Gastric Disease: Yoga

1 month ago By Yogi Anoop

Eating During Fatigue Causes Maximum Vata Disorders

Yoga and Ayurveda clearly state that eating during fatigue is a major cause of vata disorders in the body. Whether the food is sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic, in a state of fatigue, the digestive system cannot function properly, directly impacting vata-related imbalances in the body. During fatigue, the muscles and subtle systems of the body demand energy-rich food, especially those containing starch, sugar, or fried items such as tea and samosas.

Due to a lack of patience and experience, the mind and body gravitate toward solutions that further impair digestion. Based on my experience, this mental habit significantly contributes to the development of vata disorders.

The Connection Between Fatigue and Vata Disorders

A restless mind immediately wants to provide energy-rich food to a fatigued body. A lack of patience during fatigue causes a great deal of turmoil. In such a state, irritability, anger, and even depression may overwhelm the mind and body. This often leads to craving foods that can quickly provide energy. Notably, such foods are usually fried or sugary.

Therefore, during fatigue, individuals often choose such foods. Additionally, the eating pace during fatigue tends to be very fast—meals are consumed hastily.

This is why, when the body and mind are tired, the coordination between the brain and digestive organs weakens. Food consumed in such a state is not digested properly, leading to excessive production of gas in the stomach. These vata disorders manifest as gas, acidity, indigestion, and abdominal pain.

Personal Experience

My personal experience supports this principle. About 25 years ago, for a month, I regularly ate immediately after intense fatigue. As a result, all five types of vata in the body increased. Gastric problems became so severe that my digestive system became imbalanced. This process also led to increased burping and constipation.

After this, I stopped eating immediately after fatigue. Instead, I practiced pranayama and meditation techniques that provided instant relief to my muscles. This significantly improved digestion and reduced vata disorders by 80-90%.

Why Is Eating During Fatigue Harmful?

When fatigued, our brain and body are struggling with a lack of energy. During this time, the restless mind seeks immediate relief for the tired muscles. Due to fatigue, it loses patience, and the body offers minimal support. As a result, it craves food instantly. In this state, the restless mind prefers fried, spicy, salty, or sweet food.

Consuming food during fatigue makes the body expend more energy on digestion rather than recovering from exhaustion. Consequently, the liver fails to function optimally, leading to gas, acidity, and similar problems.

According to yoga and Ayurveda, the liver and digestive system work best when the mind and brain are in a state of rest.

Factors That Increase Vata Disorders

1. Sluggish Liver Function:

During fatigue, the liver cannot perform digestion to its full capacity. Even the acid levels in the stomach increase. To address this, first, fatigue should be alleviated by bathing with cold or normal water. This reduces muscle fatigue by 50-60%, allowing the liver to regain its active state.

2. Incomplete Digestion:

Food consumed during fatigue generates toxins in the body as the muscles and digestive system are not functioning at their best. Thus, relaxing the body’s muscles becomes crucial.

3. Lack of Prana Energy:

During exhaustion, prana energy levels decrease, further hindering digestion.

What to Do During Fatigue?

Instead of eating during fatigue, adopt the following practices:

1. Rest:

Practice savasana for three to five minutes. This provides immediate relaxation to the mind and brain.

2. Practice Pranayama:

• Chest and Abdominal Pranayama:

Perform exhalation through the mouth, creating a slight sound from the throat. Practicing this pranayama for five minutes reactivates prana energy, calms the mind, and relaxes the body’s muscles.

• Anulom-Vilom:

This is highly effective in restoring balance in vata, mind, and body. It also stabilizes any excessive movement in the bloodstream.

Whether fatigue is mental or physical, avoid eating immediately. It is true that a tired mind and body intensely demand food during such times. However, calm your system through savasana and pranayama. You will notice that the body’s energy is naturally restored, promoting better digestion and preventing vata disorders.

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