Ever feel out of balance? Read further for nine simple Ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines you can incorporate into your day for an increased sense of balance.
Ayurveda Lifestyle
Ayurveda originated in Ancient India over 5,000 years ago. It is a science of conscious living popular in India today and becoming more and more approved worldwide.
Ayurveda teaches us how to live in such a way to optimize our health and well-being while keeping diseases at bay.
According to Ayurveda, we can maintain or regain perfect health by healthy food choices and a balanced lifestyle.
Ayurveda Daily Routines
Having a daily routine is one of the most powerful Ayurvedic tools for improving overall health and maintain optimal well-being; physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Applying an appropriate daily routine invites health, vitality, a sense of clarity, and well being into your life.
It is, in my opinion, one of the most loving things you could do for yourself. I genuinely believe that a proper daily routine can tremendously improve your quality of life, especially if you have an appetite for body, mind, and spirit connection.
Although having a daily routine is at the core of an Ayurvedic lifestyle, there is no single prescription right for everyone.
However, Ayurveda provides a knowledge of life that will boost your sense of well-being and vitality.
When you use this wisdom to create an Ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines (healthy habits and activities), every moment becomes an opportunity to remember that perfect health is a state of being in which your body, mind, spirit, and environment are in perfect harmony.
These are nine simple Ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines you can easily incorporate into your day to have a more balance and raise the quality of every aspect of your life.
1. Wake Up Before Sunrise
Ayurveda considers early mornings when the first rays of light begin to shine across the sky; the most magical time of the day. The sight of dawn, the pure fresh air touching the skin, and the singing birds prepare us for a new day.
The science of Ayurveda suggests waking up an hour and a half before sunrise when it is still dark outside.
- Vata types: should wake up around 6 am
- Pitta types: should wake up by 5:30 am
- Kapha types: should wake up about 4:30 am
2. Meditate
Meditation is an essential part of an Ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines.
Meditation reduces stress, disciplines the mind, and increases self-awareness and clarity.
Fifteen to twenty minutes of meditation in the morning is the best way you can prepare for the day, regardless of your Ayurvedic type.
If you seek all the benefits of meditation, I highly recommended looking for a qualified teacher. However, there are several meditation techniques that you can learn right away.
- Sit in a comfortable position, with your spine erect.
- Lightly position your hands on your lap.
- With your eyes closed, gently let your attention follow your breath.
- Just breathe normally.
- When you notice your mind wandering elsewhere, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
- By focusing your attention on your breathing, your mind will become calm, and you will sink deeper and deeper into a state of relaxation.
3. Yoga
Ayurveda favors yoga as it calms the mind, strengthens the digestion system, and balances body, mind, and spirit.
Ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines simple yoga sequence for all three Doshas:
- 1 -6 minutes of Surya Namaskara. Sun Salutation is a combination of gentle stretches and balance poses. Surya Namaskara is a perfect sequence to start the day. It removes stagnation and gets your energy moving.
- 10-15 minutes of a gentle set of yoga poses.
- 5-10 minutes of Pranayam breathing enhances mental and physical stamina by clearing the mind and oxygenating the body. Click here to read more about the stunning benefits of Alternate Nostril Breathing and simple instructions how to practice Alternate Nostril Breathing.
Pitta types: Active asanas (postures) combined with long rest and meditation will help Pitta’s find deep rest.
Vata types: Yin Yoga, a slow-paced style where asanas are held for more extended periods, is excellent for lighter Vata’s who may enjoy a more grounding approach.
Kapha types: A power yoga is superb to energize and revitalize the heavier Kapha’s.
If you know your Ayurvedic constitution, you can use this wisdom to support your dosha and enhance your yoga practice.
4. Exercise
Regular exercise increases physical strength and overall health and well-being. It improves circulation and endurance, enhances immunity, relaxes the mind, and reduces anxiety and depression.
Ayurveda recommends practicing exercise daily with moderation. It is okay to sweat, but the key is not to overdo it. A signal that it might be time to stop exercising is when you begin to experience a feeling of exhaustion in the heart and lungs.
In Ayurveda, the type of exercise, the intensity, and the amount of physical activity depend on your individual dosha.
Pitta types, in general, do well with more moderate exercises.
Vata types are better with light exercises such as yoga or walking.
Kapha types can engage in more challenging exercises.
5. Self-Massage
Taking care of the body, mind, spirit, and skin is an essential part of an ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines.
Ayurveda recommends a full-body self-massage with warm oil before taking a shower at least once a day every day. If you are on the run, massage your ears, neck, scalp, and soles.
Pitta types: Go well with coconut or sunflower oil.
Vata types: Sesame oil is good for the Vata’s.
Kapha types: Do well with mustard or sunflower oil.
Some of the many benefits of an oil massage;
- It is soothing and releases accumulated toxins.
- It tones muscles and stimulates circulation.
- It keeps the skin soft.
6. Diet
When you know your Ayurvedic constitution, you can use this knowledge to make conscious food choices.
Pitta types:
- Can balance the fire element with cool foods such as salads, fruit juices, grains, and steamed vegetables.
- Should avoid hot spicy, and fried food.
- Limit meat and excessive alcohol.
Vata types:
- Can balance the moving energy with grounding foods, such as warm, cooked, steamed, or roasted vegetables, stews, and soups.
- Should avoid cold, dry, and raw foods.
- Limit caffeinated and carbonated beverages.
Kapha types:
- Can balance the heavy earth element with light meals such as veggies and salads. Herbs and spices are excellent for Kaphas.
- Should avoid oily, fatty junk food, and sweet.
- Limit the intake of carbohydrates, dairy, and creamy foods.
Ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines general guidelines:
- Ayurveda recommends incorporating all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter, and astringent) into your diet.
- Eat three times a day at a fixed time.
- No snacking between meals.
- Avoid heavy food at night.
- It is best to have the last meal of the day at least three hours before going to sleep.
- Sit quietly, eat slow, and enjoy every bite.
7. Environment
Our environment is a reflection of ourselves. It can also uplift or bring us down. Design your space with colors and scents that please your senses and calms your mind—always keep it clean and tidy.
8. Practice love and compassion
Negative feelings such as fear, hatred, and anger create toxins in the body. Commit to positive emotions such as love, compassion, understanding, and appreciation.
When you understand your true nature and the play of the five elements, any angry man can come yelling at you, and you will remain calm and poise, knowing it’s just an overflow of the fire element.
9. Get some Rest
Rest is an essential part of the ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines. A good night’s rest will keep your vibration high and allow you to be more productive throughout the day.
Ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines general guidelines:
- Have a fixed time to wake up and go to bed.
- Go to bed at or before 10:00 pm.
- Make sure to get six to eight hours of sleep.
- Limit daytime siestas.
So there you have it. If you are ready to have more balance in your life, here are nine simple Ayurveda lifestyle & daily routines you can incorporate into your days:
- Wake up before sunrise
- Meditate
- Yoga
- Exercise
- Self-Massage
- Diet
- Environment
- Practice love and compassion
- Get some rest
For a detailed introduction to Ayurveda please click here.
If you enjoyed this post, please make sure to leave me a comment below.
Dinacharya is a Daily Routine based on the Ayurvedic Wisdom. To learn more about Dinacharya – Ayurveda’s Perfect Daily Routine click here. For a FREE Dinacharya Handbook Subscribe below.