Āyurvedic Wellness Spotlight - May 2022
Āyurveda says to live a balanced life and enjoy good health, keeping our daily rhythnms in sync with the āyurvedic clock is key. The āyurvedic clock divides the day into 6 four hour segments, two segments each day that correspond with one of the three dosha.
The āyurvedic clock model informs us of the predominant energies throughout the day, and helps us stay in balance by either taking advantage of those energies, or by opposing them based on the doshic qualities. For instance, during the kapha time of day, between 6am and 10am, the slow, dull, heavy qualities of kapha are more present. Unless we want to feel slow, dull, heavy, and groggy all day āyurveda recommend we get up and get moving during the early morning hours to keep those qualities from accumulating. However, during the evening kapha phase, between 6pm and 10pm, we want to take advantage of the slower energy of kapha as we wind down and prepare for bed.
If you live a hectic modern-day life like most of us, aligning your day to the ayurvedic clock can be a challenge, but making an effort can have a big pay off. Modern health problems. like insomnia, digestive issues, anxiety, and overwhelm are linked to lack of balance in our lives. Matching mealtimes, sleep/wake patterns, and general activities to the cycle of the doshas can help restore balance and good health. Using the ayurvedic clock to commit to a few aligned actions each day can have a profound impact on your health and wellbeing.
Start with the following three simple tips to bring more alignment into your day:
Wake up just before sunrise to align with the days natural cycle of light, and while the etheric qualities of vata dosha are transcendent
Eat your biggest and most substantial meal of the day during the afternoon pitta cycle, 10am to 2pm, when your digestive fire is strongest
Be in bed by 10pm when the qualities of pitta take over from kapha. If you stay up past 10pm you’ll be at risk for “burning the midnight oil” and getting insufficient sleep.