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The ancient Ayurveda tells us the secret of good
health is the practice of dincharya, a daily regime. It advices on a
balanced life-style including exercise, sleep and posture based on
biorhythms and body type. Meditation forms an essential part of the
therapy to control bodily functions from the highest centres of the
mind.
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Daily Regime - The Dincharya
 The
Ayurvedic classics give us detailed descriptions of how to maintain
healthy and disciplined lifestyle. Charaka has given a comprehensive and
detailed account of the mode of living and rules of good conduct to be
followed if we want a good, healthy and happy life. The average span of
life for human beings should be one hundred years, but this may decrease
if the prescribed good conduct is not adhered to. According to Ayurveda
to achieve the fourfold objectives of life we must have good health.
Those objectives are:
- Dharma (virtuous duty)
- Artha (wealth)
- Kama (enjoyment)
- Moksha (salvation)
In Ayurveda, hygiene, lifestyle and diet are crucial
to good health. To attain perfect state of health Ayurveda prescribes
the specific daily routine the dincharya, which includes all aspects of
regimen and diet, to stay healthy and happy. In the dinacharya or daily
routine, it is most important that food is taken in a proper way, with
regard to quality, quantity, and frequency because food is the basic
element. The total health structure depends on it. Diseases are believed
to result from impaired nutrition. Food that is digested in due time
without disturbing the equilibrium of doshas and dhatus, and without
impairing one's health, is regarded as the proper quantity of food.
Ayurveda classifies food products according to their nature and
qualities. Some foods are of vatika type (vata), so if a vatika
individual consumes more vatika food, there is a possibility of
increased vatika activity. Similar rules follow for the kaphaja (kapha)
and paittika (pitta) types of food and individual. Perfect health
according to Ayurveda is a state of balance between the mind, body,
spirit, and environment. This balance, or harmony, is achieved through
diet, exercise, lifestyle, meditation, the maintenance of psychological
well-being, and the serenity that comes with self-acceptance. Moreover,
dietary rules need to be considered in relation to the seasons and times
of the day. Perfect health can be achieved if the daily routine is
followed accurately, which includes early rising, cleanliness, exercise,
satisfying natural urges and mental and moral discipline. If all these
factors are taken into consideration than only perfect state of health
can be achieved.
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