3 Steps to an Ayurvedic Morning Routine
Research from recent decades paints a clear picture: You are only as healthy as your gut flora. The intricate interplay of various microorganisms in your digestion protects you from illness and significantly contributes to your well-being. That's reason enough to give your gut the attention it deserves through a healthy, Ayurvedic lifestyle.
Most people already follow a specific morning ritual unconsciously: When we stretch and move after getting up, open the windows, and brew coffee or tea, we follow a pattern that has proven effective for us. Often, such a “ritual” follows the rules of efficiency – we've learned how to get things done quickly so we can swiftly attend to our diverse tasks.
If you want to integrate the health-promoting elements of Ayurveda into this process, you should first take a step back. Because it's not about proceeding as quickly as possible – rather, you should take a few consciously allotted minutes to support your health and enhance your well-being.
Mindfulness before getting up
A mindful start to the day begins while you are still lying under the warm blanket. Use this moment after waking up not to mentally go through all the day's tasks or to scroll through your smartphone for the latest news, but take a few minutes to answer the following questions:
What am I grateful for today?
Which person or living being needs my attention particularly today?
When can I schedule time for myself today?
At the latest, when the alarm rings for the second time, you start your day without haste but with a calm mind and concrete goals. Now it's about giving your body the attention it deserves. Because during the night, numerous vital detoxification processes have taken place in your body. In Ayurveda, there are three types of cleansing that optimally release toxins and strengthen your immune system.
1. Oil pulling
Do you have a bad taste in your mouth in the morning? No reason to worry – this occurs because during sleep, waste products and toxins accumulate in the oral cavity. You should remove these immediately after getting up because otherwise, you would wash the excreted substances back into your body with the first sip of tea or coffee. The easiest way to achieve a thorough cleaning of the mouth is through oil pulling. The positive effects of this traditional Ayurvedic technique are now also recognized in Western medicine.
To do this, take about a teaspoon of oral care oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, or any other organic oil of your choice into your mouth and “pull” it slowly through all areas of the oral cavity and the spaces between your teeth for 8-10 minutes. Spit the oil into a paper towel and dispose of it in the household waste.
2. Tongue scraping
In Ayurvedic medical diagnosis, the tongue plays a significant role – it is understood as an “extension” of the gastrointestinal tract, which reflects our health status. As in Western medicine, coatings on the tongue can indicate diseases or imbalances. With a stainless steel tongue scraper, residues and toxins can be removed and digestion stimulated. Place the scraper gently on the back third of the tongue's surface and pull it forward several times. Afterwards, you can rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and brush your teeth with a mild toothpaste as usual.
Clean the tongue scraper with warm water.
3. Drink warm lemon water
For the final step of your Ayurvedic morning ritual, put a pot of water on and let it boil a bit longer than usual – ideally between 10-30 minutes. Add lemon to taste, or even ginger or turmeric, to make the water more invigorating. Drink the water warm in small sips. This not only provides your body with the necessary fluids after the night but also stimulates your metabolism. This way, the following breakfast can be better digested.
As you can see, the three Ayurvedic cleansing techniques can be effortlessly integrated into your existing morning ritual. After a few days, the steps become routine, and you'll start your day more mindfully, healthier, and more balanced!