Ulcers can be of various sorts, the most common ones are mouth ulcers and stomach ulcers, also known as colitis. I’m touching this subject today because I’ve known many of my friends and family who know many people too that face the same issue and it needs to be addressed, what better medium than the internet? Thanks to my dear friend and client Shweta Rohira, for this opportunity to reach a million people through my articles and the awareness I can spread through these articles on various issues.

One of the very first parts of the body that’s affected by stress and anxiety is the stomach, anything you do, think or eat, affects the way your body functions and when I say body, I first mean the stomach. You disturb the cycle of your food, you get acidity, causing heat in the body, which when crosses the normal levels causes ulcers first in the mouth and then spreads to the body, there are many other causes too. For e.g. Too much of heat in the body, that comes because of irregular and spicy, oily meals, high acid levels in the body, low water intake, long nights and a sedentary lifestyle..

Incorrect food and food habits are a big trigger. Lack of iron n vitamin B12, bad oral health, could be a reason too. Medicines are yet another trigger.

Yoga is a holistic science. One should begin with correct diet; the stomach is one of the root causes of Mouth Ulcers. Eating light is a must, yoga recommends a Sattvic diet, which is peace inducing, and relaxing, which results into a calm and concentrated state of mind, therefore a stress free and anxiety free state of mind. Some points about food:

• Eat every four hours, keep dry fruits and fresh fruits handy.
• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water.
• Apples, bananas, yogurt, and foods rich in vitamin A, B, E and iron-rich foods, will prevent ulcers.
• Avoid oily, fried, spicy, too hot, low in fibre food. It’ll aggravate the ulcers, whether in mouth or elsewhere.
• Processed food are a strict no-no.
• Do salt water gargles every day to keep away from bad bacteria.
• Suck on ice cubes to get quick but temporary relief to ulcers.

Apart from food, ensure that you include mild yoga postures and walks in your daily routine. Pranayamas alone, if done under proper supervision or guidance will help cure the problem of ulcers from the root.

Proper sleep, ideally 10pm -6am will also keep high acid levels at bay and boost immunity.

And Lastly, Believe in what you do, and the higher reality. This will not only cure your ulcers, but also help you maintain a balanced and positive frame of mind.

Above are a few of the many things you can do with a yogic perspective. For further details or help you can contact me on my email: yoga@rupalsyogasthenics.com