Ayurveda places huge importance on dinacharya, or daily tasks that help integrate our being with nature’s cycles, and teaches us how establishing a daily routine that promotes self-care can improve overall health and wellbeing. Adopting a consistent daily routine is one of the most nurturing things we can do for ourselves that invites health and vitality into our lives.

While dinacharya is one of the core concepts of Ayurveda, there is no single template that can satiate the requirements of everyone. Ayurveda practitioners modify the general template to match one’s specific needs. Irrespective of how different these routines might look, adopting a dinacharya can significantly improve your approach to life.

Dinacharya daily cycles
Ayurveda mentions two dinacharya cycles that carry distinct types of “dosha” or energy. These relate to different elements of nature. These are as follows:
● Kapha: 6:00 am – 10:00 am and 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Associated with balance, this cycle is best saved for some light work and preparation for the day of work ahead.
● Pitta: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm – 2:00 am
Pitta is related to high energy, meaning one’s body is the most active during this cycle. When awake, focus on tasks that require high productivity. Meanwhile, when asleep, your body focuses on detoxification of its system.
● Vata: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm and 2:00 am – 6:00 am
Vata is associated with air and lightness. The best activities during this period are ones that require movement or creativity.

Ayurvedic dinacharya cycles - how to integrate daily routines into your life

1. Morning cycle
   One of the main principles of Ayurveda is waking up before sunrise and preparing oneself for a positive day ahead. The Vata periods are associated with calm and self-reflection - use this time to meditate for a while and set your intentions for the day. If you have Ayurveda supplements, take them, and complete your healthcare routines to feel rejuvenated.
2. Afternoon cycle
   In the morning, kapha periods focus on light exercises that boost circulation. The afternoon pitta period is the time to get productive and you must focus on completing the bulk of the work during these hours. Take small breaks during this phase and try to feel the warmth of the sunlight to enliven your mind and body. Once you are at the afternoon vata period, you can focus on tasks that require creativity but not physically exerting ones.
3. Evening cycle
   The evening kapha period is a fantastic time for self-care. You can spend these hours with your loved ones and get ample rest so that your body can prepare for detoxification and your mind can prepare for the next day.

While this is only a simplified overview of thousands of years of teachings, the aforementioned information on ayurvedic dinacharya has enough to get you started on building your own self-care routines to live more in tune with nature. For more information on doshas and the benefits of Ayurveda, you can get in touch with experienced Ayurveda practitioners at Susama Ayurveda Holistic Care.