Ayurveda and Sleep

Some of us think:” I am fine with 4 hours of sleep” or “it doesn’t matter if I sleep from 1 am to 9 am or 10 pm to 5 am” or “I can enjoy a late dinner and go to bed immediately afterwards, not a problem” or “sleeping is a waste of my time”.

The other side of the coin is that almost 45 % of Americans suffer from insomnia, which translates into sleep disorder.

It is important to live a balanced and healthy life, but how do we achieve this. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do I have a consistent bedtime?
  • Do I get up at the same time each day?
  • When do I eat my meals?
  • What is my emotional and physical state before I eat?
  • What activities do I participate in?

All these questions will help us answer the questions concerning the 3 pillars of life.

  1. What do I put into my body – food, water, breath, perception
  2. Healthy lifestyle
  3. Sleep for health and longevity
Sleep means that your mind is at rest.

It is an Ayurvedic fact that the moon has cooling energies, which helps the body and mind relax and calm down.
The sun’s energy starts to settle in before dawn, all senses become energetic and alert and we wake up.

Even when we sleep during the day, the mind is only in full rest during the night. That deep restfulness is required for the mind and body to rejuvenate. A power nap doesn’t provide the real rest to all organs and cells. The quality of nighttime sleep is much deeper than daytime sleep.

A good sleep can give you happiness and wellness. If you don’t sleep well, it can cause health conditions.

In addition, after a day’s work, our mind, body and senses need a deserved rest of all impulses and stresses. The metabolism is also more active during the night and we process information and create meaning to most inputs from the day.

What does a healthy sleep means?

  •  Sleep only at night during moon hours
  • Sleep at least 6 to 8 hours per night
  • Sleep early and get up early (my bet is 10 pm to 5 or 6 am)
  • You know you got a good night’s sleep if you feel refreshed in the morning
  • Sleep without a sleep aid. Sleep aids are sedating the internal system which, in this case, cannot get replenished and repaired during the night.

What does unhealthy sleep mean?

  •  A deep sleep due to alcohol or drugs or excessive physical exertion before going to bed
  • Insomnia or waking around 3 am due to mental agitation, worry, anxiety, depression fear or pain.
  • During the day, sleep should be avoided except for short (10 to 15 minutes) nap after a meal.

How to promote a good night’s sleep?

  •  Enjoy your last meal 3 hours before going to bed.
  • Enjoy a warm bath or shower before going to bed.
  • Keep a regular sleep schedule
  • Try to go to sleep by 10 pm
  • Avoid caffeinated drinks especially in the evening.
  • Do not go to bed hungry.
  • Alternate nostril breathing helps you relax and balance (Learn more here.)
  • Adjust bedroom environment. Do not keep cell phone on in bedroom. Turn it off. If you need the alarm, put it in airplane mode in order to have no wifi activity nor cellular network. Don’t keep your router in the bedroom due to electromagnetic fields.
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking in the evening.

How to avoid sleeplessness?

  •  Apply warm oil to body and scalp before going to bed.
  • Drink a cup of Golden Milk (Get the recipe here.)
  • Start unwinding 30 to 45 minutes before going to bed.
  • Avoid stimulating activities and give all senses a well deserving rest.

Mahatma Ghandi
EACH NIGHT, WHEN I GO TO SLEEP, I DIE. AND THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN I WAKE UP, I AM REBORN.
          

Leave a comment