About nine years ago, I started to delve into Ayurveda. My introduction was through practicing an Ayurvedic daily routine, known as "dinacharya." Dinacharya is a fundamental concept in Ayurveda and, though it seems simple, it’s one of the most impactful things I’ve implemented on my journey back to health. Anything we repeatedly do, day in and day out, will have compounded results in our lives down the road.
These practices are mostly intended to help us align with our natural circadian rhythm, which, over the long term, has a huge impact on the way our body recovers, defends itself, and manages natural physiological rhythms.
The Power of Routines
Implementing routines in our lives is a game-changer. Our brains love structure and our bodies crave consistency; a routine gives us both. The brain, a pattern recognition machine, benefits from repetition. For instance, meditating for ten minutes each morning strengthens neural connections, making the practice easier over time. This repetition forms the basis of neuroplasticity, the process through which our brains form new habits. Beyond that, establishing a routine saves us a lot of mental energy and reduces the number of decisions we need to make each day.
The average person makes thousands of decisions per day, from choosing what to wear to deciding on breakfast or whether to go to the gym. Routines shine here as an absolute time saver! by creating automatic behaviors that require minimal thought and effort once established.
The Benefits of a Morning Routine
Starting your day with a simple habit, like five minutes of focused breathing, can be transformative. Gradually adding more habits as you become comfortable will establish a set of automatic behaviors. Once ingrained, these habits require zero thought and mental effort but bring incredible benefits that continue to compound as you continue the practice. With predetermined daily practices, you free up mental space for more important decisions. Reducing Decision Fatigue A well-planned routine is like an automatic system that helps you stay on track without much effort. It eliminates the overwhelm of too many decisions, known as decision fatigue. While a routine offers structure, it's also essential to allow for some spontaneity. For me, following my routine on weekdays and embracing a go-with-the-flow approach on weekends works perfectly.
Tips for Creating and Sticking to a Routine
*Start small and make it easy: Aim for small wins that add up over time; this will help you avoid overwhelm.
*Find what works for you: Everyone is different; you may not want to wake up and meditate like I do, so start experimenting and stick with what works for you.
*Allow for flexibility: Anticipate that you might need extra time to get things done. Account for this ahead of time, possibly in your calendar.
Embrace the power of routines, and watch as they help you stay on track and support your journey to a healthier and more balanced life.
To health and wellness,
Tati.
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