Understanding Effect Of Sedentary Habits Through The Prism Of Tridosha

Sedentary habits mean sitting at one place for long time, sleeping for long hours etc. Stability, lack of motion is one of the qualities of Kapha. If we sleep more or if we sit for long hours, then there is increased stability factor, hence increase of Kapha. This also decreases Vata. Vata Dosha is related to movement. So, sedentary lifestyle means increase of Kapha Dosha and decrease of Vata and even Pitta Dosha. 

If we are active, there will be some heat generated in the body. Heat = Pitta. So, if we are not moving at all, not enough body heat produced, Pitta also will be decreased.

This situation leads to
1. Low Pitta = low Agni (digestion strength) = low digestion and metabolism.  Food will not be digested properly, and all the body tissues are not evenly nourished.
2. Increase of stability, excess increase of Kapha dosha, increase of cholesterol deposits in arteries, increase of body weight. Only fat tissue gets the nourishment and other body tissues are deprived of nourishment.
3. Sedentary habits = lack of movement = decrease of Vata. This means lowered movement of fluids even at cellular level. The toxins are not moved out of the body properly, lowered blood circulation, lowered elimination of waste products, depleted respiration ability, depleted agility of the body. (For all these activities, Vata Dosha is responsible).

Lack of warmth, increase of coldness –
Coldness is another quality of Kapha Dosha. Increase of Kapha dosha means increase of coldness. Hence, usually in people with sedentary lifestyle habits, the hands and legs will be cold to touch.

Effect on mind:
Abnormal increase of Kapha Dosha leads to increase of Tamas. Tamas means darkness. Person will prefer sitting more.

Effect on joints:  Stiffness is a Kapha quality. Kapha increase = stiffer joints, leading to further immobility, further increase of Kapha Dosha.

In the arteries – blood vessels:
More increase of stability quality leads to more stable blood, no proper blood circulation = accumulation and depositing of cholesterol in blood vessels (atherosclerosis) = more chances of a heart attack.

In the lungs:
More stability and less of mobility = decrease of Vata Dosha. decreased rate of breathing, lack of agility in lungs, the person becomes prone for asthma, cold, cough etc respiratory disorders.

Some 2000 years ago, Acharya Charaka explained a set of 20 symptoms that are uniquely explained when only Kapha Dosha is increased. These symptoms are called Kaphaja Nanatmaja Vyadhi. Just go through the list below. Whatever I have explained above, makes perfect sense.

Twenty types of kaphaja diseases – Kaphaja Nanatmaja Vikara
Now we shall explain the twenty verity of diseases due to the vitiation of Kapha. Even though, the diseases due to the vitiation of Kapha are innumerable; the following are the twenty varieties which are most commonly manifested.
1. Trupti (anorexia nervosa) = lack of interest in food because of low digestion strength
2. Tandra (drowsiness)
3. Nidraa Adhikya (excessive sleep)
4. Staimitya (timidness, stiffness)
5. Guru Gatrata (heaviness of the body)
6. Alasya (laziness)
7. Mukha Maadhurya (sweet taste in mouth)
8. Mukha Srava (excess salivation)
9. Shleshmodgirana (mucus expectoration)
10. Malaadhikya (excessive excretion of excreta)
11. Balasaka (loss of strength)
12. Apakti (indigestion)
13. Hrudayopalepa (feeling as if heart is wrapped up with moisture)
14. Kantopalepa (phlegm adhered to throat)
15. Dhamani Pratichaya (hardening of vessels)
16. Galaganda (goiter)
17. Ati Sthaulya (obesity)
18. Sheetaagnita(suppression of digestive powder)
19. Udarda (urticaria)
20. Shvetaavabhasata (pallor), Shveta Mutra Netra Varchastva (whiteness of urine, eye and faces)
Reference: Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 20/17

So, what is the solution?
Bring down excessively aggravated Kapha Dosha and stimulate Vata and Pitta Dosha.
Read here – Get Rid Of Sedentary Lifestyle – Solutions That Actually Work