Adopt A Simple Ayurvedic Daily Routine To Help Boost Your energy And Maintain Balance Throughout The Day.
The following daily ritual guide is designed to help you develop a daily routine that is harmonious with nature. Ideally, it will help you to slow down, reclaim balance and get your body into a healthy, natural rhythm.
MORNING ROUTINE
In the mornings, aim to rise before the sun. Anywhere between 4:30 and 6am is recommended, depending on your constitution (4:30 for Kapha types, 5:30 for Pitta’s, and 6am for Vata types). However, if this seems daunting, try to make rising at 6am a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. This will give you plenty of time to fit in all the activities you will (gradually) be adding to your life.
Once you start to feel more comfortable rising at this time, you can begin to set your alarm clock a half an hour earlier once or twice a week to start conditioning your mind and body to adapt to a 5:30am start. Believe me – once you get into the swing of your morning routine you will be bouncing out of bed before dawn (maybe even without your alarm!).
Upon rising, your morning ritual begins immediately…
1. Start with a few moments of awareness.
2. Head down to the bathroom and wash your face with cold water, brush your teeth and scrape your tongue (this helps to remove toxins from the tongue- if you don’t have a scraper, use a thin spoon).
3. Perform Neti. If you don’t have a neti pot, you can purchase one from your local centre.
4. Consume 1-2 glasses of tepid or warm water.
5. Empty your bowels. You may have to train your bowels to empty at this time. Try to be persistent in going to the toilet at the same time every morning, even if you don’t feel like it.
6. 5-10mins of Abhyanga, or self-massage.
7. Exercise.
8. 10 – 30mins of meditation.
9. Breakfast.
10. Get ready for work/school/get the children ready, etc
LUNCH ROUTINE (Vata: 11-12pm; Pitta: 1pm-ish; Kapha: 12-1pm-ish.)
Make sure you take time out to sit and eat a proper lunch, without any distractions (no reading books, taking work with you or talking on the phone, etc).
After you have finished eating, relax for 10-15mins (if you have time), and finish off your lunch break with a short walk to assist in the digestion process.
NIGHT TIME ROUTINE
Aim to eat your evening meal anywhere between 6 and 7pm. Again, no distractions!
Enjoy your meal, in good company with soothing music where possible. Be grateful for the food your body is receiving. Allow your food to settle (a mild walk is a nice way to encourage digestion). Before retiring to bed is a nice time to practice some calming yoga, write in your journal, or spend quality with family (without the TV 😉 ).
Aim to start winding down (away from computers, tv’s, etc) at least 30mins before you’re due to go bed, by reading a book or spending some time in contemplation or meditation. You can also try having a slightly sweetened warm, milky drink to help you get cosy before bed. Ideally, Vata types will be in bed around 10pm; Pittas around 10-11pm, and Kaphas are able to stay up until 11-12 am.
The importance of maintaining a regular routine should not be underestimated! Your metabolism thrives on regularity. Try it for yourself and notice how much easier it is to maintain your health.
By Samantha Doyle
Yoga Teacher | Ayurvedic Nutritionist | Wellness Coach