their turn to grab nutrients for usage. Each tissue layer comprises 5 days of the process and there are 7 layers, hence 35 days. The layers in order are plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, nervous system, and reproductive system. If you are consistently getting less nutrition than you need, it can results in things like weak bones, decreased muscle mass, or low energy.
So, in order to make a difference in your long term energy, you need to be very consistent with your nutrients over the long haul! Time to make plan in stick to it!
Using Nutrition to Support Your Energy
A sample plan for increasing your energy can look like this:
- Eating foods rich in 'prana' on a daily basis. Prana is the life force that is present in all fruits and vegetables grown under the sun. A good rule of thumb is to “eat the rainbow”!
- Be sure you are absorbing your nutrients by chewing thoroughly, eating slowly, and eating at the right times of the day. For more info on these activities, you can read our blog post here.
- Get enough protein for your body type and weight. An approximate is .36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, which is around 54 grams of protein if you weigh 150 lbs.
- Good hydration is also very important. Try to shoot for about half your body weight in ounces of water.
Incorporating all of these factors everyday will begin to build up the store of nutrients present in your body over the course of time. You may find that your skin begins to look better in 10 days, which is a good sign that your new plan is making a difference!
Lifestyle Factors
Food is not the only factor in your energy level. Lifestyle also plays a big role! Take a look at these two lists. Do your best to incorporate as many activities from the energy boosting list and reduce activities from the energy sucking list!
Energy Boosts
- Eating plants grown under the sun
- Fresh air / nature
- Regular exercise
- Laughter, lightheartedness, smiling
- Short naps / quiet time
- Regular schedule / grounding
- Positive thoughts
- Supportive circle
- Processed foods
- Alcohol / sugar / caffeine
- Stress / life changes
- Screen time
- Too much or not enough sleep
- Irregular schedule / traveling
- Negative thoughts
- Draining situations / people
Measuring Your Results
As you begin your journey to increased energy, start a journal to track your experience. Be sure to write down your food and activities and how you are feeling. Remember that it may feel like two steps forward, one step back at times as your body processes old toxins, adjusts to new habits, and repairs tissue layers along the way.
After 5 weeks of consistent activities, you should start to feel a natural increased energy level, and hopefully a few years younger in your skin. Be sure to keep up the good work and remember that the food you eat today is the energy you will have in 35 days!
- - - - - -
Kellie is a Certified Ayurvedic Digestive Health Coach, Yoga Teacher, and an inspired foodie! After battling autoimmune issues, she found wellness through a gluten-free and vegetarian lifestyle. Her goal is to promote healthy living and inspire others to feel good. Thank you Kellie for such a wonderful article!
