IMPORTANCE OF ACHAR, VICHAR, VIHAR & AHAR FOR OVERALL HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

THE IMPORTANCE OF VIHAAR

To many, Vihaar may be the primary pillar because it refers to a healthy lifestyle, considered essential for the achievement and maintenance of good health or Arogya.

The practice of a healthy Vihaar requires adherence to certain Ayurvedic guidelines for daily living, such as the dinacharya(daily routine), ratricharya(night routine), ritucharya(seasonal routine), sadavritta(code of behavior), and Ahaar Vidhi (diet rules) (2). The Ayurvedic lifestyle promoted through Vihaaraims at the promotion of physical, mental, and social wellbeing to improve quality of life, while also preventing and aiding disease management.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AHAAR       

Ahaar refers to diet and nutrition and is therefore another important pillar of health. In fact, Charaka and many Ayurvedic sages regarded healthy nutrition as essential for the prevention of disease (3). You have probably come across the Ayurvedic saying, ‘When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use when diet is correct, medicine is of no need’.

With our modern lifestyles, diet alone may not help in the prevention of disease, but it is still the most critical factor. The proper intake of food is regarded as essential for nourishment and sustenance of the deha dhatus or body tissues, growth and development, as well as enhancement of ojas (4).

THE IMPORTANCE OF ACHAR

Although strictly defined as routines, Achar is more about behavior and behavioral changes to promote health and wellbeing. In fact, Achara Rasayana is an entire category of Ayurvedic medicine that may be viewed as a precursor to modern behavioral therapy. Achar demands good conduct and behavior that is conducive not just to one’s physical and mental health, but to society as a whole (5).

As described by acharya charakachar includes control of one’s anger, truthfulness, avoidance of intoxicants and indulgent behavior, non-violence, compassion, the practices of charity, and so on.

THE IMPORTANCE OF VICHAAR

Vichaar quite literally translates to thoughts,emphasizing the impact of one’s thought process on health. Ayurveda recognized the psychosomatic nature of many diseases as well as mental illness. Positive thinking and activities to strengthen the mind are therefore regarded as important for general health and wellbeing.

This ancient Ayurvedic wisdom is also supported by modern clinical studies, which show that negativity can adversely affect quality of life, whereas optimism promotes a healthier lifestyle and improved cognitive response (6)