We all might be following some practices every day. Some of us have healthy diet regimen, few do yoga practice, others may indulge in favourite sport etc. When we dedicate the time daily to nourish our body and mind, we cultivate a practice of deeply respecting and loving ourselves. So, all these daily practices help us to stay tuned with the body and get aligned by nature’s rhythm. Understanding the nature’s cycle, according to Ayurveda, is critical in prescribing a regimen that is helpful to our health. Following a specific pattern can help us achieve optimal well-being by establishing harmony in our body, mind, and consciousness.
The word Dinacharya comprises of two terms – ‘Dina’ which means day and ‘charya’ meaning practise or action in Sanskrit. These daily rituals have a profound effect on our health and a routine, practised daily, is stronger remedy to bring back the body’s natural clock. So let’s see how do we realign our routines with nature’s rhythm.?
The Tridoshas – vata, pitta and kapha, each have their own predominant hours in a day. Understanding this concept helps us to keep ourselves healthy, and support the body’s healing potential. Based on this dosha cycle, you need to inculcate the daily routine and work schedule.
Wakeup Time
For preserving the wholesome lifespan a healthy person should arise from the sleep at Brahma muhurta. This can be considered as almost 1.5 hours (or 96 minutes) before the sunrise. Knowledge from the Atharvaveda suggest waking up at this time helps an individual to stay free from diseases. Also, its considered as an apt time to perceive any sort of knowledge. However, this regimen is not recommended to those who are diseased.
Cleansing of Mouth and Tongue Scrapping
After analysing for a while about one’s own body and being clean after bowel evacuation, oral hygiene should be attended to. Ayurveda has clearly given the instructions and recommends special herbs to carry out the procedure. The drugs having Kashaya (astringent), Katu (acrid), or Tikta (bitter) taste should be chosen for the same. Traditionally used herbs includes neem sticks, mango leaves, licorice roots etc. Brushing the teeth and scrapping the tongue eliminates bad odour, inability to perceive taste and sludge deposited over teeth, tongue and mouth and also improves taste.
Oil Pulling in trend
In recent years, oil pulling has gained a lot of popularity in the Western world. Oil pulling is a twenty-minute procedure that involves rinsing or swooshing oil in your mouth to maintain maximum dental health and hygiene. This procedure can be easily performed with coconut oil, which has antifungal and antibacterial actions. Ayurveda, on the other hand, highly recommends sesame oil for this procedure. Regular practise prevents gum diseases and jaw related disorders.
Homemade Kajal for healthy eyes
Acharyas has emphasised the importance of applying Anjanam (collyrium) daily to the eyes. After the application, rotate your eye balls and give a gentle massage to the eyelids as these helps the kajal to spread to all parts of eyes. It can benefit you with thick eyelashes, clean beautiful eyes and sharp vision.
Nasya an effective way to clear your Nasal Passage
Application of suitable medicines through nostrils is known as nasya.Taila (oil) or ghritha (ghee) are generally used for the procedure. Nasya removes unwanted mucosal secretions and clean the nasal sinuses providing nourishment to your brain. Ashtanga Hrudaya treatise advises use of Anu taila for nasya in low dose as part of daily routine.
Glowing skin with Oil Massage
Abhyanga the daily practise of oil application on the body is recommended as it retards aging, overcomes fatigue and annihilates effects of aggravated Vata dosha in the body. It has a great role in improving digestion and sleep, promotes healthy glowing skin and a sturdy physique. If you are unable to practise abhyanga on daily basis, at least oiling the head, ears and soles should be practised for its unparalleled benefits.
Commit to be fit with Exercise
The practise of physical exercise renders body light and efficient in activities, improves digestive capacity, wanes obesity and consistent body structure. Exercise or Yoga should be practised in full-fledged in winter and spring, and in other seasons it should be done using lesser strength.
Pledge towards Cleanliness
Snana (bathing) kindles the digestion, provides longevity, energy and strength. Ayurveda suggests gentle exfoliation of your body with salt or sugar scrub, followed by warm water bathing
Healthy Sleep facilitates healthy ageing
Sleep is very fundamental part of dinacharya and should not be comprised under any circumstances. According to Ayurveda an individual can sleep when his dinner is completely digested. Try to avoid using gadgets or heavy workouts just before sleep. This may disturb your natural circadian rhythm and gives a tough time to fall asleep. If you are suffering with insomnia, you can try massaging your soles with oil. This will easily accelerate you to deep sleep. Also, try to avoid taking nap in the afternoon as it increases the chances for Kapha accumulation in the body.
In this fast running pace of life many of you might have lost a track of daily regimen. As the saying goes – ‘better late than never’, any time is good to start a change or routine. Studies and many researches supports the fact that any new activity carried out judiciously for 21 days, naturally become a part of our daily life. So what are you waiting for. Kick start to your healthy daily regimen and honour your body.
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Punarnava Ayurveda 