Digital Detox – the Ayurveda Way

According to research done by the designers of the smartphone app Locket, we check our phones on average around 110 times a day. Little wonder that digital overload has side effects. Suffering from neck issues? Feeling fatigued, burned out, or having problems sleeping? The key to good health has always been doing everything in moderation. We asked Dr. Aparna K, MD, Ph.D. (Ayurveda) of Oneworld Ayurveda, to share with us the key elements of a digital detox done the Ayurvedic way.

Disconnect to Reconnect

The first step to being healthy according to Ayurveda is staying away from the cause. This Nidana Parivarjana – staying away from the impulses – is of vital importance when it comes to a digital detox.

Balance is The Key

It is all about balance in Ayurveda. We recommend increasing positive mental energy (Sattva) by bringing down excess mental activity (Rajas) and overcoming mental fatigue (Tamas). This can be achieved by eating food that is rich in Sattva energy – fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, nuts, and mung beans – and avoiding non-vegetarian food, pungent spices like red chilies, garlic, ginger, canned, processed, and micro-waved food. Staying away from artificial stimulants like coffee, tea, and alcohol is also important when detoxifying the body and the mind.

Slow Down

When you want to detox the Ayurveda way, practice slow mindful movements like yoga asana, pranayama, and meditation.

Ayurveda Treatments for Digital Detox

Ayurvedic treatments like the Panchakarma help flush out accumulated toxins from our system and help harmonize the imbalanced bio-energies. The oil therapy used is known as Snehana. All of the treatments listed below are designed to rejuvenate and instill more vitality to the senses as well as de-stress and calm our minds.

These key oleation (oil) therapies recommended in Ayurveda for detox include:

• Abyanga massage – body massage with medicated herbs
• Karna purana – instilling and oleating the ears with medicated oil
• Shirodhara – nurturing the head with warm medicated oil
• Akshi tarpana – an eye bath with medicated ghee/herb infusions
• Kavala – swishing of medicated oil in the mouth
• Nasya – medicated nasal drops

Be at One with Nature

We recommend to retreat in nature, walk in nature, breathe fully in nature…

Thank you, Dr. Aparna. These all sounds like ideal elements for a digital detox retreat in Bali!

 

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Judy Chapman is the former Editor-in-Chief of ‘Spa Asia’ magazine and the previous spa columnist for Wellbeing Magazine and the author of 4 non-fiction books on spas and health. Over the past 20 years, she has traveled the world, exploring, consulting & creating award-winning spa concepts, beauty & treatment experiences. Her travels have taken her through the Himalayas spending time with Tibetan & Ayurvedic doctors and yoga masters as well as onsen trips through Japan to the spas of France, Germany & Prague.

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