DAILY ROUTINE AS PER AYURVEDA

What is the reason behind this routine?

Do we always want to figure out what should be the daily routine of human beings? The routine that makes us healthy and protect us from different diseases.. Our ancestors have given us this routine. Ayurveda explained everything in detail. As we have discussed in our previous blog “AYURVEDA – THE SCIENCE OF HEALING” that everything is related to core elements in Ayurveda. It is based on the Tridoshas named Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha.

We, modern people, do not realize how far we have come from the routine suggested by our ancestors. According to Ayurveda, this routine is a treasure. And Our ancestors left behind this treasure for us. Indians should be proud of our ancient rituals practised by our ancestors mentioned in Ayurveda. So, let us know more about the rituals and find out why we do them.

 Our ancestors were following a particular daily routine in ancient time. They were following it religiously just like religion every day in their lives. Now you will ask that every civilization or culture must follow a routine for discipline. What is new in that? But have you ever thought about why all our ancestors have agreed to the same routine and mentioned it in Ayurveda specifically? The reason behind this is our human body and its nature.

Who governed our body?

Our body is governed by the properties of Panchmahabhuta and all the other creatures and earth itself. So the earth is affected by the sun and moon. Just like this, we human beings are a part of this earth and planetary system. Our body and complete physiology are affected by the sun and the moon. It is obvious that the Tridosha in different proportions in our body, Vata, Pitta and Kapha also get affected by them in different time zones especially in the daytime it is different and in the night it is different.

What should be our daily routine as per Ayurveda?

Let us start with the morning wake up ritual.

So as per Ayurveda the correct time to wake up is the last phase of darkness. i.e., Brahma Muhurt. It means approximately from 4 to 5:30 AM. Now, most of you must be aware of this time frame earlier but, do you know why we should wake up in this time frame? Because at this time the Kapha component in our body is reduced and the Vatta component is activated. It means our mind and body get ready to be moved, as per the property of Vatta. That is why we should wake at this time.

Ayurveda has denoted this time as ideal for meditation and Yogabhyas. Brahma muhurta is also known as the time to grasp knowledge. If you are sleeping in this time frame, then you must have observed that the dreams that come in this time frame are the most remembered. It is because of the activation of the Vatta component. We should wake at this time and get clear of our bowls at the very first moment. Then we should wash our face and eyes with water and then clean our mouth properly. After this, we should do exercise.

For how much time and we should do exercise or yoga? At what intensity? 

The answer to this question depends on our body type. If a person’s body is of Kapha type, then he/she should work out heavy for a long time. If a person’s body is of Pitta type, he/she should work out with moderate intensity till moderate time. And if Vata is a body type then he/she must exercise for less time in low intensity.

Regarding exercise, Ayurveda tells us that we should not stop exercising until we start sweating in our armpits. The reason is this point shows that enough heat has been generated in the body. And all the organs and parts of the body are now fully activated. We should take a bath after about half an hour of exercising or doing yoga.

Now the question comes whether cold water should be taken or hot while bathing.

So, preferences are also on the body type A Kapha type person loves to bathe in hot water. A Pitta type is preferred in cold warm or cold water. And a Vata type body likes to bathe in hot or extra hot water. Generally, our choice of the temperature of the water is also dependant on the outside weather.

For our healthy body, Ayurveda recommends that we should wash our head with cold water or at least water at room temperature because hot water is not good for hair. It also causes a bad effect on our eyes and heart. We can wash the rest of the body parts with warm water but bathing with more hot water is not recommended.

After bathing, it is recommended to meditate. Just like the body needs exercise similarly our brain also needs exercise and meditation strengthens our intellect. We can also do this meditation through Rituals like worshipping or praying. Idol worship is scientifically related to meditation. A person can mediate a lamp or candle in front of him by turning it is light into a focal point. This mental exercise helps in focusing on the activities that come in the rest of our day, removing discomfort from contemplation and helps to become Mentally strong and ready for the day.

Now, why should we Mediate an empty stomach only?

The digestive system becomes active as soon as the food is eaten, and the blood supply becomes busy in the process of digestion Which then is unable to complete justice for the brain’s meditation. That is why meditation should always be done on an empty stomach.

After this, one should take breakfast and breakfast should be done only after the sun rises. The reason for this is that as the sun rises in the sky, the fire element activity of our body gets activated. You must have noticed that if you get up before sunrise, then you do not feel hungry. Any healthy person often feels hungry only after one or two hours of sunrise. As the metabolic activities of the body begin in this time frame. And the rest of the organ’s functions get ready to eat the food.

Unlike Western Culture Ayurveda advises us to eat light food during breakfast which can be easily digested. This is because the body’s digestive system has been in rest mode all night. A heavy breakfast can have a bad effect on digestion. After half an hour of breakfast, we can start our work and continue to work till 12:30-1 pm. As per Ayurveda the right time for lunch is at 1 o’clock because the sun is at the peak and intense at this time. And the meal of the day is digested perfectly by our body. It gives the highest energy to the body. That is why we should eat this meal in the highest quantity concerning the whole day.

Now let us talk about sleeping in the afternoon.

India has a lot of places where all the shops in the Afternoon are closed and people go home to sleep. But in Ayurveda, no special encouragement is given to sleep in the afternoon. It has said that in summer only when the temperature is too high, at that time a person can take a rest for a while to conserve energy. Still, if you want to sleep in general, then a person of Kapha type should not take a rest in the afternoon. People of Pitta type can take around 20 mins rest and Vata type people can sleep a little longer because they sleep less at night anyway. Normal work life can be continued by evening.

There is a strong emphasis on evening recreation activity in Ayurveda.

It is recommended that every human should develop at least one such hobby in life as an evening recreation that is different from your daily job or work. Be it any sports, painting, music, or any activity done with the family. It is also said in Ayurveda that this activity is better with your relatives and family. Because our human body needs a sense of human interaction which is fulfilled by living with a family or community.

Now let us talk about dinner.

After sunset, the body’s digestive capacity becomes slow. And that is why it is recommended that we should have our dinner shortly after sunset around 8 to 8.30 pm. Because if we eat food much longer after sunset, then it takes too much time to digest. And it has also been said that there should be a difference of at least two hours between our mealtime and our bedtime. Due to which mucus secretions inside our body are controlled. Sleeping soon after eating food can cause obesity. So, a feeling of heaviness comes in the body.

And the thought process of the mind also slows down and more health issues are occurring because of that. Now you must have thought that our daily routine is over. But no, because here only the routine ends and there is night ahead in which we humans sleep.

If you observe nature, then you will find that there are very few species of animals that stay awake at night. Especially for hunting like the owl but most of the species sleep or rest at night and human beings also come in the same majority. This is obvious that a matter of staying awake at night is not good for health.

Size of the bed for sleeping.

In Ayurveda, the size and shape of the bed for sleeping are also mentioned. such that the height of the bed should not be more than the height of the knee of the person.

Now the question comes, how long should we sleep?

So, for a Kapha type person whose body mass gains quickly, they should sleep less so that the body stays in active mode for longer. People who have a Pitta type body should take a moderate amount of sleep around 7-8 hours. Those, whose body type belongs to the Vata category should sleep more than 8 hours. It is because their sleeping pattern is disturbed. In real life, it becomes a bit difficult to do this because for people as per body type, this sleeping style is inverted. So, it was a general routine 24 hours cycle as per Ayurveda.

Now We know that our times have changed a lot and most of us would feel hard to follow this routine. But the motive behind making this video is that you and I will release that this daily routine was followed in Ancient India. Even then people used to go to Gurukul for education like students today go to school and college. Even at that time, people used to go out of the house and work as I and you go to the office to work. They also used to do business at the time just like we do business today. But people of that time were aware of good health and keeping the health in focus and understanding the human body mechanics. They used to follow this Ayurvedic daily routine.

Today, the Western World is following the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda originated from our country. And they are progressing gradually. Here, most of us Indians are still deprived of this knowledge and wisdom. And we are ignorant about our country’s scientific knowledge. The time has come that we should take a pledge to improve our health.