Waking up at the right time each day is an important Ayurvedic principle. In fact, it’s a key part of the set of routines and rituals that create a daily discipline for the body and mind, allowing you to set each day on the right path. So, when exactly is the best time to wake up each day? Let’s take a look.

The Healthiest Time to Wake Up, According to Ayurveda

Awakening with (or some time before) the rising sun (so long as it is before 6am) helps you take advantage of Vata time, since at 6am, Kapha, which is the energy of earth and water, becomes dominant. Allowing yourself to wake during Kapha time (i.e., after 6am) leads to a heaviness of spirit and sluggishness despite the additional sleep time that it may offer. 

For many, the goal is to wake up around half an hour before sunrise to allow for cleansing rituals, early morning activities and meditation so that you can welcome the sun in a fully engaged way. Hope, peace, and inspiration are cultivated by means of these routines, and it is considered optimal for attaining "Brahma Gyan" (meditation and self-analysis), supreme knowledge, and eternal happiness since your surroundings are usually quiet and the mind and body are fresh from sleep.

Challenge of Varying Sunrise Times

A challenge for those committed to a life guided by Ayurvedic principles is keeping up with these rituals as the seasons change and we travel; because of course the time the sun rises can fluctuate. In summer, the days are longer with more sunlight, and in winter, the days become shorter with darkness prevailing. Those who live closer to equatorial zones have the benefit of experiencing sunrise at consistent times through the year, while those living at greater latitudes may see winter sunrise as late as 8am and as early as 4am in the summer. 

So, what time should you wake? While it's important to be mindful of vata and kapha times of day, it's also important to listen to the seasons. You may want to gently push your wake time later or earlier in order to get the rest you need and align with the rhythms of the seasons, sun, and moon. By connecting your body's clocks with the natural flows of nature's cycles, you'll get closer to a life of balance, vitality, and harmony.

Creating an Ayurvedic Morning Routine

Rising with (or before) the sun is the first step in an Ayurvedic morning routine. After you wake, you can incorporate other rituals such as clearing the gunk, performing Abhyanga (self-massage) with Ghruta ghee, and practicing yoga. It’s also good to start the day by taking Chyawanprash, a herbal superfood jam that supports longevity, immunity, digestive function, and much more.