In Ayurveda, establishing a consistent daily routine helps to bring balance to a person's body, mind and consciousness. It sets the tone for your entire day, and regularises a person's biological clock, aids digestion, absorption, and assimilation, and generates self-esteem, discipline, peace, happiness, and longevity. Sound like something you'd like to do for yourself? 

Well get started today! Start slowly implementing one routine at a time, start with what comes easy to you and slowly add…. Then enjoy the benefits!

Wake up early. It is good to wake up before the sun rises, when there are loving (sattvic) qualities in nature that bring peace of mind and freshness to the senses. Sunrise varies according to the seasons, but on average vata people should get up about 6 a.m., pitta people by 5:30 a.m., and kapha by 4:30 a.m. 

Brush your teeth. Within 3-5 minutes of waking brush your teeth (and then scrape your tongue). Always use a soft toothbrush and an astringent, pungent, and bitter toothpaste or powder.

Scrape your Tongue. Gently scrape the tongue from the back forward, until you have scraped the whole surface. This stimulates the internal organs, helps digestion, and removes dead bacteria. 

Cleansing morning drink. Either drink a glass of warm water or instead make a cleansing drink in warm water of ¼ tsp grated fresh ginger, ¼ tsp fresh lemon juice, ¼ tsp quality honey (only add honey when water is at drinking temp). This acts as a detergent for the gut. It washes the GI track, flushes the kidneys, and stimulates peristalsis. It is not a good idea to start the day with tea or coffee, as this drains kidney energy, stresses the adrenals, causes constipation, and is habit-forming. 

Set an intention or prayer for the day. Say some positive words to yourself, recite a prayer or set an intention to start your day with joy, love and gratitude. 

Eliminate. Sit on the toilet and have a bowel movement. Improper digestion of the previous night's meal or lack of sound sleep can prevent this. However, the morning drink, followed by sitting on the toilet at a set time each day, helps to regulate bowel movements. Some may require dietary changes and herbs to assist to make this regular.

Oil pulling. Swish 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in your mouth for 60 seconds to pull the bacteria from your mouth and gums. This strengthens teeth, gums, and jaw, improves the voice and removes wrinkles from cheeks. .8 A few pointers: 1) swish the oil gently, 2) don't swallow, 3) then spit the oil into paper towels or the bin, rather than down the drain (oil can clog drains).

Nasal Drops (Nasya) Putting 3 to 5 drops of sesame oil into each nostril in the morning helps to lubricate the nose, clean the sinuses, and improve voice, vision, and mental clarity. Our nose is the door to the brain, so nose drops nourish prana (energy) and bring intelligence. 

Ear Drops. This is helpful for ringing in the ears, excess ear wax, poor hearing, lockjaw. Putting 2-5 drops of warm sesame oil in each ear 1-2 x per week can help these disorders and help with over all ear health. 

Warm Oil Massage (Abhyanga). Gentle rubbing of warm oil over the head and the whole body reduces dryness external and internally in the body. Helps the lymphatic system, circulation and flow in the body which relates to the immune system. It also calms the mind, nervous system and enhances sleep. 

Bathe. Bathing is cleansing and refreshing. It removes sweat, dirt, and fatigue, brings energy to the body, clarity to the mind, and holiness to your life. 

Exercise. Regular exercise, especially yoga, improves circulation, strength, and endurance. It helps one relax and have sound sleep and improves digestion and elimination. Exercise daily to half of your capacity, which is until sweat forms on the forehead, armpits, and spine. Vata people: Gentle exercise. Pitta people: Calming exercise. Kapha people: Vigorous exercise. 

Breathing exercises (Pranayama). After exercise, sit quietly and do some deep breathing exercises as follows. Count your breath by lengthening your breath for 10 – 15 rounds or do 12 rounds of alternate nostril breathing. You can also practice this throughout your day to rest and calm. 

Meditation. It is important to meditate morning and evening for at least 15 minutes. Meditation brings balance and peace into your life. 

Breakfast! Your breakfast should be light and warm. Avoid a cold breakfast as this is like pouring water on a burning fire – therefore doesn't prepare your gut for optimum digestion. Ayurveda suggests freshly cooked porridge such as oats, rice flakes, ragi, semolina, stewed fruits, pancakes such as besan or mung bean or buckwheat.