According to Ayurveda, waking up early has many benefits. Here’s what makes this act so important and a key component of an Ayurvedic morning routine.

Ayurvedic Significance of the Sun

From the Ayurvedic perspective, the sister science of yoga that scripts 9,000 years back and has been practiced since the very origin of the existence of the human race, there are two energies that balance all living things: the solar and lunar energy. 

Solar energy is governed by the sun and holds our active energy, the day time, and the times we are energized. Lunar energy is governed by the moon and holds our passive energy, the calm, the easy, and the times we rest. When we wake with the sun, we are activating that transition of time and energy. It is a beautiful dance between night and day, lunar and solar, the moon and the sun, this perfect balance and transition.

When to Wake Based on the Ayurvedic Times of Day

Ayurveda is based on the 5 elemental theory, categorizing these elements in three groups or Doshas; Vata (Air/Ether), Pitta (Fire/Water), Kapha (Earth/Water). We understand that the elements are in everything, our bodies, minds, and hearts and we find balance by being in tune with these elements. These elements also govern different parts of the day as seen here:

• 10pm - 2am Fire/Water (Pitta) - The best time to get the deepest sleep. During this time, the brain processes information that we no longer need. Think of this time as when the night janitor comes in and cleans the brain.
• 2am - 6am Air/Ether (Vata) - Lighter sleep, when we experience most dreams. During this lighter sleep, our dreams express our subconscious thoughts. This is a time to be receptive and wake toward the end of this cycle.
• 6am - 10am Earth/Water (Kapha) - Time to be awake, quiet, and creative. Because this time is governed by the heavy elements of water and earth, it is best to be awake. Sleeping during this time will create more heaviness and sluggishness. Get the body gently moving and flowing. Right at that 6am mark (the time when the sun usually rises) there is a shift, moving from Vata (Air/Ether) to Kapha (Earth/Water) and in that transition we go from being charged and renewed, to feeling heavy, sleepy, and it makes it more difficult to get out of bed. Sunrise is the best time to wake up because during this time of day, we feel rebirth; it feels like we are fully charged, it sets us up for the day and creates a ritual to honor ourselves as well as the sun.

Waking Up Early Benefits According to Ayurveda

If you think of when you wake up as being the 'birth' of the day and when you go to bed being the 'death', how would you like to set up the whole 'lifespan' of your day? What do you want the 'birth' of your day to be like? Waking with the sun creates a charge, a cleansing, a transition to start the day fresh. When we wake up with the sun we may feel:

• Happier, more positive, in a better mood
• Lighter, more awake and productive
• A deeper connection to ourselves with the power of the sun
• Clear, quiet, and peaceful in the first moments of the day before we go about with our list of To-Do's

We also experience physical benefits, like better circadian rhythm regulation and hormone balancing. When we shift our experience with one morning, into every morning, we begin to restructure our minds, our bodies and our hearts to feel more love, honor, and gratitude. 

Make it even better by starting your morning with a little movement to break a light sweat, a grounding meditation and a rejuvenative breakfast. An incredible way to get supportive herbs with ease is by taking PIOR Living Chyawanprash, an Ayurvedic jam for general health and wellness. 

Interested in learning more about Ayurvedic habits and rituals? Read our guide to developing an Ayurvedic daily routine.