Stay healthy by utilising your BODY’S CLOCK.

Every living being follows a schedule they have set for themselves. For example, birds and animals sleep when they feel it’s dark. Also, birds fly back home using sunset as a signal. The point being everyone follows a clock. But, do you know our body has it’s own biological clock? In modern science, it is also known as a circadian cycle/rhythm. Have you ever wondered why after a while, you start getting hungry or feel sleepy at certain specific times only? It is only because you have programmed your body including the mind to follow a schedule. This becomes your body’s own clock – The biological clock.

But, Ayurveda focuses on the doshas and their influence and strengths during specific times. It suggests that Vata, Pitta and Kapha are a part of us but their level of strength differs throughout the day and this governs our body.

Few tricks to having a healthy lifestyle are also needed to allow balance and stability in your life. Create a schedule of doing same activities at specific fixed times so that your body gets used to it.

Important to understand that we have our own unique constitution where we can PREDOMINANTLY have a specific nature – be it Vata, Pitta, or Kapha BUT we all have these three in some levels regardless of your basic nature.

The strenth of a particular dosha at a specific time influences your body’s process as well your mind.

Ayurveda suggests that

• The best time to wake up is before 6 am as at that time, Vata is pronounced. At this time, Vata provides movement, lightness and mobility. This means this period is best to practice Yoga or meditation. Due to strength of Vata, it eases your body into waking up easily.

Period between 4 am – 6 am is called Brahma Muhurat. This provides positive energy hence best for doing meditation.

• Period between 6 am – 10 am is dominated by Kapha. It provides heaviness to the body. Also, during this period, Agni is weakest. Hence, breakfast should be very light so that it doesn’t overload your stomach and a kapha person can even skip it.

• Your lunch should be your biggest meal of the day. – It is because 10 am – 2 pm is a period of Pitta dominance. Also, Agni is the strongest during this time added by fiery energy of Pitta. Because of this, have a hearty lunch so that it can be easily digested during this time.

• 2 pm – 6 pm is dominanted by energy of Vata. Here, Agni is also comparatively weak in later part of the day and due to the body needing ample time for digestion, you should have your dinner before 6 pm, if possible. This is only so that your body digests the food before you sleep.

Use the time between 6 pm – 10 pm to avoid phones, tv or any bright screens and invest time in calming exercises or breathing. – This is Kapha period and hence it will bring heaviness to your body before sleeping.

• Essential to sleep before 10 pm to get most of your peaceful sleep as the heaviness of Kapha will provide a good, comfortable sleep.

The period after 10 pm is under the dominance of Pitta and due to it’s fiery, intense energy, your body might find it very difficult to rest/sleep if you’re awake.

It is also essential to understand that your body’s nature will also influence/react with the dominance of each dosha in specific time periods.

This means that

A kapha person may find it extremely difficult to wake up after 6 am because kapha is strong during that period hence, they may benefit by waking up before that period (Before 6 am) when the Vata energy brings them lightness.

So, understand that :

Do any activities that need movement during Vata period.

Do activities that are calming or allow rest during Kapha period.

Do intense activities or activities that need your agility during Pitta period.