DINACHARYA AND CIRCADIAN HEALTH: LINKING THE AYURVEDIC DAILY REGIMEN WITH SLEEP AND METABOLIC HEALTH

Dinacharya, the Ayurvedic concept of a structured daily regimen, is a fundamental pillar of Swasthavritta that aims to preserve health through the timely regulation of sleep, physical activity, meals, and other daily practices. In parallel, modern circadian science has demonstrated that the synchronization of biological rhythms plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, hormonal balance, and sleep quality. Increasing prevalence of irregular sleep schedules, sedentary behaviour, and disrupted daily routines has been linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other cardio metabolic disorders. This review explores the conceptual relationship between Dinacharya and circadian health by integrating classical Ayurvedic principles with contemporary evidence from chronobiology. It discusses how regular daily behavioural patterns may influence circadian alignment, sleep regulation, and metabolic function, while identifying current evidence, knowledge gaps, and future research directions. The review highlights Dinacharya as a potential evidence-informed lifestyle framework for the prevention of metabolic disorders and the promotion of holistic health.