What Is Dinacharya in Ayurveda - Meaning & Benefits

To live a healthy life, it is important to incorporate good lifestyle habits. Many people who are looking for guidance on taking care of their own bodies turn to alternative medicines like Ayurveda, which promotes holistic well-being. Dinacharya in Ayurveda focuses on self-care through the daily activities of our lives. It aims to build our connection to the rhythms of our internal clock. 

Read on to know important concepts related to this Ayurvedic concept.

Living in an ever-changing world has its challenges. People tend to become disconnected from nature. However, Ayurveda stresses the importance of the interconnectedness of man and nature. Dinacharya in Ayurveda refers to the daily activities people need to perform to stay healthy. It is a Sanskrit word that literally translates to ‘activities of the day’. 

Our daily activities play an important role in our long-term health. In fact, every activity and decision done in a day affects our mental and physical well-being. It is quite easy to lead a life devoid of routine. However, by inculcating awareness, discipline, and dedication into the daily routine and strictly adhering to it, one can lead a purposeful and prosperous life. 

If performed regularly, the daily routines of Dinacharya will help a person lead a disciplined life. Furthermore, it promotes an individual’s optimal wellness through routine, nourishment, and detoxification.

Dinacharya in Ayurveda enumerates two daily cycles. They are as follows:

• Sun Cycle

• Moon Cycle

During these cycles, Vatta dosha, Pitta dosha, and Kapha dosha are present in an individual’s body in different combinations and intensities. According to the tenets of Ayurveda, one must not engage in any activity that aggravates the cycle of these three energies.

Given below are more details of these daily cycles:

• Sun Cycle or First Cycle

This cycle is from sunrise to sunset, i.e., 6 AM to 6 PM. 

6 AM – 10 AM: Kapha

10 AM -2 PM: Pitta

2 PM – 6 PM: Vatta

• Moon Cycle or Second Cycle

This cycle is from sunset to sunrise, i.e., 6 PM to 6 AM. 

6 PM – 10 PM: Kapha

10 PM – 2 AM: Pitta

2 AM – 6 AM: Vatta

Given below are all the steps of following the daily routine as per Dinacharya: 

Step 1: Wake Up Early

According to Dinacharya practices, one needs to wake up at Brahma muhurta. Experts consider the ideal time to be between 4:30 AM and 5 AM. The Vatta dosha is most dominant in an individual during the pre-dawn time, and its environmental energy enables a person to wake up easily. This particular time of the day also lends fresh energy to one’s body and soul. 

Step 2: Rinse Your Face

One should rinse his/her face properly after waking up and then perform Jalneti. It is an Ayurvedic technique of cleaning the mouth, sinus, and nasal passage with a neti pot, a tea pot-like vessel.

Step 3: Drink Warm Water

Ayurvedic practitioners recommend drinking warm water in the morning. Most people these days drink tea or coffee the first thing in the morning. However, if one consumes warm water instead, it helps detoxify. Furthermore, it prevents chronic conditions in one’s digestive system.

Step 4: Maintenance of Hygiene

One can use rose water or Triphala for cleaning eyes. An individual can gargle with water, brush his/her teeth properly and clean his tongue to activate taste buds. Ayurveda recommends performing Oil Pulling with sesame or coconut oil to remove toxins and bacteria from the mouth.

Step 5: Oil Massage

Abhyanga or a full body oil massage with prescribed oils is essential for self-care. Ayurveda recommends oil massages before taking a bath because it nourishes the body and improves blood circulation. This enables one’s nervous system to become calm and healthy. 

Step 6: Exercise and Bathe

Dinacharya in Ayurveda recommends exercising regularly as it strengthens one’s body, removes fat, and improves capacity for work. People should try to fit any exercise regime into their daily routine, whether yoga or jogging. 

Bathing is an integral part of the Dinacharya routine. It removes excess oil from the surface of one’s skin. It provides fresh energy to an individual for performing the day’s tasks. 

Step 7: Pray and Meditate

Praying and meditating enable an individual to concentrate on his duty and goals. It enables a person to feel peaceful and steady and better focus on his goals. Meditation also helps in calming one’s nervous system. 

Step 8: Have a Hearty Breakfast

One should have a nutritious breakfast. It is not advisable to eat a large portion. But the food taken should enable one to go on working till lunch without snacking on unhealthy food. The quantity and type of food may vary depending on an individual's body type.

Step 9: Lunch

The ideal time to partake in lunch is between noon and 1 PM. This is when Pitta dosha, responsible for digestion, is dominant in an individual’s body. According to Ayurveda, the ideal lunch comprises every taste, including tikta (bitter), lavana (salty), katuka (pungent), amla (acidic), kashaya (astringent), madhura (sweet). To facilitate proper digestion of the food, it is advised to go for a walk after lunch. 

Step 10: Don’t Sleep After Lunch

One can take a short nap after lunch as it keeps one fresh and alert. However, one must not fall asleep after lunch as it accumulates vitiated Kapha. After a short nap, a person can continue his or her work till dinner. 

Step 11: Give Yourself Time After Sunset

After completing the day’s work, one should devote time to oneself. In many cultures across the world, people need to pray and meditate after sunset.

Step 12: Have a Light Dinner

Ideally, dinner should be lighter than lunch. Experts worldwide advise people to have dinner 2 – 3 hours before sleep. It helps in the proper digestion of the food. Additionally, if one goes to bed immediately after dinner, it might result in digestive problems. According to Ayurveda, walking for some time after dinner is beneficial. 

Step 13: Sleep Early

Massaging the head and feet with oil before sleeping is a good idea. This practice calms the body systems and improves general well-being. Moreover, Ayurveda recommends drinking Triphala before sleeping to facilitate digestion and improve eye health. It also helps one to avoid problems related to constipation. 

Dinacharya routine, as prescribed by the ancient system of Ayurveda, might be difficult to follow at the beginning. The body might resist the adoption of this routine. However, once it becomes a habit, it will positively impact us.

Given below are the benefits of a daily routine of Dinacharya in Ayurveda: 

• Prevents Diseases

Dinacharya practices strengthen immunity, protect against health hazards, and promote a healthy lifestyle. 

• Builds Connection With Nature

This Ayurvedic practice makes one more aware and conscious of his or her surroundings. These practices align the body of an individual with the rhythm of nature. 

• Facilitates Digestion and Absorption

If one follows a routine of eating food and regular timings, the body digests and absorbs nutrients more effectively. 

• Removes Stress

Abhyanga full body oil massage, practices of praying and meditating effectively removes stress from one’s life. 

• Inculcates Discipline

Diancharya routine of Ayurveda inculcates discipline, which helps a person travel on the path of his goal. Additionally, it also helps in various aspects of one’s life. 

• Promotes Peace and Happiness

Meditating and following the Dinacharya routine enables one to absorb positive vibes from his or her surroundings. This promotes one’s peace and happiness. 

• Ensures Longevity 

Following a healthy routine, every day will inevitably prevent health problems. This, in turn, will promote an individual’s longevity. 

This blog has enumerated crucial details regarding Dinacharya in Ayurveda. This Ayurvedic technique is a set of practices that an individual must follow daily. These practices have many benefits and long-lasting positive effects on a person.