Is traditional lifestyle making a comeback?

Currently, everyone is affected one way or another by the deadly COVID 19 virus. The pandemic has resulted in the closure of businesses, educational institutions, gyms, malls etc. and everyone is confined to their homes. With the rise of online classes and work from home culture, one can expect it to be the definition of "new normal". With the malls and supermarts closed, we have begun to rely on our local vendors, whether it's the neighbourhood grocery store, local vegetable seller, milkman, fruit seller or the local meat shop. Gone are those days when we thronged the supermarts to buy fresh, exotic vegetables or global branded food. Now we are reliant on our local guys and local products more than ever and they have not failed us during the lockdown.

One can witness and foretell the comeback of our traditional way of living which with the acceleration in our adaptation of modern lifestyle was lost. Remember how our mother used to wash the vegetables after buying them from the market? At that time it appeared like a waste of time but in the current situation, it's scary to even think about giving washing a miss! Washing hands and feet after coming from outside, folding hands and saying Namaste, the gesture which the entire world is practicing now, all these have been an integral part of lifestyle since centuries.

There also has been a remarkable shift in the eating habits towards traditional food. Golden Milk or Haldi doodh, Chyawanprash, Ginger, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Star Anise and many such items are now being religiously consumed in some way or other. The ancient Hindu text, Sushruta Samhita also recommends a rotation and balance in foods consumed, in moderation. It classifies foods by various characteristics, such as taste. For example, it lists six tastes – madhura (sweet), amla (acidic), lavana (salty), katuka (pungent), tikta (bitter) and kashaya (astringent). It then lists various sources of foods that deliver these tastes and recommends that all six tastes (flavours) be consumed in moderation and routinely, as a habit for good health. No wonder the traditional Indian food has always been considered healthier than it's counterparts.

A lot of focus is on exercising also and taking the centre stage is Yoga. There are many asanas like Sukhasana, Pranayama, Ardha Matsyendrasana and others to improve the immunity of the body which a must in the current times. To do yoga you do not need any supplementary equipment or a well-defined space. It's not just for the body but also for the mind. With the current shift in our lifestyle and our willingness to adapt to it, we can conclude that traditional is back and is here to stay for long and for good.