Waking up early in the morning has long been considered a beneficial practice by various cultures, texts, and scientific reasoning. In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing system, waking up between 4 and 6 a.m., also known as Brahmamuhurta, is believed to be the most spiritually charged time of day. It is considered an auspicious time for meditating, practicing yoga, and performing other practices in the Ayurvedic tradition. This early morning practice is said to connect you with the sun, a symbol of our eternal, expansive, unlimited being.

According to Ayurveda, there are three troublesome elements present in the human body - Vata (Air and Ether), Pitta (Fire and Water), and Kapha (Earth and Water). The amount of these elements keeps fluctuating according to the time. Vata is associated with the muscular and tissue movements, Pitta is related to digestion and metabolism, and Kapha is related to the body's structure. By balancing these elements through holistic wellness activities during Brahmamuhurta, one can cure various body-related problems, improve creativity, flexibility, intelligence, and overall health.

Moreover, waking up early has numerous mental health benefits. It helps curb negative thinking and depression, improves mood, increases mental clarity and positivity, and strengthens the ability to fall asleep earlier at night, which can improve overall sleep quality. Ayurveda also teaches that we are naturally full of sattva and that connecting with nature during Brahmamuhurta is the conduit for infusing your day with positivity, hope, harmony, and peace.

If you're not accustomed to waking up early, gradually adjust your waking time by setting your alarm back 15 minutes each day or every other day until you're waking up comfortably at 6 a.m. or earlier. With the combination of Ayurvedic practices and waking up early, one can restore their innate connection with the natural world and achieve a more holistic and healthy lifestyle.