Ayurveda, more than a treatment method, is a life style science too. It describes both the treatments of various diseases as well as advices for a healthy lifestyle and prevention of diseases also. In fact, the healthy living and prevention part is explained with equal or perhaps more importance than the treatment part.

Dinacharya or daily routine is a very important aspect of the lifestyle part of ayurvedic advises. The chapter describes habits to be followed by the individual and also manners and etiquette to be followed in social and professional interactions to be healthy in every aspect of life.

In ayurveda, the idea of health is not just the absence of disease, but physical, mental and social well being together. That is why it stands relevant in modern times too, even if the text is thousands of years old. Firstly we can analyse what the classic texts explains about daily routine.

The advises begins with the time of wake up. Ayurveda suggests to wake up at ‘brahma Muhortha’ which can be roughly translated to an hour before sunrise. The benefits are fresh and pure air, better concentration, better movement of bowel to aid evacuation etc. Even in countries like Russia where winters are very cold before sunrise, its better to wake up just before or by the time of sunrise.

Defecation is to be performed soon after waking up followed by brushing teeth. In ancient days green twigs of certain trees with anti microbial properties were used as tooth brushes. After brushing, medicated eye ointments are advised to be applied in the eyes to make
them sharper and prevent diseases. Afterwards nasal medication to clear sinuses and nose, argling and mouth washing using herbal decoctions and chewing of beetle leaves to improve digestion is advised. This is to be followed by oil application on the body and then exercise. Exercise is advised only moderately according to each individual’s health and also the season. It is suggested that one can utilise half of his strength for exercising if the season is mild. Usually spring, early winter and winter are described as favourable for exercise. During other seasons one should do only mild exercise. This is because the extremeness of the other seasons may make a person much tired.

That is according to the Indian seasons. In Russia where winters are very strong, the general idea is that the climate should be mild, not hot or not during heavy rains or snowfall. Bath is to be done after exercise. It is advised to wash the body with warm water and head
with water in the room temperature. Only after bath, food is advised. Food shall be balanced, light and cooked.

All natural urges like urination, defecation, cough, sneeze, yawn etc are to be performed without delay, but one should not force them.
This is followed by advises in social life. The text urges to help the needy, usher away bad influences and companies, the importance of being kind to those who request any help, the power of being pertinent and upto the point in speech, sharing of happiness, the importance of being moderate in indulgences etc.

In a modern busy life, incorporation of ‘dinacharya’ in day to day activities can help you to be more active and focused in work and life and prevent diseases. But it is important to incorporate it in a way it makes sense in our corporate lifestyle. Keeping a routine or fixed time to do everything is the first step towards dinacharya. We can start with waking up and going to bed regularly in a particular time. Staying up long after you feel sleepy and pushing oneself out of bed earlier due to work pressure or staying awake long into
night time and waking up too late is a habit developed by many. Research findings has pointed out that quality and duration of sleep are necessary to maintain alertness, memory and productivity of brain.

The very next mistake we make is not listening to our body’s natural urges. Maintaining a regular time for toilet habits (like half hour after waking up or so) will enable the body to eliminate metabolic wastes efficiently and improve the digestion and assimilation. The most common causes other than pathological reasons for deranged digestion like constipation, slow digestion, bloating etc are delaying going to toilet habitually. If we can train our body to evacuate at a fixed time every day, many of these problems will be solved. The same applies to other urges like urination, cough, sneezing, sleep etc. Suppressing them can cause many problems from impaired digestion to
chronic head ache, low immunity etc.

Eating in a regular time is also very important, though widely neglected. Be it physical activity or work using mind, our body needs constant energy and other nutrient supply. Skipping breakfast makes the body and brain starve because the last meal was probably 12 hours earlier.

Lunch ensures a constant supply and dinner recharges the body. If we skip a meal when we are hungry, the digestive enzymes gradually corrodes the intestinal mucosa and causes acidity, bloatedness, gas and later leads to ulcer. Also gradually our hunger depletes and can cause low nutrition and that in turn deteriorate our overall performance. Also we should not over eat. Eating while not feeling hungry is also not good. If we feel that the previous meal is not digested, it is better to take very light and cooked food only.

Exercise is another important factor. Some people are affected by lack of it, while some people over do it. As stated earlier Ayurveda not only advises to do exercise regularly but also to be very alert in being moderate according to each individuals’ health, the climate and present physical condition. Ayurveda prohibits exercise if the person is affected by diseases of the vat and pitta dosh like indigestion, some kind of arthritis, certain skin problems etc. Also we should eat a balanced easily digestible food while doing exercise. Overdoing exercise can cause not only fatigue, but also chronic diseases if done habitually.

A habit which most people neglect even in India is applying oil on body before doing exercise. Oil application can prevent muscle fatigue and bone degeneration during workout, make the muscles and joints more flexible and thus avoids soreness after workout. Benefits of a nice shower after daily workout are not only removing the sweat and dirt and making us fresh and presentable, but also improving circulation and boosting digestion.

Dinacharya underlines the need to give ourselves some of our precious time in order to stay healthy. It reminds us the importance of being healthy to be more productive in professional and personal life. Pushing harder beyond our limits neglecting our own physic and psyche makes un healthier, un happier and in turn less constructive leading to dissatisfied personal and professional life. Thus it is better to be alert at first.

Dr.Jobin John (Ayurvedacharya. B.A.M.S)