by Anay Abreu, Ayurvedic Specialist
We should always be mindful of two things that enter our body: What we eat and what we expose our minds to.
Nighttime is specifically influenced by Kapha Dosha, because of coolant nature of the Moon. Hence, our sleep is especially influenced by Kapha Dosha. This means that people with a predominant Kapha doshic constitutions tend to sleep more.
As a master of Ayurveda explains, “The pleasure and sorrow, or nourishment and mal-nourishment, strength and loss of strength, libido and poor sexual virility, good intellect and poor memory, pleasure and sorrowful living depend upon proper and improper sleep of an individual, respectively.”
According to Ayurvedic classical literature, the mind gets exhausted due to continuous work, stressors, pressures, fears, pleasures, etc. If the mind is affected by any of these or other issues, it cannot effectively address its functions which includes directly influencing our sleep.
According to Western, contemporary science, the process of sleep includes the necessary interactions between the pineal gland, the brain’s increase of Melatonin, and the responsive reactions by the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems which cause us to enter the human sleep cycle which is a 90-minute cycle repeated over the course of an ideal 8-hour sleep period.
Sleep is as much of a necessity as it is a natural urge. It should not be suppressed. If it is, the subsequent consequences include yawning, body ache, drowsiness, headache, heaviness of the eyes, etc.
Effect of Dosha on Sleep
Though Kapha is the predominant Dosha during night, if you divide the night hours into three parts, each part is dominated by one Dosha each.
Part I: Around 9 PM – 12 Midnight is dominated by Kapha Dosha.
Part II: Midnight to around 3:30 AM is dominated by Pitta Dosha.
Part III: Between 3:30 – 6 AM is dominated by Vata Dosha.
Therefore, it is highly suggested to go sleep well no later than 10:30 PM, as Kapha is dominant and it is directly related to sleep.
If you delay going to bed beyond 12 AM, Pitta Dosha is dominant. Not only will sleeping will be difficult, but it can also be uncomfortable. Long term repercussions include, being more prone to headaches, early graying of hair, and increasing the possibility of skin related ailments or diseases.
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is directly related to increasing anxiety, promoting confusion, depletion of body tissues, lowering of one’s immune system, increased difficulty in problem-solving and decision making, irritability, a distorted expression of euphoria, it is associated with weight gain, depressive symptoms, digestive and neurological issues, reduced libido, memory loss, reduced longevity, just to name a few.
To encourage better sleep, these best practices should be sincerely considered not only for the length of your detox program, but for the rest of your life if you are seeking better health and quality.
- Soak your feet in the evening in salt water while sitting and resting for 15 minutes. Dispose carefully in the toilet.
- Place your cellphone, computer, and electronic devices outside your bedroom during the cleanse. If not possible, place it away from your bed or nightstand (all electronic devices such as those mentioned increase Vata Dosha which has the opposite qualities of Kapha making a good night’s sleep far more difficult to enjoy).
- Apply Sesame oil on the crown of your head, temples, belly button, palms and soles of your feet before bed. This will help you with grounding and especially stabilize the areas where energy dissipates. It will also help to induce sleep.
- Listen to Hertz frequency recordings which helps induce sleep. Here are two examples: https://www.youtube.com/live/07aUA1-KH58?feature=shared https://youtu.be/yHcgm7RkCUQ?feature=shared
- Practice abdominal breathing at least five minutes before bed. See video for guidance.
- If you are used to looking at your phone before closing your eyes for bed (not a good practice), put on a soft, eye mask. For melatonin to be secreted from the pineal gland, the eye needs to register a significant decrease in light. Your room should be dark.
- If you use air conditioning, ensure it is at a comfortable temperature, reduce noise, ensure sheets are clean, and if a pillow is utilized, that it is comfortable.
Ground yourself regularly. Try to walk bare footed on a grass lawn or beach sea sand or park or moist ground at least for 1 hour at least once a week.
Place near you a personal representation of the divine (photo, statue, icon, painting); whether on your nightstand, wall, dresser, etc. The intent behind this practice is to remind oneself of the divine presence whether we are awake or asleep – and to know we are not alone, but one with divinity at all times.
Make a chi ball or at with your hands in the namaskar position and power intention of being able to sleep. Visualize that power throughout your entire body.
