In Sanskrit, the daily routine known as 'Dinacharya' is an ideal schedule celebrating nature's rhythm. In Ayurveda, the center of attention is mobilized in the early hours of the day as it is significant in setting the mood of your day.
‘Ayurveda’ firmly believes that discipline for the body and mind strengthens immunity and purifies the body of its offscourings. With the help of a disciplinary schedule, one can clean the body and mind, balance their doshas, strengthen immunity, and begin the day on a rejuvenating note. Here is your guide to a significant routine that will help you to commence your daily chores on a blissful note –
1. Waking up at Brahma Muhurta - You should wake up about one and a half hours before sunrise to synchronize with the rhythm of the sun. Ayurveda recommends an auspicious time - the Brahma Muhurta - for waking up early. Hope, inspiration, and peace manifest at this time. The time in the early morning is considered best for meditation, self-analysis, supreme knowledge, and eternal happiness.
2. Enhance the Power of Breath - Check through which nostril your breath flows stronger. According to Ayurveda, the right nostril is solar-pitta, and the left is lunar- kapha. The right side of the brain controls creative activity, while the left controls logical verbal activity. When you breathe through your left nostril, the right side of your brain is more pre-dominant and vice versa.
3. Embrace the Positive Vibrations - Follow the custom of observing the lines in your palms and remember the deities of wealth, knowledge, and power. Rub your fingertips with your thumbs in a circular soothing manner - right clockwise and then left anticlockwise circles. Rub the palms using your fingertips, then turn the right wrist clockwise and the left anticlockwise. Kiss the palm of your side where the flow of breath is more robust, then kiss the other palm. By kissing your palm, you give the best vibrations to self-expression. Rub your hands together and move your palms slowly over your face, covering your head, shoulders, arms, and legs, creating an energy shield that wards off negative influences throughout the day.
4. Clean Up Yourself - Rinse yourself with cold water as it is an electrical conductor and can never irritate sensitive tissues. Henceforth, wash your hands, face, mouth, and eyes with cool water. Clean your nose, teeth, and tongue.
5. Meditate and Exercise - Perform 'Pranayama' while centering your vitality in the heart chakra or the third eye. Alternatively, take a short, slow walk in the fresh morning air. 'Vyayama' or physical exercise usually comprises yoga postures like 'Surya Namaskar' or sun salutation. Early morning exercises eradicate stagnation in the body and mind, make the digestive fire effectively stronger, reduce fat, and give you a feeling of lightness and joy as it fills your body with liveliness.
6. Pamper yourself and Bathe Right - Massage your body with sesame oil. Massaging the scalp, forehead, temples, hands, and feet for about 2-3 minutes is sufficient. Take your bath in water which is neither too hot nor too cold.
7. Make your Noon-time activities appropriate - Lunch should be taken early, between 12-1 pm, as the heaviest meal of the day. After the meal, take a walk to help the food digest.
8. Prayers and Meditations in Twilight Zone - This is a particular time of balance between day and night. It is the perfect time for evening prayers and meditations.
9. Move Forward to Dinner - Have your dinner lighter than lunch, around 6–7 pm. Take it at least three hours before bedtime, providing your body ample time to digest the food. Sleeping just after dinner with a heavy stomach should be strictly avoided. Walk for about 10 – 15 minutes or 150 steps to help digestion.
10. Bedtime Essentials - The ideal time to sleep is by 10:30 pm. You can massage the soles of your feet, palms, neck, and shoulders to calm the system before bed.