Nowadays, stress, anxiety, and depression are a consistent part of our daily lives. One of the prominent reasons for not being able to recover and saddled down the path of mental illnesses is an improper daily routine. However, since the Vedic era and until today, nutritionists and health consultants primarily focus on formulating and guiding people through a prescribed and personalized daily routine.
According to Wikipedia, Dinacharya refers to an Ayurvedic concept of daily routine that takes cycles of nature into account and bases daily routines around these cycles. It aids in establishing a holistic balance of body, mind, and spirit, thus promoting longer and healthier lifestyles. However, it not only caters to our biological clock to sustain holistic balance in our body, but it also aids in maintaining self-discipline and focus through proper time management.
1- Waking up early
Waking up early in the morning before the sun rises is advisable. Nature is full of peace and tranquility, bringing freshness for a soulful self-immersive experience. You can hear the birds chirping and the sky changing its color as the sun rises gradually. This time of the day is far from any kind of noise and disturbance. The sun rises according to seasonal changes; however, for people of different Ayurvedic body types, an average time is suggested as follows:
- Vata – 6 a.m
- Pitta – 5:30 a.m
- Kapha – 4:30 a.m
2- Reciting a prayer
Recite a prayer before leaving the bed to thank God for this wonderful fulfilling life you are blessed with, good health, food, and shelter. Seek forgiveness for any pain or sins caused by you onto someone else and ask for safeguarding your close ones.
3- Wash your face and mouth
Splash cold or lukewarm water on your face and rinse your mouth. Cleanse your eyes and massage your eyelids by gently rubbing them. Blink your eyes a couple of times and rotate your eyes in all directions. Dry your face by dabbing a clean towel gently on your skin.
4- Drink Water
Drink a glass of water at room temperature, preferably from a copper bottle poured into a copper glass the night before. This aids in detoxifying your system, allowing easy bowel movement. It is not advisable to start your day with tea or coffee, as it causes constipation and drains kidney energy.
5- Maintenance of your Oral Health
Brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush and an astringent, pungent, and bitter toothpaste or powder. Traditionally, licorice root sticks and neem sticks were used to remove food particles between teeth and gums. Roasted almond shell powder can be used for Vata and Kapha, and neem for Pitta. Gently scrape the whole surface of your tongue, back and forth 7 to 14 times, to ensure proper cleansing, digestion, and stimulation of internal organs. Ideally, Vata people can use a gold scraper, Pitta a silver one, and Kapha a copper one. Stainless steel can be utilized by everyone equally.
To maintain oral hygiene for healthier, stronger, and cleaner teeth and gums for fresh and sustained mouth breath, it is important to brush your teeth in the morning and before going to bed.
6- Gargling and Chewing
Gargling sesame oil and chewing sesame seeds for strengthening teeth, jaw, and gums, for maintaining overall oral health, and improving elasticity of the skin has been followed since the Vedic era. Chewing sesame seeds not only benefits your oral health but improves digestive tract function and overall bodily functioning.
7- Nasal Drops (Nasya)
Utilizing warm ghee or oil as nasal drops in the morning aids in lubrication, cleansing of sinuses, and improving voice, vision, and mental clarity.
- Oils suggested for different body types:
- Vata – sesame oil, ghee, calamus oil
- Pitta – brahmi ghee, sunflower or coconut oil
- Kapha – vacha (calamus root) oil
8- Oil drops in the ear (Karana Purana)
Certain conditions such as ringing in the ear, earwax, poor hearing, and lockjaw are all caused due to Vata in the ears. Utilizing 4 to 5 drops of sesame oil in each ear can help in prevention and cure for the same.
9- Apply Oil to the Head and Body (Abhyanga)
Rub warm oil over your body and head. Gentle, frequent scalp oil massage will bring joy, as well as prevent headaches, baldness, graying, and receding hairlines. It will help to induce sound sleep and keep the skin smooth by oiling your body before bedtime.
- Warm sesame oil for Vata.
- Warm sunflower or coconut oil for Pitta.
- Warm sunflower oil or mustard oil for Kapha.
10- Bathing and dressing up
Bathing cleanses and relaxes. It brings vitality to the body, insight to the mind, and holiness to life. It removes sweat, dirt, and exhaustion. Wearing clean clothes brings elegance and virtue.
11- Use of perfumes
Experience freshness, charm, and pleasure by using natural scents, essential oils, or perfumes. It provides the body with energy and increases self-esteem.
- The best perfume to be used for Vata is hina or amber.
- Try khus, sandalwood, or jasmine for Pitta.
- Use either amber or musk for Kapha.
12- Exercise
Regular exercise, particularly yoga, improves circulation, stamina, and endurance. It allows one to relax and sleep well, and stimulates digestion and detoxification. Exercise to half of your potential every day, until sweat forms on your forehead, armpits, and spine.
- Vata: Sun salutation x 12, done slowly; Leg lifting; Camel; Cobra; Cat; Cow. Slow, gentle exercise.
- Pitta: Moon salutation x 16, moderately fast; Fish; Boat; Bow. Calming exercise.
- Kapha: Sun salutation x 12, done rapidly; Bridge; Peacock; Palm tree; Lion. Vigorous exercise.
13- Pranayama
Sit calmly after exercise and perform some deep breathing exercises, as follows:
- For Vata, 12 alternating nostril breaths.
- 16 cooling shitali breaths for Pitta (lengthwise curling up the tongue and breathing through it).
- For Kapha, 100 bhastrika (short, quick breaths).
14- Meditation
It is necessary to meditate for at least 15 minutes in the morning and evening. Try “Empty Bowl Meditation” or meditate in the manner you are used to. Meditation brings equilibrium and harmony to your life.
15- It’s time for breakfast-
In the hot months or if your agni is thin, your meal should be light, and more substantial in the cold. Enjoy this day!
Dharana Wellness Centre, a wellness retreat near Mumbai, focuses on holistic health which includes physical, mental and spiritual balance. One of the key ideologies of this eco wellness retreat lies in the holistic approach. As an Ayurvedic healing center in India, Dharana combines the use of an integrative, modern approach for holistic health with Modern diagnostics with traditional practices like Yoga and Ayurveda to ensure a sustainable wellness journey.
