In my last blog I discussed the morning rituals as propagated by Ayurveda and their importance in retaining good health.
In the entire ‘Dincharya’ food also asserts a considerable importance. Ayurveda discusses in details types of foods one should have at various times of the day and night as well as in every ‘Rutu’ – season.
After all these morning rituals, one can commence the day with a pre determined routine in the following manner:
Breakfast:
Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day because the last meal is consumed almost 12 hours earlier and is the first meal of the day! Breakfast should be moderate, yet packed with maximum nutrients. Breakfast always ensures that the body generates optimum amount of energy needed to stay active until the next meal. Kick-start the day with a healthy breakfast I have seen people mistaking proper breakfast as something that is heavy while an actually proper breakfast is balanced, nutritious meal that is filled with seasonal fruit, vegetables, sprouts, etc. Normally, ideal time for breakfast should be 90 minutes after sunrise. I routinely come across many patients who regularly skip breakfast. Whether it is because of having to get the household chores completed before rushing to office, my strong recommendation is to NEVER EVER MISS BREAKFAST. Because by simply having breakfast at regular timing can add more healthy years to your life!
Lunch:
Lunch is the main meal of the day. The day that is full of physical and mental activity at work place. As such, one needs to include a great deal of nutrition in this meal along with moderate calorie intake. The ideal time for lunch is between 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. during this period, ‘Pitta’ is dominant which can effectively help digestion. Today we see many people taking their lunch way beyond 2 p.m. and also many prefer to make do with snacks or even some fast food, not to mention those who completely forego their lunch. Remember, this definitely creates adverse effects on your body. Those who prefer heavy foods, non vegetarian foods should ensure that they eat this at lunch or even breakfast as the activities of the day enable digestion of such heavy foods easily. But please remember, that the type of food, the frequency of eating such foods will not only depend on each person’s individual capacity to digest but also the ‘Rutu’ and the way the non vegetarian food is prepared. Abundance of spices and oil as well as overcooking will only lead to ill health. Again such non vegetarian lunches or breakfasts should include adequate greens and vegetable to balance. After having lunch, it is suggested to go for a little walk, say, for five minutes. This helps digestion.
Twilight:
Twilight is the special time, which is a cusp between the day and the night. It is the ideal time for evening prayers, meditations. It is also the best time to see one’s Inner Self.
Supper:
Ayurveda recommends supper time between 6 pm to 8 pm. However, it is not practical in this present contest of fast moving life. It is still advisable to have dinner before you exhaust completely, but definitely two hours prior to going to bed. After sunset the digestive powers decrease drastically and that is why the supper should always be light and small in quantity. After the dinner it is again advisable to take a walk for a short while. The saying that the supper should be befitting a pauper, this simply means that the supper should be light on stomach and frugal.
Go To Bed:
After having dinner, it is the time to relax. Spend some quality time with your family. Sit back and relax. Read a book or listen to soothing music. This is the time to calm your system down. Thereafter, one should have a sound sleep of 6 to 7 hours.) It’s bedtime then…Ideally 10 p.m. is the time for going to bed. The one thing that one should follow is not be exposed to any kinds of screens (computer/laptops, television sets or even your much beloved cell phone as it is capable of giving you disturbed sleeping patterns if not sleepless nights)
I am sure now that you have read this, you will begin to follow a routine and yet you may have questions…So, don’t wait…start writing to me!
Happy life!
Dr. Manjiri Joshi
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