As per Ayurveda a person should wake up before dawn (time of high vata) when it is calm and quiet, the air is free from pollutants and there is time to pray or to meditate. After getting out of the bed one should wash one's face with water- lukewarm or cold according to the season. Gently splashing water over the eyes helps in cleaning the eyes and is nourishing to all five senses. The eyes should be kept wide open while splashing water over them.

After washing and cleaning one's face, it is always advisable to drink a glass of cold water. This is prescribed for all days in all seasons unless one has a cold, a cough or a sore throat. The importance of drinking a glass of water in the morning cannot be overemphasized for it helps in the excretory process. Drinking a cup of tea in the morning only produces pressure and stimulates the intestine to start the movement for evacuation of waste. It is like a reflex action which is different from the effect produced by drinking a glass of water. Hot tea stimulates the intestine so strongly that the effect loses its significance after some days leading to constipation. The caffeine content in tea also produces some adverse effects in the intestines. A glass of water, on the other hand, is excellent for the peristalsis of the intestines.

Evacuation of stool early in the morning should become a regular habit and a glass of cold water helps overcome any problems caused by indigestion and inadequate sleep if the previous night's meal has not been assimilated properly. Worry, anxiety, short temper, over-sensitivity cause a lot of wind to form in the stomach which gets accumulated in the intestines at night. Fried food and certain 'heavy' lentils cause flatulence as also the absence of an adequate quantity of leafy vegetables and fruit in one's diet. Flatulence causes obstruction and irregularity in bowel movements. Very often this incomplete metabolism leads to loss of appetite, indigestion, headache, fatigue and even sleeplessness. Excessive flatulence can also put pressure on the heart and cause palpitation. Proper food, drink and sleep are therefore of primary importance.

After this, the teeth should be brushed. In India, twigs of the Neem tree and others are used for brushing the teeth. The Neem twig is chewed at the top while brushing. Herbal tooth powders and paste are also available. Along with brushing the teeth, scraping is also highly recommended. Again this helps the eye muscles and therefore strengthens eyesight. Tongue scrapers should be made of gold, silver, copper, tin or brass. They should be curved and should have smooth edges.

After the teeth have been brushed and the tongue cleaned mustard or sesame oil should be consumed and rotated in the oral cavity so as to strengthen the jaw and the gums. It also facilitates the sensitivity of taste buds towards various food tastes.

After this a small quantity of cold oil should be massaged over the head. This prevents graying of hair, stops hair fall, facilitates sound sleep in the night and nourishes all the sense organs. A few drops of oil in the ears also nourishes the temporo-mandibular joint and increases hearing ability.

An oil massage over whole body reduces vata and allays everyday stresses and strains and improves the quality of skin. It  rejuvenates the body and increases the ability of all sense organs.

Body massage should be followed by massage over the feet which reduces vata, improves the health of feet and nourishes the eyes.