Have you noticed that you struggle with energy at the same time every day? Do you sleep later only to find you don’t feel any better for it? You’re probably living against your Ayurvedic body clock. You see, the energies of the three doshas, Kapha, Pitta and Vata, become dominant at different times of the day. If you aren’t living in harmony with these cycles, your energy and health are affected.
What happens when you live against these cycles?
When you aren’t living in sync with nature’s rhythms, it’s as if you’re swimming against the current. It creates stress on the mind and body, causing adverse effects such as:
- Anxious thoughts
- Lethargy
- Disturbed sleep
- Onset of sadness
Understanding the cycles of nature
You can use knowledge of these cycles to your advantage and plan your day by doing the activities supported by nature’s energy.
6:00 am – 10:00 am: Kapha
Kapha is associated with heaviness, so this is the time that supports intense exercise. Even if you feel tired, you should get up and move your body (particularly the legs), so you feel alive. Eat lightly to prevent Kapha making you feel sluggish.
10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Pitta
Pitta brings fire, which is essential for proper digestion. You should have your biggest meal of the day now. You could be tempted to use the fire for exercise, but this can have adverse effects and overheat your system. Instead, use it as a driver for getting things done.
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Vata
Vata is associated with mental activity and creativity. Therefore, use this time wisely and put your brain power to work. But be careful if you already have strong Vata tendencies towards being overly analytical or restless. In this case, you’ll need to pacify Vata with deep breathing and warm tea to calm down.
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Kapha
Kapha dominates again in the evening, but this time you need to exercise in ‘cool-down’ mode. Gentle exercise with an emphasis on relaxation, teamed with a small meal, will settle you in for a peaceful night. For all doshas, a warm bath using Sandhya Meditation Bath Salts is recommended to prepare you for bed. But for Pitta, the water must not be too hot. For Vata, apply Zithila Multi Oil to your skin after a bath for deeper soothing.
10:00 pm – 2:00 am: Pitta
Digestive fire rises again, but you should not give in to it and eat this late. It’s best if you are asleep by 10:00 pm so that your digestive forces can enter a purification phase.
2:00 am – 6:00 am: Vata
Early-morning Vata encourages a receptive mindset. Meditation and breathing exercises are recommended for when you wake.
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