Practical Suggestions from Ayurveda for Sleep

Health Tips

By Natural Health+

Sleep problems are no longer surprising in today’s modern world that people no matter what age have sleeping problems. Because of the pressures of everyday life, people opt to put off sleeping to get work done. Studies have shown that consistently depriving oneself of sleep could eventually lead to a lot of health complications that include obesity, weak immune systems, and high blood pressure.

Based on Ayurveda, one of the pillars of a healthy life is sleep. Combined with the proper diet and a healthy way of life, sleep is essential for total well-being. It rejuvenates both body and mind and allows the body to function properly and at its best whenever a person is awake. Sleep is vital as it improves Ojas, which Ayurveda believes is the master planner that works between the body, the mind, and one’s inner self. Although Ayurveda doesn’t require that everyone must have a maximum of 8 hours of sleep each day, it does emphasize that its quality and quantity is needed for a complete recharge of the body and the mind, which is essential for longer life, physical and mental well-being, and bliss.

There are several suggestions offered by Ayurveda to be able to sleep easily and enjoy refreshing and quality rest. Because people are creatures of habit, one can follow the natural pattern of sleeping and waking up. This means that a person must retire early, which is at 9:45 pm at the latest. Rising at 6 am is the most ideal time. This routine must be followed even during weekends. Waking up and sleeping each day on a regular time allows relaxation of the mind and body when the time to sleep approaches, which condition one’s physiology to sleep at that particular time.

Exercising every morning also helps to be able to sleep better and easier. Working in the latter part of the day is discouraged as it raises the levels of one’s energy and prepares the body for activity instead of sleep. Ayurveda also advises that heavy dinners and spicy types of food at night must be avoided. Light dinners must be taken instead, 3 hours before retiring. One must also avoid drinking excessive amounts of water or any types of beverages as well. Instead, warm milk of about a cup is advisable. Adding nutmeg is good for the Vata imbalance. Cardamom is recommended for the Pitta imbalance, while dried ginger can be added for the Kapha imbalance.