Lifestyle Medicine

Ignoring Nature’s Wisdom: How Suppressing Natural Urges Harms Our Health

Posted on by Lila C.
30
Sep

Ignoring Nature’s Wisdom: How Suppressing Natural Urges Harms Our Health”

In Ayurveda (the mother of all healing systems), there’s a concept that it’s “crimes against nature” that lead us to disease and ill health. There are many ways in which we can commit these “crimes” by going against nature and our inner wisdom, but today I want to focus on one that I find particularly pressing:

Holding Back the Natural Urges of the Body.

I was listening to a podcast the other day featuring a well-known YouTube doctor. He was asked whether it’s bad for your health to hold in gas. The interviewees—a male and female who worked together—shared that the woman had been holding in her farts for the entire time they’ve worked together (11 years!).

The doctor responded by saying, “It doesn’t matter if you fart or don’t. It makes no difference to your health.”

My jaw practically dropped. Where is the logic in that? Let me ask you this: how comfortable do you feel when you suppress the natural urge to fart? It leads to bloating, cramping, and all kinds of discomfort. On that principle alone, we are not facilitating health. I immediately thought back to a lesson from Ayurveda and the concept of “crimes against nature” and how they lead to poor health outcomes.

Today, we’re going to dive into the 13 natural urges of the body and what happens when you suppress them. Your body has a job to do, and part of that job is to move matter or energy. When you suppress that energy or matter, there are consequences.

The 13 Natural Urges of the Body:

  1. Urination (Mutra Vega)
  2. Defecation (Purisha Vega)
  3. Passing Gas (Vata Vega)
  4. Sneezing (Kshavathu Vega)
  5. Burping (Udgar Vega)
  6. Yawning (Jrumbha Vega)
  7. Coughing (Kasa Vega)
  8. Vomiting (Chardi Vega)
  9. Crying (Ashru Vega)
  10. Thirst (Trishna Vega)
  11. Hunger (Kshudha Vega)
  12. Sleep (Nidra Vega)
  13. Ejaculation (Shukra Vega)

Tuning into your body and honoring its signals is a vital piece of staying healthy. When you’re tired, sleep. When you’re hungry, eat. When you’re thirsty, drink. When you need to pee, go pee. Simple, right?

Impact of Suppressing Natural Urges:

Urination (Mutra Vega)

  • Suppression: Can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder pain, kidney stones, and other urinary disorders.
  • Symptoms: Difficulty urinating, burning sensations, abdominal pain, and Vata imbalances.

Defecation (Purisha Vega)

  • Suppression: Causes constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, and disturbs digestion.
  • Symptoms: Headaches, rectal pain, indigestion, and colon-related diseases.

Passing Gas (Vata Vega)

  • Suppression: Results in bloating, abdominal distension, indigestion, and colon issues.
  • Symptoms: Abdominal pain, cramps, and aggravated Vata dosha.

Sneezing (Kshavathu Vega)

  • Suppression: Leads to neck stiffness, headaches, sinus issues, and weakens the respiratory system.
  • Symptoms: Eye disorders, head tension, and disturbed Kapha balance.

Burping (Udgar Vega)

  • Suppression: Causes indigestion, bloating, and stomach disturbances.
  • Symptoms: Nausea, chest fullness, and digestive discomfort.

Yawning (Jrumbha Vega)

  • Suppression: Creates imbalances in Prana Vayu (vital breath), leading to fatigue and stiffness.
  • Symptoms: Tiredness, body tension, and neck stiffness.

Coughing (Kasa Vega)

  • Suppression: Can lead to respiratory issues such as congestion, asthma, or bronchitis.
  • Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and increased Kapha imbalances.

Vomiting (Chardi Vega)

  • Suppression: Keeps toxins in the body, leading to poisoning, digestive issues, and mental cloudiness.
  • Symptoms: Nausea, heaviness, headaches, and Pitta-related imbalances.

Crying (Ashru Vega)

  • Suppression: Causes emotional repression, stress, and eye problems.
  • Symptoms: Emotional imbalance, headaches, and strained eyes.

Thirst (Trishna Vega)

  • Suppression: Leads to dehydration, fatigue, dry skin, and Pitta imbalance.
  • Symptoms: Dry mouth, irritability, and poor digestion.

Hunger (Kshudha Vega)

  • Suppression: Results in digestive disorders, malnutrition, and loss of vitality.
  • Symptoms: Weakness, fainting, indigestion, and constipation.

Sleep (Nidra Vega)

  • Suppression: Causes mental and physical exhaustion, weak immunity, and Vata imbalances.
  • Symptoms: Fatigue, irritability, and weakened cognitive functions.

Ejaculation (Shukra Vega)

  • Suppression: Leads to sexual disorders, reproductive issues, and emotional frustration.
  • Symptoms: Prostate problems, anxiety, and Shukra Dhatu (reproductive tissue) imbalance.

The Importance of Honoring Your Body’s Natural Needs

It’s crucial to honor your body’s natural urges. Ignoring its signals and suppressing its urges leads to unwanted symptoms and long-term health challenges. Whether it’s something as simple as going to the bathroom or taking the time to rest, your body is constantly communicating what it needs to stay healthy. Listen to it.

Final Thoughts

The next time you feel an urge—whether it’s to sleep, eat, drink, or even sneeze—pay attention to it. It’s your body’s way of telling you how to stay in balance and avoid the “crimes against nature” that lead to disease.

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Lila C.