Ayurveda
Daily Routine
01
Morning
Rise Before the Sun at 5 AM - To stay in synchronisation with nature, waking up prior to sunrise is recommended, as this is when there is natural movement in the atmosphere. Oxygen and earth energy is at its freshest just prior to sunrise and waking at this time helps to increase energy levels throughout the day.
Morning Hygiene Regime - Brush teeth and scrape your tongue to purify your mouth. Rinse your face and eyes with cold water or rose water to keep your eyes cool and refreshed. Reinvigorate your skin with natural, toxin free lotions. Apply 3-5 drops of warm ghee (never hot) to the entrance of each nostril to lubricate, clean your sinuses and to improve your voice, vision and mental clarity.
Drink a Glass of Warm Water - This helps eliminate toxins and impurities in the system.
Exercise at 5:30 AM - Yoga, walking, biking, and swimming help to remove stagnation, strengthen your digestive system, reduce fat and can provide you with an overall feeling of lightness and joy.
Meditation and Pranayama: Breathing exercises and 15 minutes of meditation, help set intentions for your day.
Eat Breakfast at 6:30 AM - Eat a filling breakfast comprised of wholesome, unrefined foods. This helps to minimize calories and maximise nutrients. An good example is coconut yogurt with chia seeds, strawberries, blueberries, cashews, yacon syrup or any pure natural fruit juice..
Get dressed and ready for the day. Your mind, body and soul will thank you for waking prior to sunrise.
02
Afternoon
Work - The most productive working hours of the day are between 10 AM. This time of the day is best for problem solving or completing any task that requires full attention and focus.
Eat Lunch - Eating your lunch between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM is highly recommended, if you wish to maintain good energy levels. Eat a hearty, healthy, nutritious meal consisting of fresh natural foods. Fresh vegetable or fruit salads are a perfect choice.
Walk - Take a gentle walk after eating lunch to aid in digestion.
03
Evening
Eat a Light Supper between 5 and 6 PM - Soups, salads, grains, and vegetables are ideal. it is best to try and avoid eating a heavy meal that is hard to digest before bed.
Practice Yogic Breathing and Meditation - This helps strengthen the body’s ability to fight diseases, keep calm and maintain overall good health.
Oil Massage (Abhyanga) - This helps to slow down the aging process by removing dryness and stagnation. Oil Massages help to promote lymphatic flow, whilst nurturing the mind and body. Sensual Massages can also aid in relieving stress from everyday life.
Evening Self-Care - A warm bath or shower, brushing your hair, brush your teeth and gently scraping your tongue is best practiced every night. Using coconut oil for oil pulling, which is an ancient Ayurveda practice, is becoming increasingly popular for overall oral hygiene.
Drink Tea or Warm Milk - A warm milk with turmeric and black pepper, or warm tea before bed may help bolster your immune system. You may like to try a homemade Turmeric Spiced Chai. Light reading, journaling, and Pranayama (yogic breathing), is also highly recommended to assist in achieving a good nights sleep.
Bedtime by 10 PM - Between 10 PM and 2AM, the human bodies internal organs and systems rejuvenate, heal and repair.
Author: Vanessa Wilde