- Written by Dr. Keshavan Nambisan, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer of UWAY Health
When I was growing up, my brother and I were the unofficial runners at home. Whenever mom realized the chili powder or sugar had run out, we were the ones rushing to the nearby Kirana. Sometimes barefoot, sometimes on cycles, always with urgency, and we had to be fast. If the dal boiled over, we were answerable. If a packet tore on the way, we got scolded. And if guests were home — it was super urgent.
But there were incentives too. Keeping the change, money for a candy — pocket money, simple joys that made us happy. They kept us moving. They kept us connected to daily life.
Today, those roles are automated. The apps deliver. But something else is quietly slipping away.
The Rise of Convenience, The Fall of Movement
Impact of Sedentary Lifestyle
We now move less than ever. No more quick store runs. No casual walks. No carrying groceries or chatting with neighbors. Our bodies are increasingly still, even one hour at the gym doesn’t undo 23 hours of inactivity.
This impact of a sedentary lifestyle shows up as:
- Fatigue
- Sluggish digestion
- Joint stiffness
- Hormonal imbalance
Ayurveda lifestyle tips teach that even mild, consistent movement is vital for circulation, digestive fire (Agni), and clearing toxins (Ama).
When Apps Replace Kitchens: A Shift in Our Diets
Sometimes I wonder… Was quick commerce secretly modeled on us?
Old wine in a new bottle
The urgency, the delivery speed, the little incentives — it all feels familiar. Only now, it’s happening at scale. And it’s changing how we live. A few days ago, I was casually looking at the growth of these platforms.
Quick commerce: Blinkit (Zomato) has a 39% market share. Swiggy Instamart is at 37%. Zepto — though newer — already holds 20%. Together, this space may cross ₹5.5 billion by 2025.
Food delivery? Swiggy and Zomato serve 4.6 million orders daily. Mostly fast food snacks and desserts — more impulse than intention, not nutrition. The result? A 13–15% annual rise in ultra-processed food consumption.
What does UWAY Health have to do with this?
You might ask … What does UWAY Health have to do with this? We’re not here to question innovation. We’re here to reflect on what else is quietly GROWING with it. We’re moving less than ever. Those short walks to the store, carrying groceries, even chatting with neighbors — gone.
Even the kitchen is replaced by an app. One hour at the gym doesn’t undo 23 hours of stillness.
Impulse is shaping our diets. We eat based on mood + app nudges + fast delivery – I was told it’s data mining! Growth of ultra-processed food is up 13–15% annually.
The effects? Obesity, fatigue, acidity, anxiety.
Do you want to know how alarming it is? Just speak to any one of our doctors.
Instant Gratification and Health: The Bigger Problem
It’s not just about food or steps. It’s about how we think now. More than anything, we’re training ourselves — and our KIDS — for instant gratification.
Everything is “NOW”. No waiting, no effort. And that changes the way our brains grow.
We’re also losing rhythm. Meals without chewing. Midnight eating. Random sleep.
Ayurveda teaches us that this disturbs Agni (digestion), creates Ama (toxins), and unsettles Doshas — slowly, but surely.
That leads to:
- Anxiety
- Mood-driven choices
- Poor sleep
- Disconnection from the body’s natural rhythms
What Ayurveda Tells Us: Restore Rhythm to Reclaim Health
We aren’t about blaming tech. It’s just a reminder. Our bodies haven’t evolved at the speed of our apps. They still need simple things — regular movement, fresh food, a sense of rhythm… and sometimes, just the joy of waiting.
Here are simple Ayurveda lifestyle tips to bring balance back:
1.Move Naturally Through the Day
Take short walks. Climb stairs. Do household chores. Let your body be used for some simple practice.
2.Eat Home-Cooked, Seasonal Foods
Avoid processed meals or packed foods, instead cook fresh, eat warm, and include more seasonal fruits.
3.Build Rhythm in Meals and Sleep
Wake up and sleep at the same time and do the same practice with your kids. Practice eating when hungry, not focusing on any app based on suggestions.
4.Limit Overstimulation
Reduce screen time, especially before bed or meals. Increase family time and allow the mind to breathe.
5.Give Kids Real-World Tasks
Let them help with errands. Let them wait. These experiences shape their nervous systems and teach resilience.
6.Before You Hit Buy — Just Pause
Next time you order online, just think once. Could it have waited? Could your child have fetched it instead?
Dr. P.T. Keshavan Nambisan says:
“Our daily conveniences are becoming daily compromises. But it’s not too late to reset. Ayurveda gives us the tools — we only need to use them.”
Final Thought: Old Wisdom for a New World
Your health isn’t built in the gym or the delivery box. It’s built in the small, ordinary moments — the food you cook, the way you move, your sleep routine, and your ability to pause.
Let’s not outsource our lives entirely. Let’s stay connected — to movement, food, rhythm, and joy.
So next time before you add to the cart and hit the buy button – THINK once and if you have a delivery boy or girl at home give them a chance.
About Author
DR. PT Kesavan Nambisan
Dr. Keshavan Nambisan is a 5th-generation Ayurveda doctor with over 23 years of clinical experience. He is the Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer of UWAY Health, India’s pioneering platform for personalized and integrative healthcare. He graduated with a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.
