How To Get The Most Out Of Your Day With Ease
Ayurveda teaches us that our bodies are meant to be in alignment with nature. And when we’re in alignment in nature, we seem to be able to accomplish things with ease.
However, when we go against nature, the more difficult things seem to get. I used to wonder why I can’t bring myself to go hard during a 6am workout. Or why it’s so difficult for me to focus at work around 5pm despite drinking coffee. Or why I usually get a second wind of energy around 10:30pm even though I was so tired a few hours ago.
The answer lies with the DOSHAS, which are the energies that move through the day. As you may recall from my previous post called, “What Is Ayurveda”, there are 3 doshas that makeup who we are - Vata, Pitta, & Kapha. These energies are present in us and everywhere in nature, including our days.
6am - 10am is Kapha time. Being comprised of Earth and Water, Kapha has a heavy, sticky, and slow moving energy. That is why when we wake up in the morning, our bodies tend to move slower. During this time, it’s best to start our days with calmness, serenity, and peace. Our agni (digestive fire) is also just starting to simmer so a heavy breakfast will be very difficult for the stomach to digest. Anything cold will also put out your digestive fire so drinking a smoothie first thing in the morning is definitely not something advisable. I like to begin my day by brushing my teeth, drinking hot water with ginger and lemon to stimulate the agni, meditation, a light and short yoga sequence, a nice warm bowl of oatmeal. Sometimes, I journal too, depending on what I need for the day.
10am - 2pm is Pitta time. Being comprised of Fire and a bit of Water, Pitta is fiery, quick, hot, and intense. This is why Pitta time occurs during the time of day when the sun is at the highest point (noon), and naturally our bodies and minds are also running at its peak. This is my “get shit done” time of day where I’m just crossing things off my list and feeling like my most productive self. Naturally, since we’re running on full speed, our bodies want substantial sustenance, so lunch, not dinner, is actually the perfect time of day to have your biggest meal. Your agni is strongest during Pitta so it can more easily digest food as oppose to the morning or evening. That’s why you should never skip lunch as you’re denying your body energy when it needs it the most. Hard-core workouts and exercises are also perfect during Pitta time when your energy is at its peak. Ever try a spin class at 5am vs. one at 1pm - it’s like night and day!
2pm - 6pm is Vata time. Being comprised of Air and Space, Vata is fast moving, light, and dry. This time of day is prime for creative work, problem-solving, and out-of-the-box thinking. I have a heavy Vata composition, so this time of day can bring me agitation. Therefore, as much as I can, I surround myself with a peaceful, warm, grounding environment and low-stress activities that won’t easily distract or stress me out. Vata, because it’s governed by air, is the most delicate of the doshas, and most likely to become imbalanced. Avoid scheduling meetings or activities that you know will arouse stress within you. By keeping a peaceful space at this time of day, you can harness and manifest your creative gifts while avoiding getting off-balanced.
6pm - 10pm is Kapha time again when Earth & Water rule the day. That is why we tend to feel heavy and slow because our bodies want to unwind and prepare for rest. Eat a light early dinner and avoid meat since your metabolism is slow during this time of day. This will prevent food from getting stuck in your digestive tract as animal products take a lot of energy to break down. Consuming them in the afternoon is best. Perform your bedtime rituals, such as brushing your teeth, scraping your tongue, meditating, or giving yourself a relaxing foot massage as you prepare to go sleep. I love to use a luxurious oil or body butter on my feet before going to bed. Try not to get into activities or chats that will agitate, upset, or give you energy as this will interfere with your sleep.
10pm - 2am is Pitta time so hopefully you’re asleep before then. Why? Because it’s much harder to fall asleep during Pitta’s reign, which is all about doing and getting things done! When you’re asleep during this time, your body is working by cleansing itself internally. So if you’re still awake, you totally miss out on the detoxing part of your day. To add that, being awake during this time is also when you feel the muchies so don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting that bag of chips or bowl of ice cream. Eating during this time removes your body’s opportunity to rest its digestive system so now, it will have to work overtime to breakdown the added food you’re consuming. So remember, try your best to sleep before Pitta kicks in!
2am - 6am is Vata time again, when Air and Space dominate. Because this time of day is quiet, tranquil, and removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday work, it’s the best time to meditate and pray. Ayurveda advises waking up by 6am or before sunrise to avoid being in bed when Kapha time starts. Why? Because the heavy nature of Kapha makes waking up more difficult, leading to grogginess. So try your best to wake up before then so you can start your day feeling lighter and more refreshed. If you’re like me, I need about 10 minutes before I can actually get up. So, I like to set my alarm to 5:45-5:50am.
As you work to integrate the Doshic times in your everyday life, give yourself time to adjust and know that it’s normal if you fall off the wagon from time to time. It’s called life. So just do your best and I promise that with consistency, you’ll feel more in alignment with yourself and with life around you, making you a more productive person. As a mom, I SO appreciate that! So just be kind to yourself and remember that all this isn’t about perfection. It’s to help you live in balance with your mind, body, and spirit.
