4 Reasons why early birds get all the worms and much much more!

What you stand to gain from this one change in habit far outweighs anything that you think you might loose.

The statement “I wake up early!” quite often is met with responses along the lines of “How on earth is that even possible ?! ” or an extreme “Really ?! That is insane!”. Yet Ayurveda, being a holistic science that emphasises a balanced routine, strongly advocates waking up before sunrise. One and half hours before to be precise.

“Brahmemuhurte uttishthet swastho rakshartham ayushah” which translates into “To attain health and a long life one must awaken in the brahma-muhurtam”. The brahma-muhurtam  refers to the last part of the night, from 2-6am, is the time of pure consciousness and is predominant in sattwa. That brings us to the first reason.

1.Taking full advantage of brahma-muhurtam !

About an hour and a half before the sunrise, a great shift in energy fills space. and about half an hour before sun lights up the sky, a second boom of energy dawns in the atmosphere. This time is considered best for attaining brahma gyan (meditation and self analysis), supreme knowledge and eternal happiness. At this time, the environment is pure and calm and soothing and the mind is fresh after sleep.

2. Predominance of Vata Dosha

2-6am is dominated by Vata, a quality of lightness, quickness and movement. Activities pertaining to those qualities will be effortless at this time of the day. Creativity and clarity generally peak in these early hours, students will greatly benefit from razor sharp concentration and focus and a strong memory. Since elimination of wastes from the body is governed by vata, this is the ideal time to empty your bladder, clear out your bowels, wash off sweat and also rid the mind of mental and emotional wastes triggered by the confusing emotional partner, a boss barking behind a deadline, that annoying jam at the traffic signal and other sources.

3. Soak in Sattva

Ever had those days where everything seems to run smoothly, like a well oiled machine ?!. Actions are effortless, the mind feels light, the day seems brighter than usual bringing a hidden smile across your face and you even experience being lucky ?! That is the effect of Sattva, one of the 3 fundamental gunas, relating to lightness,purity, dynamism and enthusiasm. The oxygen that the body can receive is highest at this time of the and through by spiritual practices like yoga asanas, pranayam, Sudarshan Kriya, chanting and meditations which also aim to increase the sattvic quality in the practitioner can imbibe this . The energy we need to spend during the rest of the day depends on the quality of these yogic practices especially meditations. Waking up in sattva prevents restlessness and grogginess that results from waking after the sunrise.

4. Falling in Harmony with Nature.

Nature is a wonder and is intelligent beyond the anything our little minds can ever comprehend. It takes care of every leaf of every tree and from the tiniest of bacteria to the loving human beings in the most effortless manner. Nature thrives on rhythm. There is a rhythm to the solar system, to our planet, to our breathing, to our emotions and to nearly everything. A fast paced modern lifestyle tends to move us out of this harmony and by a simple act of realigning ourselves we can boost immunity, happiness and overall well-being.

Rising early gives you an opportunity to marvel over the miracle of existence and allow this miracle to instil a deep-felt reverence, for life itself. Rising after having rested, at a time when the day is not yet formed and the night has not yet bid us goodbye, might just be the simplest solution for most of our lifestyle health issues. If your morning routine involves an epic war with snoozing the alarm clock and a hectic rush out to work, then do incorporate waking up early at earliest.