7 Morning Habits Backed by Ayurveda for Better Health

 

7 Morning Habits Backed by Ayurveda for Better Health 

        

Introduction: Why Mornings are Important in Ayurveda

Morning in India Ayurvedic tradition is regarded as a near-sacred time. This early morning period is referred to as the Brahma Muhurta (approximately 96 minutes before sunrise) and is regarded as the ideal time to do spiritual practices and healing and get a clear mind. It is very basic Ayurvedic ideology: what you take at the beginning of the day shapes the rest of your life.

Unlike the modern busy schedule that is dominated by cell phones and snooze buttons, Ayurvedic morning regimes aim to bring your body, mind, and soul to the natural order of things. With regular practice of these rituals, the outcome is good digestive health, good immunity, relaxed emotions, and good energy levels.

 

Now, we are going to discuss the 7 Ayurvedic morning habits that are life-changing in terms of health.

1. Get up early in the morning (early Brahma Muhurta).

 

        

An individual who has risen in the early morning in the Brahma Muhurta and done the Ayurvedic morning routine.

Best Moment: 430 a.m. to 6 a.m. (when and what you wake up at depends on where        you are and the time of the day, the sun rises)

We should rise early according to Ayurveda, at least 1.5 hours before the sun goes down. 

This is a spiritually enriched time and brings one peace of mind and clarity.

        

Health Benefits:

• Makes you more focus and creative
• Resets the body in sync with the circadian rhythm
• Relieves mental stress - and calms the nerves
• Rises spiritual awareness

        

Tip: Do not go to your phone at first. Rather, sit calmly, smile, and stretch, and celebrate the start of your day by expressing gratitude.

2. Facial Breathing Freshness (Oral care, tongue scraping, nasal washing)

    Ayurveda places importance on the sanitization of senses when we wake:

    

a. Tongue Scraping

   

With the use of a copper or stainless-steel tongue scraper, ama (toxins) collected overnight can be removed.

Clear away bacteria; enhance oral health.

•  Improves palate senses
•  It decreases halitosis.

    

b. Oil Pulling

Swish 1 tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil in the mouth for 5-10 minutes.

•  Purification of oral cavity & sinuses
•   Gums, and teeth
•   Aids the digestive system and skin transparency

    

c. Nasal Rinse (Neti Pot + Nasya Oil)

       

Cleanse your nasal passages with a saline rinse (Neti Pot), and then take in a Nasy  (nasal oil drops).

• Thin problems of congestion and allergies
•  Improves respiration and prana-flow
•  Settles the nervous system 

3. Clear Toxins Naturally (BM & Hydration)

    Frequent morning bowel movements are necessary in detoxification.

   

What to Do:

• Warm lemon or bit of Himalayan salt water
• Triphala powder (a mild Ayurvedic laxative) can be used in case of need.
•  Natural squat position (place a footstool to help you out)

        

Benefits      

•        Stimulates the digestive system and metabolism.
•       Removes bloating and constipation.
•       Detoxifies the colon of ama (toxins)

    

 4. Apply Abhyanga (self-massage, etc.).

Self-operated massage with warm oil—called Abhyanga—is a mainstay of Ayurvedic self-care.

        

How to Do:

•        Warm sesame (Vata), coconut (Pitta) or mustard (Kapha) oil.
•        Massage on from head to toe in circular then long strokes
•       Apply for 15-20 min before a warm shower.

Benefits:

• Feeds the skin and the nerves
• Relieves lymphatic drainage
• Decreases stress and tiredness
• Increases blood circulation

       

 Bonus: Standard Abhyanga is believed to slow down the aging process and result in         younger-skinned-like skin.

5.  Combine yoga, pranayama, and meditation.

Ayurveda recommends that one do movement and breathwork in the morning as a way of waking up the body and relaxing the mind.

        

a. Yoga Asanas (15-30 minutes)

Pick light movements, for example:

•        Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations).
•        Warm-Up – Cat-Cow (for flexibility of the spine)
•        Child’s Pose (for grounding)  

b.    Pranayama Breathing Techniques)

•     Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril) to get the energy into balance.
•      Bhramari (bee breath) to relax the mind
•      Proper: Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) to clean.

 

c. Meditation

    Five to ten minutes of awareness or chanting the mantra can:

•        Enhance attention.
•        Minimize worry
•        Brighten your mood

“The mind is sick and needs meditation. Work at it every day to cleanse your thoughts.””

 

6. Have an herbal tonic or an infused warm water.

    Drink a warm Ayurvedic drink of your dosha before having breakfast.

 

Suggestions based on Dosha:

•        Vata: Warm water, ginger, cinnamon and licorice
•        Pitta: Aloe vera drink or tea of coriander-cumin-fennel
•        Kapha: Tea made of ginger, lemon, and black pepper or tulsi tea

        

PHD General Health Drinks:

•        Warm water, honey, and lemon
•        Flax water (constipation)
•        Triphala tea (including detox and constipation)

       

These are basic drinks that activate Agni (digestive fire), detoxify toxins, and read your gut for food.

 

7. Have a Light and Nourishing Ayurvedic Breakfast

Missing breakfast or consuming heavy food like fried fast food as a first meal would not cause very good digestion. Ayurveda advises against heavy food in the morning, warm food, and sattvic (pure) food.

 

Good Ayurvedic Breakfast:

•        Hot ghee rice and infused ghee and spices porridge
•        Cinnamon- and cardamom-stewed apples.
•        Light and easy-to-digest food (moong dal khichdi).
•        Herbal teas, or nut milk smoothies with almond and dates

Bonus: Add-Ons (to put your routine on steroids)

• Affirmations or Gratitude Practice: A good start (in the morning) to the positive mindset.
•  Sun Salutation out-of-doors:Have sunshine release serotonin and vitamin D.
• Dreaming: Record your dreams or ambitions or what you think of first when you wake up.

Concluding: Step-by-Step Morning Ritual Creation

It may seem daunting to begin a new Ayurvedic morning routine, but you are not required to complete all 7 of the habits on Day 1. Keep trying at first, and then take 23 that fit you best, and then another.

Frequency may, as you know, be weightier than severity. Some conscious routines practiced regularly will revolutionize your body, mental well-being, and spirituality.

         

Habit	Purpose	Benefits
Wake before sunrise	Be in tune with nature	intellectuality, energy
Cleanse Senses	Remove toxins	Hygiene, immunity level
Natural Elimination	Detox	Healthy digestion
Abhyanga	Fortify skin/nerves	Stress relief, glow
Yoga & Pranayama	Move Breathe	Flexibility, calmness
Herbal Drink	Stimulate Agni	Digestion, equilibrium doshas
Light Breakfast	Fuel body	Energy, concentration of mind

 

TRY THIS: 5-Day Challenge

Start your own Ayurvedic morning practice. Get into a 5-day challenge:

•        Day 1-2: Early morning wake-up + Tongue cleaning + Warm water
•        Day 3: introduce Abhyanga and yoga
•        Day 4: Add pranayama
•        DAY 5 Herbal tea + conscious breakfast