The word Dinacharya or daily routine is derived from two roots, "Dina" meaning day and "Charya" meaning activity.
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Daily routine is necessary for maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit. The daily routine helps establish balanced constitution, aids in digestion and absorption, leads to peace, happiness and longevity.
A day consists of 2 cycles
1. Sun Cycle
2. Moon Cycle
First cycle (6am to 6pm)- sunrise to sunset
6am to 10 am = Kapha
10am to 2pm = Pitta
2pm to 6 pm = Vata
Second cycle (6pm to 6am)- sunset to sunrise
6pm to 10pm = Kapha
10pm to 2am = Pitta
2am to 6am = Vata
Dinacharya - Morning Routine
Wake-up at the same time: It is recommended that one should wake up before sunrise, with a feeling of freshness and lightness. This time changes according to body type. For example, kapha type person should wake up before 5 am. On the other hand vata type should wake up around 6 am. Keeping to a scheduled wake up time gets your body and mind set in a rhythm to gracefully begin your daily activities.
Personal hygiene: Wash your face with water & clean your eyes. This refreshes you immediately.
Oral hygiene: Brush teeth by using toothpaste which is astringent, pungent or bitter in taste. Traditionally neem stick or licorice stick was used as toothbrush.
Scrape your tongue: Tongue scraper should be made up of metal like gold, silver, copper, or brass. This helps in removing plaque or coats from tongue.
Oil Pull: For swishing or gargling, use sesame oil. It helps strengthen the teeth, gums, jaw, and voice, while improving the sense of taste. Swish it in your mouth for 5 minutes, or for as long as 15 minutes.
Eliminate: Drinking a glass or two of warm water helps in the elimination. Empty your bowls without straining. Keep a good habit of elimination daily.
Abhyanga or Self Massage: Apply oil on head regularly releases headaches, stress, hair becomes smooth strong and person does not suffer hair loss, greying of hair. Massage is very beneficial to skin use sesame oil or coconut oil. Body becomes smooth skinned, strong, prevents the signs of aging and gives good tactile stimulation. Daily massage will help to reduce stress, fatigue.
Nasya: Application of Nasal oil: Put 3 to 5 drops of sesame oil or ghee into each nostril in the morning. This inhalation helps to lubricate the nose, clears the sinuses, voice becomes sweet, and gives clear vision. Nose is the door to the brain and application of nose drops nourishes prana and gives strength to sense organs.
Bathing: Bathing is purifying it removes sweating, fatigue, and dirt. It refreshes body and mind gives energy and increases ojas.
Exercise: Any type of exercise should be practiced according to your capacity and body constitution. Yoga asanas can be performed along with Sun salutations. This improves flexibility of the body and improves the mental capacity. Physical exercise brings about lightness, stability and stimulates the digestive fire. Exercise daily to half of your capacity, which is until sweat forms on the forehead, armpits, and spine.
Meditation: Pranayama and meditation in the morning is the key to healthy body & mind. Meditation improves your ability to focus. It has calming effect on mind. It releases stress and gives strength to the mind. Chanting “Aum” (Om) will clear out your thoughts and will help to connect with inner sole. Meditation will bring peace and harmony.
Day Routine
Diet: Maintain a good habit of eating food on time. Eat your lunch around 12pm and dinner around 6 to 7pm. Avoid going to bed immediately after dinner. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat your food slowly, Do not eat in hurry or while running. Avoid eating while driving or working on computers. Chew your food properly, avoid over eating or less eating. Do not watch TV while eating. Avoid eating when emotionally disturbed like after fight, anger, stress, grief. Do not eat stale, leftovers, frozen foods. Do not eat before previous food is digested.
Evening Routine
Take Triphala (2 Tablets) with Warm Water, 1 Hour Before Sleep Triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic formula and is revered for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the digestive tract while replenishing, nourishing, and rejuvenating the tissues. It supports healthy elimination upon waking in the morning
Sleep: When mind along with sense organs get exhausted then person sleeps. Night is the natural time to sleep. Avoid having a full meal just before retiring to bed. If you want to support healthy deep sleep, consider a warm bath, a warm glass of milk with nutmeg and cardamom.