Have you ever felt like you wanted to change something in your life? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps you’ve occasionally felt the urge to get fitter or healthier or do something worthwhile to change your lifestyle. In the olden days, our ancestors lived life a little differently from what we do today, and overall it can be seen that they lived longer and healthier lives. According to Ayurveda, there is a particular way things should be done, based on our 3 pillar energies: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. This routine is called the Dinacharya. Wake up earlier(5:30-6 AM): “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise” is a saying that we’ve been hearing for ages. The pre-dawn hour is when your Vata is activated and your mind is highly receptive to information. This is why we tend to remember more details from dreams experienced early in the morning as opposed to those that occur at night. It is also scientifically proven that individuals that have an earlier bedtime tend to be less lethargic and more productive than the average individual. Oral hygiene: Along with brushing your teeth, you should also clean your tongue, preferably by using a scraper. This practice eliminates bad breath causing bacteria, draws toxins or ama out of the body, and prepares the digestive system by stimulating the taste buds. Oil pulling (Kavala graha) or the practice of swishing oil around the teeth can also help in improving oral hygiene. Massaging the gums is also a practice that helps in increasing circulation.

Drink a glass of warm water: This practice energises your organs, helps in shedding toxins from the body and initiates the digestion process. The metabolic rate increases as well. Elimination: 1-3 bowel movements per day is healthy as it expels toxins from the body. Any less could cause a Vata imbalance leading to constipation.

Neti and Nasya: Neti means “to guide” and Nasya means Nasal therapy. This practice involves using a neti pot to clear and moisturise the nasal pathway in order to keep it healthy and allow a balanced influx of air through. Nasya oils can be implemented too.

Massaging the body: In Sanskrit, abhy means ‘to rub’ and anga means ‘limbs’ and together these terms define Ayurvedic massage. Taking some time to gently massage yourself using warm oil has several benefits including hydration and increased circulation. Placing a few drops of warm oil in your ear canals is also a good practice.