Maintaining good health and well-being demands more than occasional walks or infrequent healthy meals. It requires ongoing commitment and consistency. Following an Ayurvedic daily routine helps align your body’s natural rhythms with energy cycles, supporting optimal health. As simple as it may sound, sustaining this consistency is one of the biggest challenges for women trying to adopt a healthy lifestyle and maintain work-life balance.
Ayurveda for health believes in ‘Dinacharya’ – or ‘daily practices’ that align with your energy cycles. Starting from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed, Ayurveda offers simple and practical steps to incorporate healthy habits into your daily routine.
Read on to learn how you can stay energetic and focused throughout the day using simple Ayurvedic practices.
In this article:
- What is Dinacharya?
- How does it work?
- Before 06.00 AM
- Between 06.00AM and 10.00AM
- Between 10.00 AM and 02.00 PM
- Between 02.00 PM and 06.00 PM
- Between 06.00 PM and 10.00 PM
- Between 10.00 PM and 02.00 AM
- Between 02.00 AM and 06.00 AM
- Conclusion
What is Dinacharya?
‘Dinacharya’ is a Sanskrit term and comes from Dina – meaning daily, and Charya – meaning Routine. Dinacharya includes habits and practices like oil pulling or simple breathing exercises that don’t take more than a few minutes of your time. Ideally, each practice is done during a certain time of the day; you can also do them at your convenience. This makes it easier and more convenient for busy women who juggle work, family, their personal life, health, and hygiene.
How does it work?
Your body has an innate master clock called ‘circadian rhythms’, which regulates mental, behavioral, and physiological changes throughout a 24-hour cycle. Ayurveda’s Dinacharya practices complement these rhythms to enhance energy and productivity.
A review summarized the findings of experimental studies assessing the link between body rhythms, metabolism, and energy levels. Research shows that when daily routines align with the body’s circadian cycle, they support metabolism, mood stability, and energy regulation.
Similar to this, Ayurveda believes that your body doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – dominate in 4-hour cycles each day.
- Kapha dominates 06:00–10:00 AM and PM
- Pitta dominates 10:00–02:00 AM and PM
- Vata dominates 02:00–06:00 AM and PM
Here’s how you can align your daily activities with your natural energy cycles throughout a 24-hour cycle:
Before 06:00 AM
Ayurveda emphasizes waking up early and ideally before 06:00 AM. This is because once you hit the 06:00 AM mark, you enter the Kapha dominant zone, which may leave you feeling sluggish. Starting your day early allows you to harness the lighter, more alert energy of Vata.
Following an Ayurvedic daily routine by rising early allows you to harness the lighter, more alert energy of Vata, setting a balanced tone for the rest of the day.
Between 06:00 AM and 10:00 AM
During the Kapha period, your body naturally moves at a slower pace. To avoid feeling heavy, start your day with light activity, such as yoga or a brisk walk. Have a light and warm breakfast to gently activate your digestion and set the tone for the day.
Between 10.00 AM and 02.00 PM
This is when you enter the Pitta-dominant time of the day. Pitta is the energy of the fire and water and is considered the most productive and active time of the day. Focus on completing most of your chores or projects during this time. The natural heat of the earth supports digestive fires during this time so you can have a full meal.
A research titled ‘Panorama of Pitta Dosha in Ayurveda” summarized the role of Pitta in your daily life. They reported that Pitta dosha can control your hunger, appetite, thirst, and food cravings. It also helps maintain your natural body temperature. The fire element of Pitta dosha is what facilitates your digestion process.
Between 02.00 PM and 06.00 PM
This is when you enter Vata, the dominant time of the day that harnesses the energy of air and space. It is considered the best time to do creative thinking, problem-solving, or any creative hobbies you’re into. Avoid bright lights and choose a quiet corner to retreat, you can read a book, work on your creative projects, and spend peaceful time with your family.
As the day transitions into the night, the natural cycle of doshas repeats, starting from Kapha.
Between 06.00 PM and 10.00 PM
Dominated by the Kapha energies of water and earth, the time between 6 and 10 PM can feel a bit heavier and ideal to wind down. You can begin by having a light dinner followed by a warm bath, oil massage, skincare, or a cup of your favorite herbal tea that can help you feel grounded. It’s important to avoid screen time and stimulating activities during this time. Following an Ayurvedic daily routine during this phase can help improve digestion, ease stress, and prepare the body for deep, restorative sleep.
Research on blue light exposure right before bedtime shows that it can disrupt your natural circadian rhythms and reduce the production of melatonin, leading to poor sleep quality and health problems.
Between 10.00 PM and 02.00 AM
Pitta is the most productive time of the night as well, but this time, the activities continue to happen inside your body. When you’re asleep, your body begins internal cleansing, helping you reset and prepare for another day full of life and health. Interestingly, staying awake during this time can make you feel that sudden burst of energy and productivity. But it’s unhealthy and can ruin your next day.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess if your doshas can affect your sleep quality and quantity. A total of 995 participants were assessed for their dosha scores and sleep quality in the next week. They found that people with higher Vata scores took more time to fall asleep and woke up less rested. Similarly, people with higher Kapha scores took longer naps during the daytime. This means that your dominant dosha can affect the quality and quantity of your sleep.
Between 02.00 AM and 06.00 AM
The natural energy cycle transitions into the Vata-dominant part of the night. However, this time, not for creativity but for receptivity. It’s the best time to let the energies of air and space flow through your body. You can meditate, pray, and do your yoga or breathing exercises during this time.
Conclusion
Understanding your unique dosha and harnessing its qualities to guide your daily activities can help you tap into your true potential. You can get most of your day, be productive, and achieve more while maintaining a good work-life balance by following an Ayurvedic daily routine. Ayurveda is more than just doing yoga and herbal teas; it’s a lifestyle, and lifestyles require small yet consistent efforts to build.
Although these simple and practical Ayurvedic routines are for everyone, getting one-to-one advice from a certified expert can steer you in the right direction. At AyuNidhi, our Ayurvedic health experts do just that. Based on your daily routines, workload, and health goals, they can build tailored plans to help you achieve good health and well-being.
If you’re looking to incorporate Ayurveda into your busy routine and are not sure where to begin, book a consultation now!
