Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Dina = day, each day
Charya = routine
Ayurveda has given very a lot significance to Dinacharya – the each day routine and its contribution in direction of upkeep of bodily, psychological and emotional well being. It is rather like a calendar of occasions which have to be adopted every day. The extra we get habituated and hooked on following these regimens, the more healthy and immune we’re. We will hold away all of the bodily, psychological and emotional issues, which we’d in any other case be victims of, whereas following dinacharya habitually.
The Ayurveda treatises, together with the good trio, Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya and Ashtanga Samgraha have devoted separate chapters for explaining the practices included in Dinacharya which everybody ought to observe with a purpose to hold themselves wholesome and likewise to take care of optimum well being. The later treatises have additionally adopted the footprints of those treatises.
Although following every and the whole lot defined within the context of Dinacharya appears impractical within the modern-day life, we are able to attempt to inculcate at the very least a few of them into our lives and get habituated to them.
Whereas going via these chapters coping with dinacharya we might respect their contribution in direction of bodily well being, however we might miss out on their position in sustaining psychological and emotional well being and stability since there isn’t a point out of the identical in lots of contexts.
On this article we will look deep into the parts of Dinacharya and see how good their contribution is in direction of upkeep of psychological and emotional well being and stability.
Classification of Dina – day for understanding software of Dinacharya
Dina means a day which extends from dawn to a different dawn i.e. period of 24 hours. The routine adopted in a dina constitutes dinacharya. They are often categorised into the under talked about classes –
– Pratah Charya – all regimens which we’d observe in the course of the earliest a part of the day i.e. from earlier than dawn once we get up to few hours extending from there
– Dina / Madhyahna Charya – all regimens that we have to observe throughout the remainder of the day time i.e. from the tip of early morning regimens / rituals to starting of night time
– Sayam Charya – all regimens that we’d observe throughout night time i.e. from graduation of night to graduation of night time
– Ratri Charya – all regimens we have to observe throughout night time time i.e. from graduation of night time to the bedtime
- Influence of Day time routine on psychological and emotional well being
On this part, I’ll contemplate the day time routine because the mixed actions we do in the course of the day time i.e. early morning, day time and midday.
Influence of Awakening early within the morning at Brahma Muhurta on the thoughts
Brahmi or Brahma Muhurta also referred to as ‘time of the creator’ is the earliest hours of the day earlier than dawn – ‘the pre-dawn’ interval, roughly falls between 3-6 am. Ayurveda advocates waking up right now after a accomplished and glad sleep. This contributes in direction of complete body-mind-sensual wellbeing and stability.
Advantages of waking up at Brahma Muhurta – ‘the calm and nice morning hours’ in sustaining and balancing thoughts and emotional well being –
It is going to hold our thoughts and senses contemporary and improve alertness with follow.
This is a perfect time for the scholars to check or revise. Issues learnt right now might be higher remembered.
Yoga, train, meditation, pooja and Surya Namaskaram accomplished throughout this time will create optimistic vibes and can hold the psychological and emotional well being at optimum ranges and are de-stressing. It is going to additionally assist in non secular evolution of people and conquer or stop many psychological problems.
This is a perfect time for Exercising, strolling and jogging right now will hold us greatest oxygenated and the early morning sunrays would offer us with vitamin D provides that are vital for our body-mind-emotional well being.
Balanced Prana Vata, Sadhaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha are answerable for wholesome nervous and psychological features and so are excessive ranges of Sattva high quality of thoughts and balanced state of rajas and tamas qualities of the thoughts. Brahmi Muhurta can have a optimistic affect on these parts and contribute in direction of serene mind-emotional well being.
Influence of Voiding urine and feces early within the morning on thoughts well being
One ought to clean up by voiding urine and feces the very first thing within the morning. When the physique will get freed from its impurities, the thoughts and senses would get relaxed. That’s the reason one would say ‘I wish to clean up’ when she or he needs to evacuate their bladder or bowel.
Influence of Oral Well being and Hygiene on thoughts and feelings
The under talked about actions are advisable for upkeep of oral well being and to stability the doshas within the mouth, head and sense organs. They’re –
Achamana – sipping of water – supplies first hydration early within the morning after waking up, prompts bodhaka kapha and regulates the udakavaha srotas – channels of water transport system within the physique. It’s the first rejuvenation of physique and thoughts that we’d do within the day. We additionally activate the kapha system since it’s dominant at day time.
Danta Dhavana (brushing the enamel), Kavala (mouth wash), Gandusha (gargles) and Jihva Nirlekhana (tongue scraping) – These usually are not simply the regimens we do to cleanse the mouth, enamel, throat and tongue; additionally they have and optimistic affect on the thoughts. We see that when our oral cavity, enamel or tongue is soiled or when we now have distaste within the mouth resulting from some illness like fever and many others, the thoughts rejects the meals or doesn’t respect its style regardless of it being tasty. So a clear and contemporary mouth is the receptacle for the meals.
The meals we eat and the drinks we eat are accepted by our physique solely when they’re interesting and pleasing to the thoughts, via their style and sight and timing of meals. So the meals that we eat passes via the pathways of seats of indriyas i.e. sense organs to the thoughts and it’s the thoughts which accepts or rejects the meals. It’s because the thoughts can also be an indriya.
Freshness of mouth caused by these regimens of dinacharya would hold the thoughts contemporary and wholesome.
The thoughts won’t ever be contemporary and wholesome if we don’t brush or clear our oral cavity.
Influence of Anjana – collyrium on psychological and emotional well being
Anjana – means software of collyrium to the eyes. It isn’t solely a routine for eye care but in addition offers a glow and luster to the eyes. It contributes to the beautification and therefore is a crucial a part of Ayurveda magnificence remedy. Historically many ladies apply anjana, males can too. Medicinal anjanas have therapeutic, preventive and healing worth too. Eye is claimed to be the pradhana indriya i.e. the chief sense organ amongst all sense organs. Having lovely, engaging and wholesome eyes all the time retains one completely satisfied and proud and happiness is a frame of mind and balanced psychological and emotional state. And Manas can also be an Indriya as already mentioned.
Influence of Snana – Bathing and different magnificence measures on psychological and emotional well being
The under talked about regimens talked about in Dinacharya would assist in enhancing the temper and induce freshness within the thoughts and senses. They hold us completely satisfied, optimistic and motivated all through the day and must be habitually practiced and accomplished every day. They’re –
– Snana – bathing
– Anulepana – anointment of pastes – magnificence lotions, deodorants, perfumes and many others.
– Vastra dharana – sporting new and contemporary garments
– Mala dharana – sporting of garlands (clipping flowers to the scalp hairs as is finished by many ladies these days)
We additionally see that many individuals are emotionally connected with specific sorts of soaps, shampoos, perfumes, deodorants and garments.
Carrying clear garments and garlands or flowers are good for balancing vata, pitta and manas. Totally different colours have completely different therapeutic or aggravating results on people and are thus nice or disagreeable for the thoughts.
Influence of Dhumapana – medicated smoking and Nasya – errhine, nasal instillation of medicines on psychological and emotional well being
Dhumapana, aside from curing the vata and kapha illnesses ocuring on the head and neck may even cleanse the seats of indriyas i.e. eyes, ears and nostril enabling their correct functioning and notion. It additionally opens up the channels of the thoughts and creates freshness therein.
Nasa – nostril is claimed to be the door of the top and head is the seat of manas and indriyas. Small dose of nasya administered as a part of dinacharya imparts a optimistic affect on the manas and indriyas and retains them wholesome. It strengthens the nerves and senses additionally and elevates the temper. Correct sleep and awakening and pleasantness of the thoughts are the indicators of correctly accomplished nasya. By balancing the primary operational dosha subtypes within the head i.e. Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha, Nasya would hold the stress beneath examine and thoughts in a nice state.
Influence of Vyayama and Chankramana on psychological and emotional well being
Vyayama – Train must be accomplished each day. It reduces the physique fats and morbid kapha and likewise retains the agni lively. This agni digests the meals we eat correctly and the vitamin derived from it nourishes the physique, thoughts and senses. Stability of thoughts additionally is determined by the stability of agni. Common train retains us match and wholesome. Being wholesome is happiness – sukha, which is a topic and frame of mind.
Chankramana – is a light type of train, like strolling, that has an identical affect on the thoughts as Vyayama.
Influence of Abhyanga and its variants on psychological and emotional well being and stability
All variants of Abhyanga accomplished as a each day routine present the perfect body-mind rest and relieve ache, dust and fatigue. They embrace – Abhyanga (natural oil therapeutic massage), Samvahana (light software of oils), Pada Abhyanga (foot therapeutic massage) and Shiro Abhyanga (head therapeutic massage). Udwarthana i.e. therapeutic massage accomplished with medicated powders in upward route, has related results aside from decreasing the physique fat and morbid kapha.
Head is the seat of indriyas, manas and buddhi. The thoughts and senses are rejuvenated particularly after a Shiro Abhyanga. Pada is a Karmendriya – organ of motion and is linked to Manas, which can also be an indriya. Due to this fact Padabhyanga supplies rest of thoughts and induces good sleep.
Many individuals would get emotional whereas present process completely different sorts of massages and oil therapies. There’s emotional discharge and lots of would cry. They might really feel pampered, cherished and cared for.
Since these are pricey procedures, it’s impractical to get them accomplished day-after-day. It’s good to conduct these regimens by one self. This can enable them to pamper themselves and hold join with their physique, thoughts, senses and feelings.
Abhyanga and Samvahana would additionally calm the thoughts by balancing vata, relieving tiredness and fatigue and inducing sleep.
Influence of self-protective measures of Dinacharya on psychological and emotional well being
Beneath talked about measures talked about in Dinacharya are for self-protection and care. This retains the individual in a state of consciousness all the time feeling that she or he too is a crucial a part of the creation and must be taken care of. The satisfaction of being protected retains the thoughts happy and likewise wards off the worry.
– Raksha karma – Protecting measures
– Pada prakshalana – Washing of toes
– Padatra dharana – Carrying of foot put on
– Danda dharana – Holding stick for self safety
– Kavacha dharana – Carrying of protecting masking over the physique
– Keshya dharana – Carrying turbans
– Chatra dharana – Holding umbrella
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Influence of Night Routine on psychological and emotional well being
Ayurveda has laid restrictions on sure actions which shouldn’t be accomplished in the course of the night time. Night right here pertains to the junction between midday and night i.e. finish of night and starting of night – on the level of sundown. The time of sundown is claimed to not be auspicious for doing sure actions as a result of there may be declining solar, daytime and light-weight – which displays positivity. If accomplished, these actions can have a destructive affect on the physique, thoughts, soul, senses and feelings. Beneath talked about are these actions –
– Bhojana – meals consumption
– Maithuna – sexual activity
– Nidra – sleep
– Adhyayana – studying
– Gamana – strolling
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Influence of Ratricharya – Evening Routine on psychological and emotional well being
Washing the arms after consuming meals, cleaning the tooth, washing the mouth and chewing betel leaves wouldn’t solely clean up the mouth but in addition would have a soothing impact on thoughts and senses.
Sleep is claimed to be one of many three upastambhas – supporting pillars of our life. A correctly balanced sleep has a really robust optimistic affect on not solely bodily well being but in addition on psychological and sensual well being. Sleep relieves stress, worries and destructive feelings and retains the thoughts and senses calm and wholesome.
Intercourse is likely one of the greatest stress-busters and a primary want, aside from procreation. It retains the thoughts and senses calm and relaxed. Upastha – sexual organ is an indriya and has an in depth relationship and chemistry with the thoughts, which can also be an indriya.
Good sleep balances tridoshas and enhances the sattva guna of the manas.
Physique and thoughts are two sides of the identical coin. These that are good for the physique are typically good for the thoughts additionally and the converse can also be true. So, their well being is interrelated. Dinacharya and the regimens talked about therein which have to be practiced each day appears like having a optimistic well being affect on the physique, however additionally they have a direct or oblique affect on the thoughts and feelings.
Some regimens assist in balancing the doshas on the bodily stage which might assist in sustaining good bodily well being and would additionally complement by contributing in direction of psychological and emotional wellbeing additionally. Examples – vyayama, chankramana, udwarthana, kavacha, ahara, vyavaya, dhumapana and many others.
Then again, some regimens of dinacharya can have a direct affect on the thoughts and would contribute in direction of psychological and emotional well being and stability.
Instance – awakening early within the morning at Brahmi Muhurta, Alepana – anointments, Snana – tub, Shiro Abhyanga – head therapeutic massage, Nidra – sleep, and many others.
There are another regimens talked about in Dinacharya which might produce freshness of thoughts and stability psychological well being. Examples – Danta Dhavana, Kavala and Gandusha, Snana, Mukha Prakshalana, Vyayama, Vyavaya, Vastra Dharana, Mala Dharana, Sugandha Dharana and many others.
All these talked about regimens improve the sattva guna of the thoughts. Stability of sattva high quality of the thoughts could be very a lot important for protecting the thoughts nice. One will be capable to assume and make choices in an affordable means provided that his or her thoughts is nice and serene. This may even hold the stress ranges away and would assist one to conduct self and all actions in and smart means. Other than rising the sattva high quality of the thoughts, these regimens may even hold away the manasika doshas – contaminants of thoughts i.e. raja and tama qualities at examine. By doing so, one can hold psychological illnesses, destructive feelings and ideas away.
A few of these regimens are very a lot conducive for good well being of the sense organs. They not solely promote their well being but in addition allow correct notion. Examples are –
– Danta dhavana, jihva lekhana, kavala and gandusha, tambula sevana – contribute in direction of oral well being and well being of tongue which is an indriya of style notion
– Anjana contributes in direction of the well being of eyes and imaginative and prescient, that are seats of indriyas of sight notion. Comparable is the affect of consumption of Triphala churna after dinner.
– Abhyanga and Udwarthana contribute in direction of pores and skin well being and so do Snana and Anulepana. Pores and skin is the seat of indriya of tactile notion.
– Nasya takes care of nasal well being, which is the seat of indriya of odor notion.
The affect of stability of the indriyas and their perceptive energy can also be linked to the stability of psychological well being as a result of what has been perceived by the indriyas go via the manas and manas is a crucial part within the technique of gaining data / cognition.
