Do you know that small changes in our daily routine can bring about significant transformations in our health? Absolutely! According to Ayurveda, a disciplined daily routine is not only beneficial for our physical health but also for our mental well-being. In fact, in today's time, if you observe any preventive treatment, you will notice the importance of a daily routine. 

But what exactly is this daily routine?

According to Ayurveda, Dincharya refers to our daily habits and behaviours that are crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In other words, dinacharya means our daily habits that define our lifestyle. How we start our day, when and what we eat, how much exercise we do, and when we sleep—all of these are part of our daily routine. Ayurveda places great importance on dinacharya. According to Ayurveda, how we look, how we feel, our health, and our behaviour—all are influenced by our daily routine. By adopting a balanced and disciplined daily routine, we can maintain our physical, mental, and spiritual harmony.

Waking up in the Brahma Muhurta

Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, has a lot to say about the importance of waking up early. In fact, there is a special period of time called Brahma Muhurta, which is the hour and a half before sunrise. This is considered to be the most auspicious time of day, when the mind is clear and the body is refreshed. Of course, in today's busy world, it can be challenging to wake up that early. But if you can make the effort, you'll be rewarded with a number of benefits. Here are just a few:

1. Serene Beginnings: Waking up before sunrise allows you to experience the tranquillity of the early morning hours. The world is still and peaceful, providing an opportunity for you to start your day with a sense of calm and clarity. 
2. Productive Mornings: With the world still asleep, the early morning hours offer a peaceful and distraction-free environment for focused work or personal projects. Whether it's catching up on emails, working on a creative endeavour, or planning your day ahead, you can maximize your productivity during this uninterrupted time. By accomplishing important tasks early, you'll feel a sense of achievement and motivation throughout the day.
3. Improved mood. Getting up early can help you start your day off on the right foot. You'll have more energy and focus, and you'll be less likely to feel stressed or anxious.
4. Appreciation of Nature: Observing the sunrise is a beautiful and awe-inspiring experience. Waking up before sunrise allows you to witness the natural beauty of the changing colours in the sky as the sun starts to peek above the horizon. This connection with nature can bring a sense of gratitude and inspiration, fostering a positive mindset as you embark on your day.
5. Better health: There are a number of physical benefits to waking up early. For example, it can help to regulate your blood sugar levels, boost your immune system, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases.

Abhyanga

Starting your morning with a revitalizing self-body massage known as Abhyanga is highly recommended. Abhyanga not only promotes enhanced blood circulation throughout the body but also offers numerous benefits such as radiant skin and a balanced, healthy mind. To perform Abhyanga, you have the option of using either organic coconut oil or sesame oil, both of which are excellent choices.

• Oils: The most commonly used oils for Abhyanga are sesame oil and coconut oil. Sesame oil is a good choice for people with dry skin, while coconut oil is a good choice for people with oily skin. Other oils that can be used for Abhyanga include almond oil, olive oil, and mustard oil.
• Temperature: The oil should be warm, you can warm the oil in a pan over low heat, or in a bowl of hot water.
• Massage strokes: There are many different massage strokes that can be used for Abhyanga. Some common strokes include effleurage (long, sweeping strokes), petrissage (kneading strokes), and friction (circular strokes).
• Duration: The duration of an Abhyanga massage can vary depending on your personal preference. However, a typical Abhyanga massage lasts for about 20-30 minutes.

These are some of the benefits of Abhyanga:

Improves blood circulation: Abhyanga helps to improve blood circulation throughout the body. This can help to reduce muscle pain, improve skin health, and boost the immune system.

Promotes relaxation: The gentle massage strokes of Abhyanga can help to promote relaxation and reduce stress. This can be especially beneficial for people who are feeling anxious or stressed.

Nourishes the skin: The oil used in Abhyanga helps to nourish the skin and keep it hydrated. This can help to improve the appearance of the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and protect the skin from damage.

Improves sleep: Abhyanga can help to improve sleep quality. This is because the massage helps to relax the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Tongue Scraping

Tongue scraping into your daily mouth cleaning routine offers numerous benefits for your oral health and overall well-being. This simple practice, often overlooked in today's fast-paced world, deserves attention for its remarkable advantages.

Tongue scraping eliminates germs not only from your mouth but also from your entire body, promoting a healthier system. By regularly engaging in this cleansing activity, you effectively remove harmful bacteria, supporting a strong immune system and reducing the risk of oral and systemic health issues. One prominent benefit is improved breath, as tongue scraping eliminates bacteria responsible for causing bad breath, leaving you with fresher breath throughout the day. Additionally, this practice enhances taste perception by removing the buildup of bacteria, debris, and dead cells on the tongue's surface, revitalizing your taste buds and increasing the enjoyment of food. By prioritizing tongue scraping as part of your morning routine, you embrace a simple yet powerful habit that supports oral hygiene, fresh breath, taste sensation, immune function, and overall well-being.

Along with that, you can take your morning shower and get ready for our next mindful practice, 'Meditation'.

Meditation

Morning meditation is a powerful practice that offers numerous benefits for both our mental and physical well-being. Engaging in regular meditation significantly contributes to maintaining optimal mental health. By establishing a dedicated and tranquil space for meditation, we can unlock the greatest advantages of this practice. During meditation, we can explore various techniques such as breathwork, alternate nostril breathing, or the repetition of soothing mantras. These techniques effectively induce a sense of calmness in our minds, allowing us to embark on each day with a positive and rejuvenated outlook.

Meditation can help you to:

Vyayam

Indeed, incorporating exercise into our daily routine is crucial for maintaining a healthy and fit body. Among the various forms of exercise, practices like yoga and body stretching hold significant importance as they awaken and invigorate our bodies right from the start of the day, enabling us to begin our day with boundless energy and vitality. One such highly beneficial exercise is Surya Namaskar, a sequence of yoga poses that encompass the entire body. By engaging in this holistic practice, we can experience profound stretching and rejuvenation throughout our muscles, joints, and organs. Surya Namaskar serves as a comprehensive workout, activating and toning multiple muscle groups, enhancing flexibility, and improving overall body strength.

Vyayam and exercises has many benefits, it can help us to:

• Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
• Improve our mood and reduce stress
• Increase our energy levels
• Improve our sleep quality
• Strengthen our bones and muscles
• Improve our balance and coordination
• Improve our flexibility
• Boost our self-esteem

Diet and Sleep According to Ayurveda

It is crucial to maintain a healthy and balanced diet for overall well-being. Let's discuss some dietary guidelines to optimise your day. Begin your day with a nutritious and well-rounded breakfast. While ensuring it satisfies your hunger, aim for a moderate portion size. This will prevent you from feeling famished before lunchtime. For optimal digestion, it is recommended to have your lunch between 12-1 pm. This time frame coincides with the dominance of the pitta dosha, which enhances your digestive fire, known as agni. Capitalize on this natural advantage by consuming a wholesome meal that can be easily digested. Similarly, your last meal of the day should be enjoyed between 6-7 pm. This allows a sufficient gap of 3-4 hours before bedtime, promoting proper digestion. After each meal, engage in a light 10-15 minute walk, which aids in digestion and overall well-being. Incorporating a nightly routine before sleep can further enhance your overall health. The ideal time to sleep is between 9 pm and 10 pm, ensuring you receive a recommended 6-7 hours of restful sleep. Prior to sleep, consider massaging your scalp and the soles of your feet with oil. This practice induces relaxation and enhances blood circulation. Integrating Triphala into your nighttime routine offers numerous health benefits. This herbal formulation supports digestion, alleviates constipation, and contributes to eye health.

By following these guidelines, you can optimise your daily routine and promote a healthy lifestyle. Remember, consistency and balance are key to achieving and maintaining overall wellness.

Takeaway:

There are many benefits to following an Ayurvedic daily routine. By incorporating practices such as waking up early, Abhyanga, tongue scraping, meditation, Vyayam, and mindful eating and sleeping, you can optimise your day and promote overall health and well-being. Remember, consistency and balance are key to achieving and maintaining these benefits.