06.15.09
Using the time of the day to your best advantage.
This is from the life science of Ayurveda and it has helped me so much. We all have these biocycles through out the day and if you can arrange your activities with these cycles, it all just works better.
From 6-10 (am and pm) are the “kapha” hours. Kapha is the low metabolism time. This means try to eat only light meals after 6 pm because your digestion will be slower. Get to bed before 10 pm while you are in this more relaxed state. Get up before 6 am or you again go into kapha time and it becomes much harder to get up if you wait till after 6.
From 10-2 (am and pm) is “pitta” time. Pitta is high metabolism. Eat now! Eat your biggest meal mid-day. You will metabolize it so much better and you’ll need the energy to get through the rest of your day. Remember from kapha to go to bed before 10? If you wait past 10, you go into pitta time again and you’ll be wide awake and ready to clean the house – your metabolism has kicked into high gear again.
From 2-6 (am and pm) is “vata” time. Vata is all about movement. I read once that most babies are born around 4 am—vata time – get those babies moving! If you can set your alarm and get up just before 6 am, it will become easier and easier and you won’t even need an alarm. You’ll be getting up during vata hours when it’s easier. Wait till after 6 am and you’re doomed to be groggy.
I have experimented and observed these cycles for several years and they really work. See for yourself.
Elisabeth said,
June 22, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Hi Barbara! Welcome to the world of blog. Fun stuff! I found this post very interesting. I always get very tired after lunch and also love early mornings and late nights. I’ve always thought that I would like to try sleeping in two daily shifts: from 1-5 am AND pm, to be able to take advantage of my two favorite times of the day. However, now that I read this post, I don’t think it would be a good experiment! I’ll stick to getting up at 6!