The Daily Routine
The daily routine
The shift may be very easy for some, I personally struggled finding a way to change my schedule and stick to it. I found that what works for me was, to make sure to think about the routine as a need, as a MUST DO, I also stopped thinking about time/rush. How you start your day is how your future will be, I kept that in mind every morning. We all have had those days, where you started with your left foot and after your whole day was shitty. Well think about it, and act on it, basically. Don’t allow yourself to procrastinate on your routine AT ALL. In Ayurveda, the importance of a consistent daily routine can’t be underestimated. It sets the tone for your entire day, bringing a sense of calm and well-being. It gives the body, mind, and spirit the chance to ground and cleanse, to start afresh.
MORNING ROUTINE
Wake Up at the Same Time & NO SNOOZE button
Keeping to a scheduled wake up time gets your body and mind set in a rhythm in a flow to gracefully begin your daily activities.
Scrape Tongue: Use a tongue cleaner to remove any bacteria coating on the tongue. This stimulate the digestive system.
Brush Teeth: Traditional Ayurvedic toothpastes are bitter, astringent and/or soothing in nature, like neem and licorice.
Drink Warm Water: Drinking a glass of warm water cleanses and awakens the digestive tract, hydrates the tissues, and encourages a bowel movement.
Oil Pull: Swishing and gargling with warm sesame oil 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.
Rinse Face, Mouth, and Eyes: A splash of cool water is soothing and rejuvenating to the face, mouth, and eyes. It brings a sense of freshness to the body and mind.
Eliminate
A bowel movement each morning is a sign of a healthy digestive system. If you are not eliminating daily, be sure your diet includes of plenty of uids and ber. And to support regular bowel movements, try taking triphala at night (see evening routine).
Self-Massage (Abhyanga), Ear Lubrication, and Nasal Lubrication
Self -Massage: This is a profound practice of rejuvenation and loving self-care. Performing a self-massage with warm oil
calms the nervous system lubricates and rejuvenates and promotes healthy circulation. Daily Massage Oil is a good choice for abhyanga.
Ear Lubrication: Place a few drops of warm oil in each ear.
Nasal Lubrication (Nasya): Place a few drops of Nasya Oil
in the nose.
Bathe
Showering will cleanse the body and bring energy and alertness to the being. If you have done a self-massage, rinsing the skin with warm water will generally su ce to remove excess oil.
Self-Enhancing Practice
Take some time for a self-enhancing practice. This can be meditation, pranayama (breath techniques), yoga, journaling, prayer, or other activities that bring well-being to your spirit and mind. The more you allow for these types of practices, the greater the bene ts.
DAY ROUTINE
Eat Regular Meals
• Irregular meals and excessive snacking can weaken the digestive re.
• Whenever possible, consume your largest meal at noon (lunch time). This is when your digestive re is at its strongest, and you will be able to derive the most nutrition from your meal.
• Favor warm, cooked meals, in accordance with the doshas you want to balance and the season.
• Focus on eating without any distractions.
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.
Keep a Regular Bedtime
Having a scheduled bedtime trains the body to know that it is time to wind-down and recuperate.
Promoting Healthy Sleep
If you want to support healthy deep sleep, consider a warm bath, a warm glass of milk with nutmeg and cardamom, or herbal support such as I Sleep Soundly.