Daily Routine for Healthy Lifestyle: Put yourself back on track!

 

Now the world is speaking about Meditation, Energy system, Mindfulness, Law of attraction theories and so on. In all the above or such practices, they give importance to the present day, or the day which we have woken up. We should make that day happy, fruitful, successful, etc. Such happy and healthy days together makes years and decades.

So Ayurveda has given importance to daily regimen to be followed. All these have their own benefits and scientific relevance.

Here are some important activities that help us to start a fruitful day.

1.  Wake-up time: At Bramhi Muhurta (90 min before sunrise), start the day – waking up early is success mantra of many successful people. 

Brahma muhurt (time of higher energy or Brahma) is a period (muhurta) one and a half hours before sunrise—or more precisely, 1 hour and 36 minutes before sunrise. Literally meaning "The Creator's Hour".

Any activities performed early in the morning have a greater effect than in any other part of the day. Each muhurta lasts 48 minutes, and therefore the Brahma muhurta begins 1 hour and 36 minutes before sunrise, and ends 48 minutes before sunrise. For example, if sunrise is at 6am, the brahma muhurta begins at 4:24am. If sunrise is at 7am, brahma muhurta begins at 5:24am, and so on. So Take out the calendars or Browse and note down the next day’s Sunrise time and plan your Brahmi muhurta wake up time, to make wise of the following benefits.

Brahama Muhurta is perfect time to experience the freshness of the environment, which keep the body healthy and fit. Boosts the immune system. Increase memory power and energy levels. It helps in rejuvenating the various physiological function of the body, especially related to the hormonal variations. Brahma Muhurta is an excellent period for spiritual practices and has sacred energy for worship of higher power ‘Brahma’ inside you. Brahma Muhurta makes individuals feel inspired and motivated for waking up to a new day.

2.     Oral hygiene was always given high importance. Since the ages or dates back, India has its own habits of oral hygiene, which may not be the usage of tooth paste or Synthetic brush, but they use a neem/Khadira stick or crystal salt/ charcoal etc. Some of the good practices that could be followed in the modern time for a good oral hygiene:

• Brushing the teeth – Brushing should not be harsh or affect gums. It helps to remove foul smell and improves taste perception in the food.
• Tongue scraping – scraping the dirt deposited on tongue helps to eliminate bad breath 
• To keep the freshness of mouth one can chew jati phala, arecanut, lavanga, betel leaf, elaichi, pach karpoora etc (Note – excess of intake of above is not recommended)
• Gargling: Gargling with herbal oil helps to strengthen jaws, voice, improves the function of taste buds, improves taste for food. Reduces dryness of throat, dryness of lips, prevents tooth caries, sensitiveness etc
• As of for the present situation, one can use warm water or salt water for gargling on a daily basis.

3        Oil application

• Oiling Head (Head massage): Applying oil to head prevents head ache, early greying, hair fall, strengthens head and sense organs. Improves hair growth, black colour. Imparts complexion to face. Induces sound sleep. Helps to cools down the Body. One can apply oil twice or thrice a week. Any herbal oil or plain coconut oil can be used.
• Oil application to Body (Abhyanga) : Apply Luke warm Oil liberally all over the body by self, half an hour before bath, can massage slightly is possible and take warm water bath. Abhyanga Prevents dryness of skin, provides suppleness to skin, rejuvenates. Eliminates foul smell of the body, relives heaviness, drowsiness, itching, excessive sweating of the body. For massaging purpose herbal Ayurveda oils or sesame oil can be used.

Foot massage or foot therapy (Padaabhyangam):

• Apply Luke warm Oil liberally all over the both foot by self, can massage slightly is possible and wash with warm water or apply 20 min before bath . Foot massage Prevents roughness, numbness, fatigue, cracks in the feet. Improves eye sight, strength of the body. This therapy holds a special place of importance in Ayurveda because our feet connect our body. Foot care is holistic and as a therapy, involves massaging the pressure points with herbal and medicinal oils. Applying the right massage techniques relieves the body of its ailments and restores the root of our body and soul through our feet. Basically helps as a good detox for de stressing the body. (Getting Shiroabhyanga/ Abhyanga/ Padaabhyanga from an expert/ therapist differs from doing self. You can get authentic Ayurveda abhyanga at wellbeeing center, for best experience and results)

3.     Vyayama - physical work out-

• One can practice walking, Yoga, Aerobics, gym etc as their physical work outs. One should adopt their physical work outs based on their strength. Ayurveda recommands to vyayama up to half of their strength. Excess than their strength causes unnecessary stress to the body until it is recommended based on your body type or Health issues. It Improves general physical and mental health. Regularizes the hormone secretion, maintains weight. However Yoga cannot be considered as a mere exercise. They are ‘kriyas’ that can bring the union of body-mind, and ‘individual consciousness with universal consciousness’. This can be explained as balance of our breath-body’s physiology-energy levels.

4.     Body hygiene

• Snana / Bathing – Warm water bath is recommended with the use of any herbal soap/gel or desired shower gel. It is the first and foremost hygiene step thought to us and is considered as a first step of purifying our body externally after which the internal purification is observed by means of prayers and meditation. It Relieves fatigue, sweating and removes dirt. Improves strength and rejuvenates the general health. Any Herbal Leaves like neem, eucalyptus etc or any herbal powders.
• Wear clean washed cloths after bath – It is considered as charm, enhances longevity, mangala kara, removes negativity. It brings happiness.
• One can use mild fragrance – It is pleasing to mind.
• One should trim their hairs and nails regularly as part of Hygiene.
• Wear foot wear while going out – Prevents any injuries to foot, formation of corn, cracks etc.

5.     Managing your emotions - Sadachara, Sadvritta, Satsangha - Always try to engage spiritual practice, good conduct and finding the right company in any activities you do. It promotes Sattva Guna (balanced mental state) in the body.

• Control mental urges like ego, anger, grief, depression, anxiety etc.
• Do not suppress physical urges like passing urine or bowels, coughing, sneezing etc. What needs to pass out should pass out of body on time, and not stagnate. Anything that does-not flow in the body loses energy and attracts infection

6. Ahara Niyama - How to take food. One should adopt freshly cooked, balanced diet, follow timely intake of food, easily digestible and warm while having. Reduced too much of fried items, oily, spicy and junk food.

• Do not over eat or eat less, eat balanced. Drink right amount of water
• Always include seasonal fruits and vegetables in your diet. Food gives us energy and proper nutrition improves immunity. Good immunity takes care of our General health and mental health. Helps to keep ourselves Active throughout the day.  

-          -By Dr. Vatsala, Principle Consultant Ayurveda, WELLBEEING, Integrated Health Centre, Bangalore