HEALTH/SELF-IMPROVEMENT

As I had mentioned in Part I of this series, growing up in Pakistan, I was doubly blessed to be living in a household with not just one, but both my grandmothers.

At the time I used to think their rigid schedules and practices were too strict and inflexible. The fact that I shared a room with my grandmother, and invariably got disturbed by her early morning rituals, may have something to do with it!

Now, however, as I age and learn more about nature and its cycles, the more I am in awe of them, the wisdom behind their routines and their knowledge, which saw them living a full life well into their 90s.

I look back fondly at the memories of being treated to drops of freshly-squeezed ginger juice mixed with honey to treat a bad cough, a soothing glass of hot milk with turmeric and cardamom for healing, or the habit of rising with the sun to pray, meditate, and reap the benefits of some quiet solitude.

What does 'Ayurveda' mean?

Ayurveda has steadily been gaining in popularity, demand, and research the world over, closely following in the footsteps of what is often referred to as its sister science, yoga.

However, as with yoga, where the misguided focus has mainly been on perfecting the 'asanas' (poses), Ayurveda has been getting the same treatment: The difference being, with yoga the aim may have been the picture-perfect Instagram post in Lululemon yoga pants, with Ayurveda it probably would be a trendy turmeric latte from Starbucks instead!

So, what does Ayurveda really mean?

It isn't simply about introducing certain natural herbs and spices or organic food into our diet.

The Macrocosm-microcosm Theory:

It is about understanding and honouring the subtle connections between all of nature: how we are all interconnected with each other, and in fact, the whole universe.

This is the fundamental principle of Ayurveda, known as the Macrocosm-microcosm continuum theory: as is the atom, so is the universe.

What this means is that any shift in nature causes us to change, but that our actions can also in turn strongly impact nature.

The 5 Bhutas (Elements)

Ayurveda defines nature as being composed of five elements or 'bhutas':

ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth.

These elements are found in everything, us included, and we need them all to survive. However, they are expressed differently and in varying degrees in each of us, making everything and being unique.

The three doshas

Doshas are the Ayurvedic constitutions, defining a certain mind-body type, and consist of a combination of two of the five elements.

Similar to the elements, while everyone has traits of all three doshas, we all have a predominant mind-body type, which predisposes us to certain dominant traits and illnesses.

So, in a nutshell:

Vata dosha: combines Ether and Air

Pitta dosha: combines Fire and Water

Kapha dosha: combines Water and Earth

The Ayurvedic clock

Every dosha is responsible for different physiological functions, different organs & systems and they all have their peaks at different times during the 24-hour daily cycle.

Knowing which dosha corresponds to a specific time of day can help us locate potential imbalances and at the same time maximise the body's ability to complete tasks.

The Ayurvedic clock is divided into six four-hour periods:

Early Morning

6–10 am: The Kapha dosha, consisting of water and earth elements, is strongest early in the morning.

Due to the strong earth qualities, one is most grounded at this time, making it the best time for exercise and doing projects that require endurance: such as dense, challenging reading, or going for a long bike ride or run.

It is important to note that the later you wake up in this period, the groggier you will feel. e.g. if you sleep in, on a weekend, well past your normal wake-up time, you will invariably feel tired, not because of too much sleep but because of excess Kapha and the accumulation of heavy energy.

Mid-day

10 am-2 pm: The Pitta dosha, comprising of fire and water elements, is at its prime with the peak of the sun.

This is when our 'agni' or digestion burns brightest, making it the best time to have our heaviest meal. Pitta also happens to rule the analytical mind, so tasks requiring clear focus such as bookkeeping or studying for an exam are ideally suited for this period too.

However, combining these activities, a common one being eating while you work, leaves one more agitated than balanced.

So, a note of caution, instead of multi-tasking to save time, like having your meal on the go or while sitting at your laptop, be mindful and take a proper break to have lunch before going back to work.

Afternoon

2–6 pm: Finally, the Vata dosha, consisting of the air and ether elements, governs the nervous system, which means you may feel a spike in your fight or flight response.

This in turn can manifest itself as a peak in your creativity, with it being primed for brainstorming, innovative ideas, creative designs, and marketing campaigns.

Too much Vata overload, however, can leave one feeling depleted.

Take good care though, when you feel you need a boost of energy, don't give in to the temptation for coffee or a sugary snack. Instead, go for a short walk, meditate or take a short break.

Evening

6–10 pm: The cycle then repeats itself again in the evening, returning to Kapha.

Since it represents strength and endurance, this period is the second choice (the first choice being the same period in the morning) for physical exercise and hygiene.

However, focus on exercising early on during this period as the body gradually begins to wind down for sleep. Digestion also slows down, which is why we should have dinner early and keep it light.

Coming to the tricky one, one should avoid stimulating activities past 8pm, especially electronic devices that emit blue light, in particular cell phones, tablets, and laptops.

Going on the screens tricks the mind into believing it is still day & messes up the sleep cycle!

Early Nighttime

10pm-2 am: The middle of the night, just like the middle of the day is governed by Pitta.

The fire at this time is used for detoxification, liver function, revitalisation of skin, blood cleansing, and mental restoration.

There is a lot of misuse of the Pitta energy, with night owls working late into the night or staying up with friends.

This time of night is meant for the organs & body to restore & recover while asleep. Choosing to stay awake too far past 10pm would divert energy away from the important restoration period of our organs.

Late Night/Early Morning time

2–6 am: This period is ruled by Vata, the light & mobile period when both dreams & the mind are most active.

Considered to be the most auspicious hour, this time is best suited for spiritual practices, such as prayer or meditation. Members of many religious communities, from Muslims to Jews to Buddhists wake before sunrise precisely for this reason.

Personally, I have watched my mother do the same, amazed at her discipline, which has seen her adhere to this early morning ritual no matter what…even a life-threatening illness couldn't keep her away.

She has played a pivotal role in making me realise the importance of being consistent with one's own schedule and with that of the natural cycles.

Take away

Inspired by the daily practices of my grandmothers and mother, I now try to harmonise my routine with the natural Ayurvedic and Circadian clocks, in order to optimise the functioning of my body, mind, and soul.

Changing your lifestyle may seem intimidating at first, but try to break it down into small changes.. going for a walk, or stretching instead of grabbing a quick coffee to wake you up when that afternoon dip hits.

Try going to bed a little earlier or put your phone away for at least an hour before you go to bed.

"You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret to your success is found in your daily routine" — John C. Maxwell

Ultimately the goal should be a balanced lifestyle that is in harmony with the cycles of nature, leading to improved health, well-being, and mental clarity.

You can read about the Circadian clock in part I, here:

Reference:

The Ayurvedic Self-Care Handbook: Holistic Healing Rituals for Every Day and Season by Sarah Kucera

A version of this article was first published in the Elephant Journal. Revised and edited for Medium.