Modern life can be very inconsistent. Some days you wake up later than usual while other days you have more screen time or eat late at night. Dinacharya Ayurveda is an ancient Ayurvedic concept which recommends a specific sequence of daily routines.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, Dinacharya is a Sanskrit word which means ‘daily regimens’. These describe a broad concept of daytime and nighttime routines. Ancient Ayurvedic scriptures mention waking up, oral and body hygiene, exercise, meals and other practices as part of a daily regimen. An academic review article on Ayurvedic daily routines highlights Dantadhavana, tongue cleaning, Abhyanga, brushing and bathing exercises as examples of Dinacharya. Find out more about the traditional Ayurvedic daily regimen.
A modern interpretation of the Ayurvedic routine does not require following all the traditional practices. It can be used as inspiration to create a consistent and manageable sequence of events which supports your lifestyle, age and other factors.
1) Ayurveda Daily Regimen: What is Dinacharya?
The idea of a daily regimen in Ayurveda is simple: everyday routines can be organised in a specific sequence rather than random order.
Ancient Ayurvedic descriptions of Dinacharya recommend:
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Waking up at the same time every day
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Oral hygiene
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Body hygiene
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Abhyanga (oil massage)
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Exercises
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Bathing
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Taking regular meals and
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Evening routines leading to sleeping on time
All of these fall under the umbrella term of Ayurvedic regimens. Please note that these should be used as guidelines for a general wellness routine, and not as advice or recommendation for the treatment or prevention of any disease.
Consistency is key to any successful routine. As with most health and wellness areas, a simple and sustainable approach is more beneficial than trying to achieve perfection.
2) Morning Routines in the Ayurvedic Tradition
A morning routine in Ayurveda is centred on waking up early and taking time for self-care before starting the day.
1. Wake Up At The Same Time Every Morning
Rather than using a specific time recommended by ancient Ayurvedic traditions, you can design a simple sequence of actions which you can perform every morning at a reasonable hour.
A relaxing morning routine may include:
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Getting up from the bed without looking at the phone
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Washing the face
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Drinking water if thirsty
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Taking care of the teeth and
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A few minutes of preparation before work or other activities
The point is to find a specific sequence of actions which you can follow consistently.
2. Oral Hygiene Practices
Ancient Ayurvedic texts highlight Dantadhavana (oral care) as an important part of a morning routine. However, these only supplement modern oral hygiene practices.
Brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste and using other recommended oral care products are essential for maintaining good oral health. You can find more information about oral care recommendations from American Dental Association.
Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic practice, but it should not be used as a substitute or a supplement for brushing, flossing or visiting the dentist.
3. Physical Activities Are Also Part Of It
Physical activity is an integral part of any Ayurvedic routine.
In a similar way to morning oral hygiene, it does not have to be particularly intense or lengthy.
You can simply decide on a series of actions which involve getting your body moving, such as:
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Walking
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Stretching
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Yoga and
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Exercises
An active lifestyle is essential for maintaining good health.
The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. You can find more information about the benefits of physical activity in adults and older adults.
Depending on your age, fitness level and other individual factors, you should consult your doctor to find an exercise regime which suits your needs.
3) Abhyanga and Oil Massage: What Dinacharya Says
Abhyanga is a Sanskrit word which refers to oil massage and applying oil on the skin. Ancient Ayurvedic scriptures mention body massage as a part of a daily regimen.
A body massage can be seen as a luxurious comfort measure in a modern context.
If you decide to use any topical oils or balms, remember that these are for external use only.
They should not be applied on damaged or irritated skin. Moreover, it is important to make sure that the product has been approved for the intended use and does not cause any adverse reactions.
Ayurvedic massage products can be used as a part of a general wellness routine, but they should not be used as a replacement for any medical treatment.
Vasu Baby Care range includes a variety of baby care products. Parents can choose separate skincare products for children of different ages. Make sure to follow the instruction for use provided on the packaging of any topical products.
4) Establish Consistent Eating Patterns
The modern interpretation of Dinacharya Ayurveda can also apply to eating patterns.
You do not have to follow a specific timing for meals. However, you can make sure that you do not skip meals unnecessarily and try to eat at regular intervals.
Other useful eating habits include:
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Not eating too quickly
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Having a variety of foods groups
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Listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues
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Drinking plenty of fluids and
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Making sure that your diet is suitable for your needs
Ancient Ayurvedic scriptures mention diet, nutrition and eating behaviour as a part of a daily regimen. The requirements for nutrition change with age, level of physical activity, pregnancy and other factors. Make sure to consult a doctor or a dietitian regarding your individual requirements for calories and other nutrients.
5) Evening Routine Ayurveda
The evening routine Ayurveda focuses on is quite similar to the morning sequence but in the reverse order. It starts with winding down after a busy day and ends with preparing for sleep.
Some of the actions which you can add to your evening wellness routine include:
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Putting away any stimulating activities
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Limiting screen time
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Preparing for the next day
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Making your sleeping environment comfortable and
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Going to sleep at a reasonable hour
Adequate sleep is essential for maintaining good health and wellbeing. The importance of good sleep hygiene has been emphasised by researchers. For more information about sleep and its benefits, you can visit the website of the Center For Disease Control and Prevention.
The purpose of an evening routine is not to improve your sleep quality but to help you establish a pattern of winding down before going to sleep.
6) How To Follow Dinacharya Ayurveda?
If you are wondering how you can follow Dinacharya Ayurveda, make sure that you do not try to establish a perfect routine on the first day.
Start with only 3-4 actions which you can consistently follow. For example, you can try to establish a morning sequence of waking up, oral hygiene, light exercising and a hot shower. Then, you can progress to other actions throughout the day and night.
A simple guide to a daily routine in Ayurveda could look like this:
Morning
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Wake up at the same time
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Oral hygiene
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Light exercising
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Have a hot shower
Day
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Have regular meals
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Drink enough fluids
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Work and other activities
Evening
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Personal hygiene
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Limit screen time
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Prepare for sleep
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Go to sleep at the same time
The routine which you choose depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences. Make sure that you do not put too much pressure on yourself.
7) Benefits Of Dinacharya Ayurveda As Daily Wellness Routines
When discussing the benefits of Dinacharya Ayurveda, it is important to emphasise that it cannot prevent, treat or cure any diseases. It should be considered as a part of a general wellness lifestyle.
However, maintaining a consistent daily wellness routine has been found to be helpful in:
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Having an organised set of everyday activities
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Having regular meals
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Remembering to exercise
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Having a relaxing morning routine and
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Being able to go to sleep without rushing
Tips For A Modern Interpretation Of Dinacharya
A modern interpretation of Dinacharya Ayurveda can be as simple as establishing a basic morning and an evening routines. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
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Start with small changes and only add new actions to your daily routine if they are sustainable in the long run
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Make sure to go to sleep and wake up at roughly the same time
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Brush your teeth regularly
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Get into a habit of light exercising
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Have regular meals and hot showers or baths
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Drink enough water
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Only use Ayurvedic products for their intended purpose and
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Do not replace any medical treatment with Ayurvedic practices
Conclusion
Dinacharya Ayurveda introduces the idea of a consistent set of daily activities. Instead of trying to memorise all the ancient Ayurvedic practices, you can use it as inspiration to design a sequence of simple morning and evening routines.
Following a consistent daily wellness routine can be very beneficial for your health and lifestyle. It can be helpful in establishing consistent sleeping patterns, a balanced diet, oral and body hygiene and other important behaviours.
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FAQs About Dinacharya Ayurveda
1. What is Dinacharya Ayurveda?
Dinacharya Ayurveda is an ancient Ayurvedic concept which describes a set of daily routines.
2. What is included in an Ayurvedic daily routine?
An Ayurvedic daily routine traditionally includes oral and body hygiene, exercising, bathing, taking regular meals and other activities. In a modern context, these can be adapted to individual needs and lifestyle.
3. Do I need to follow every Dinacharya practice?
It is not necessary to include all the Dinacharya practices in your daily routine. You can use it as inspiration to design a simple and consistent sequence of everyday activities.
4. What are the benefits of Dinacharya Ayurveda?
The benefits of Dinacharya Ayurveda include having a consistent daily sequence of activities, having regular meals, exercising and sleeping at the same time every day and other advantages. It should not be used as a treatment or prevention for any disease.
5. How can beginners follow Dinacharya Ayurveda?
Beginners can follow Dinacharya Ayurveda by designing a simple sequence of morning and evening activities. It is important to focus on consistency rather than perfection. You can include waking up at the same time, taking care of your teeth, exercising regularly, having a balanced diet and an evening routine.
6. Can families follow Dinacharya together?
Families can follow a consistent set of daily activities. These should be tailored to individual needs in terms of age and other factors. Oral hygiene products and skincare routines which are safe for adults may not be suitable for children. You can browse the Vasu Baby Care range to find products for children of different ages.
