Ayurvedic Daily Regimen – The Rationale Behind the Timings

According to ayurveda experts, the timing of daily activities has a direct impact on the body and mind.

Each of the doshas which control well-being – Vata, Pitta and Kapha – are dominant at a particular time of day or night. By timing the daily routine to match the increasing and decreasing influences of the doshas, individuals can stay healthier and be more productive.

Planning the daily activities to routinely coincide with highest concentration of doshas is the principle behind DINACHARYA (daily regimen according to ayurveda).

A Guide to Plan Your Daily Activities (for Best Health Results)

Although the ayurvedic timing of daily actions does not have to be exact, it is prudent to know the most prominent periods of concentration for each dosha:

• Vata: 2-4 a.m., 8-10 a.m., 2-4 p.m., 8-10 p.m.
• Kapha: 4-6 a.m., 10-12 a.m., 4-6 p.m., 10-12 p.m.
• Pitta: 6-8 a.m., 12-2 p.m., 6-8 p.m., 12-2 a.m.

Those wishing to achieve the best timing for their day in order to be under the influence of the most powerful dosha should use the following as a guideline:

1. Arise about two hours before the sun comes up to make evacuation of waste from the body much easier. Starting the day when Vata is at its height will help regulate the digestive system.
2. Then, it is best to exercise when Kapha is predominant or is on the ebb. Exercise should be followed by physical cleansing and dressing for the day. Massaging the body with oils also works best during this time.
3. Next, breakfast should be consumed while Pitta is predominant in order to encourage good digestion.
4. Work should also be scheduled according to the doshas whenever possible. Work involving processing or motion is better when Vata is in strong; work involving mental agility should be done when Pitta is predominant; and, jobs requiring physical labor are easier under the influence of Kapha.
5. To prevent the formation of gas and acid, it is best to eat lunch between noon and 2:00 p.m., and dinner is easier for the body to digest between 6:00 and 8:00 at night.
6. Bedtime for those trying to follow the best ayurvedic timing should be during the hours that Kapha is predominant, somewhere between 9:30 and 11:30 p.m.

Don’t Ignore Your Body Forces

The reason most modern people have difficulty keeping their systems functioning properly is because their schedules are at odds with the recommendations of ayurvedic dinacharya.

By ignoring the time tables set by the forces within the body, mankind receives no help from nature, making everything more difficult. Sleeping late, eating at odd hours, and not resting at the proper times can throw the body out of kilter and result in a variety of problems and illnesses.

To prevent constipation, indigestion, insomnia, sexual difficulties, and other related conditions, it is best to establish a regimen that works with nature rather than against it.

Ordering the day to match the rise and decline of the doshas can result in increased energy and vigor, as well as a stronger immune system. Although forming these new habits may be difficult in the beginning, they will certainly be well worth the effort in the long term.