If you love Ayurveda and want to begin your journey with it, but you have no idea where to start. Don’t worry, I’m here to help. In this blog, I’ll walk you through some of the most important Ayurvedic daily routines that can help you improve your health, digestion, longevity, and overall well-being. Understanding the Foundation of Ayurveda: Digestion One of the most basic concepts you need to understand when you think about Ayurveda is digestion. Ayurveda primarily believes in the power of digestion to heal diseases, help you look good, feel good, and become your highest self. According to Ayurvedic principles, many health issues begin when digestion is weak or impaired. That is why almost every routine described in Ayurveda focuses on improving digestion and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. With that understanding, let’s go through the Ayurvedic morning routine step by step. 1. Wake Up Early in the Morning The first and most important routine that Ayurveda describes is waking up early. Why is it important to wake up early? The period before sunrise is known as the Vata Kala, a time when the Vata energy in the body naturally helps push bowel movements downward and supports elimination. This sacred period before sunrise is traditionally known as Brahma Muhurta. Ideally, you should wake up during this time. However, if waking up extremely early feels difficult, try to wake up at least before sunrise or with the sunrise. Starting your day early aligns your body with nature’s rhythms and helps in healthy digestion and elimination. 2. Brush Your Teeth the Ayurvedic Way Now that you’ve woken up early, the next step is brushing your teeth. Brushing should be done using a good toothpaste that is Ayurvedically compliant. But what makes a toothpaste Ayurvedically compliant? One that doesn’t have a sweet taste. Today, many toothpaste brands offer sweet flavors, but Ayurveda recommends avoiding them. Instead, prefer tastes that help cleanse and stimulate your mouth rather than sweetening it. Like the Katu(spicy), Tikta(bitter), or Kashaya(astrigent). 3. Practice Tongue Scraping After brushing comes tongue scraping. Why are brushing and tongue scraping so important? As I mentioned earlier, Ayurveda places tremendous emphasis on digestion. Digestion begins in the mouth. The food you eat mixes with saliva, which contains salivary amylase, an enzyme that begins the digestive process. Because digestion starts in the mouth, maintaining oral hygiene is considered a crucial part of overall health. Tongue scraping is very simple. Just stick out your tongue and gently scrape it. For tongue scraping, Ayurveda recommends using a copper tongue scraper. If copper is not available, a stainless steel tongue scraper is also acceptable. However, it is best to avoid plastic tongue scrapers. 4. Try Oil Pulling Once you’ve completed brushing and tongue scraping, it’s time for oil pulling. Oil pulling involves holding oil in your mouth for a period of time. Ayurveda states that the best oil for oil pulling is organic black sesame oil. You may have heard many influencers and brands recommending coconut oil for oil pulling, but Ayurveda recommends using organic black sesame oil. Warm water or even milk can also be used, but sesame oil is generally considered the best option for most people. 5. Drink Warm Water The next step is simple but powerful: drink warm water. You can choose plain warm water or water infused with herbs. Warm water helps gently stimulate digestion and prepares your digestive system for the day ahead. 6. Perform Abhyanga (Daily Oil Massage) One of the most important practices in Ayurveda is Abhyanga, or daily oil massage. Ayurveda has immense love for oil massages, not only because they help improve longevity and prevent health issues, but also because they play a vital role in maintaining overall health and vitality. Abhyanga is considered an anti-aging practice. Everyone can benefit from it, whether they are a small child, an adult, or an elderly person. On your extremely busy days, even a quick two- to three-minute oil massage can be beneficial. On days when you have more time, try to perform Abhyanga for five to ten minutes. You can find my complete guide to Abhyanga here. This simple daily ritual nourishes the body, supports circulation, and promotes relaxation. 7. Get Some Sunshine While you have oil on your body after during Abhyanga, try standing in the sunlight for a few minutes if possible. This can help you improve your vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is often called the “sunshine vitamin” because sunlight remains one of the most effective ways for your body to obtain it. While food and supplements help, direct sunlight exposure plays an important role. Combining a gentle oil massage with a few minutes of morning sunlight can be a wonderful way to start your day. 8. Move Your Joints After Abhyanga, the next step is to move all your joints. Just like how machines work better when lubricated with oil. In a similar way, our joints work more smoothly with oil and movement. Have you ever noticed that people who practice yoga consistently often appear youthful even in their sixties and seventies? One reason is the flexibility of the muscles, bones, and joints. 9. Take a Warm Shower Once you’ve completed your oil massage and joint movements, it’s time for a shower. Ayurveda recommends using warm water for the body while using normal, room-temperature water for the hair. Warm water helps cleanse the oil and keeps the body comfortable, however, when it comes to your head, scalp, and hair, excessive heat on the scalp can lead to hair fall and hair loss. The head is considered an area that should remain relatively cool. Therefore, use cool or room-temperature… Continue reading 10 Steps to Start Your Day the Right Way According To Ayurveda
