The concept of Dinacharya (Dina – day and Acharya – to follow) dates back to ages and focuses on practicing an ideal daily routine. This begins with waking up early, which most of us think is a difficult task! Be it sleeping late or simply being in love with your bed more than anything else, the reasons for being a to-be early riser are many.
Waking up early keeps you active throughout the day and enhances your productivity. It promotes better mental state and ensures sound sleep. Ayurveda throws light on the step by step process to achieve this goal.
5 Steps To Being An Early Riser
1. Have An Early Dinner
It is a known fact that there should be a minimum of 2 hours gap between the time you have dinner and the time you go to bed. This promotes better digestion and sound sleep. The benefits double when your dinner time is as early as 6.30 p.m. or before sunset. Going to bed late by 10 p.m. is the best bet. This, of course, needs some efforts to schedule your whole day to fit in within that time.
2. Set Up An Evening Ritual
This includes a set of tasks you can do after dinner and before going to bed. Doing relaxing activities like massaging your feet, reading, listening to soothing music, or infusing some essential oils promote a sound sleep. Consuming warm milk mixed with turmeric lets your circadian rhythm function properly.
Staying away from distractions like TV, cell phones, or laptops during this time is also suggested. Caffeine and alcohol disrupt your sleep cycle badly, limiting the time and quantity of consumption helps.
3. Give Away Your Alarm Clock
The alarm is just an unnatural and rude way of waking up your body. Even the most pleasant tone could be disturbing. Ayurveda suggests setting an intention rather than an alarm to wake yourself up. The intention could be anything from exercising, chanting prayers, or organizing your day’s calendar. The mind has the capability to train itself to a certain time and set of activities when done on an everyday basis.
Before falling asleep, just remind yourself to get up at a particular time before 6 a.m. You’ll be surprised to see yourself waking up just at that time in a few days. Yes, you might miss your alarm in a few instances!
4. Wake Up Before 6 a.m.
Our body is greatly influenced by the time we go bed and the time wake up at. Apart from clocking 8 hours of sleep, it is important to know how our circadian cycle (sleep-wake cycle) works. The last phase of this 24-hour cycle falls between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. According to Ayurveda, this is the period of vata or movement within the body as well as in the surrounding. Waking up at this time helps you be in sync with the atmosphere, which, in turn, keeps you active throughout the day.
On the other hand, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. is the kapha phase, which is characterized by heavy, slow, and steady energy. Waking up between this phase promotes similar energies.
5. Wake Up The Ayurvedic Way
According to Ayurveda, the nerve endings of your hands have great energy stored within when you wake up. Rubbing your palms together and placing them on your eyes transfers this energy to your body, which awakens your whole system. Once you are out of the bed, splash some water on your face to instantly feel refreshed.
Now that you wake up well before your previous routine time, use that time to boost your health with exercise and a wholesome breakfast. With time, you will eventually see a visible difference in your energy levels and lifestyle, as waking up early boosts both physical and mental health.
