Dinacharya – Daily Routine
This is a concept of Ayurveda. The word Dinacharya is derived from two words, ‘Din’ means Day and night and ‘Charya’ means activity. Dinacharya is a set of activities carried out according to cycles of the Doshas. Dinacharya helps to create balance during changes in Doshas, which occur naturally. Systematic and consistantDinacharya helps to tune with nature, promoting optimum wellness. Dinacharya is based on the cycles of nature and planning our activities around these cycles.
A day has 2 cycles :
- Day cycle (Sun cycle)
- Night cycle (Moon cycle)
For each cycle, there is 4-hour sequence dominated by Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Day cycle- Sunrise to Sunset - (6 am to 6 pm)
- 6 am to 10 am – Kapha
- 10 am to 2pm - Pitta
- 2 am to 6 pm - Vata
Night cycle- Sunset to Sunrise - (6 pm to 6 am)
- 6 pm to 10 pm – Kapha
- 10 pm to 2 am - Pitta
- 2 am to 6 pm - Vata
It includes- Waking up at morning, Elimination of stools, Dantadhavana and Jivanirlekhana (Oral hygiene), Nasya(Nasal medication), Massage, Exercise, Bathing, Meals, study-work, and sleeping.
- Waking up at morning- According to Ayurveda, one should wake up at BramhaMuhurta- i.e. 90 minutes before sunrise. As it is Vatakala activities of Vata (like the elimination of stool etc.) are carried out easily.
- Elimination of stools- After waking up one should pay attention towards stool evacuation. Elimination of stools should be without any trouble and without any additional effort.
- Dantadhavana and Jivanirlekhana (Oral hygiene)- Teeth and tongue should be cleaned. For teeth cleaning fine powders or sticks of astringent, pungent taste are used.Gargling with Luke warm water should be done after dantadhavana.
- Nasya(Nasal medication)- Medicated oil or ghee should be put into nose after Dantadhavana. Nasal medication gives strength to the eyes, ears, head, and hairs.
- Massage- Medicated oil should be applied to the whole body. Daily massage strengthens muscles, reduces vata.
- Exercise- Exercise in proper quantity is necessary. It provides better stability, gives lightness(not only weight loss), improves muscle strength, and improves the digestive strength of the body. It is advised to perform an exercise in ‘Ardhashakti’ i.e. half of one’s ability. When the body starts sweating over the forehead, armpits and breathing rate doubles one should understand that exercise is ‘Ardhashakti’.
- Bathing- After proper exercise bath should be taken. It is advised to bath with warm water for the part below neck region. While washing head excessive hot water should be strictly avoided. Daily head washing is contraindicated in cold, cough, indigestion, facial palsy. Bathing iscontraindicated inindigestion, fever and immediately after eating.
- Sleep- It has immense importance in the life. It is one of the tripods of life. When body and mind are tired one feels sleepy. Sleep in adequate quantity is necessary for health. Sleep should be taken at night for about 8 hours. Sleeping at daytime is not advisable generally.