“Lifestyle has its own rhythm in each person’s life. Waking too early or too late, irregular food habits, staying up late job stress, untimely bowel movements, and suppression of natural urges are a few habits that can unsettle a person. Regularity in sleeping, waking, eating, and elimination brings discipline and helps to maintain…overall good health.”
-Vasant Lad, MASc.
Why do we sleep? How Sleep Impacts Health
Sleep is well known to be an essential pillar of health in Ayurveda. Modern medical science is only recently discovering that it is more than a passive activity — that it is closely linked to quality of life (John Hopkins Medicine). Sleep is important for healthy brain function, learning new things, easing the symptoms of ailments and conditions, for strong immunity, preventing illness, for good mood, and for digestion! In a silly way of saying it…Sleep! What is sleep good for? Absolutely everything!
When is it best to sleep and rise?
Ayurveda observes the cycles of a day, a year, and a lifetime. These cycles have similarities… for instance, the morning, being young, early spring have similar qualities. By observing the changes in qualities over the course of a single day, it is said that the best time for sleep is before 10 P.M, and to rise before 6 A.M. This is in accordance with the energy and qualities of the day. Read more about this by checking out our Rhythm and Routine article.
What is sleep? (Where do I go when I’m sleeping?)
The sleeping “state” of consciousness is an interesting phenomena to explore in the realm of yogic philosophy, the sister science of Ayurveda. Sleeping affects the moment of perception profoundly; you are not aware of yourself sleeping while you sleep. Even in dreamless sleep, your awareness of your body and mind is totally different from what you experience while awake. Creating an inquiry toward seeking meditative states of peace, and union with ultimate reality, is a great practice. This questioning and exploration underlines the purpose of Ayurveda for maintaining a healthy body toward the purpose of liberation.
How do we sleep for optimal health?
How a person sleeps is also of note. Consider the following information about the sides one sleeps, and how it affects the three doshas, or biocharacteristics (vata, kapha, and pitta). This information is sourced from the Textbook of Ayurveda, by Vasant Lad, which is referenced at the end of the article.
“Sleeping on the left side suppresses kapha and builds pitta. The greater curvature of the stomach goes down and the lesser curvature is pressed toward the liver, creating more acid secretion. People who sleep on the left side can increase digestive fire but may have hyper activity. People who sleep on the right side can calm pitta but might induce kapha aggravation, leading to sinus congestion. Sleeping on the right side brings more spleen energy, while sleeping on the left side suppresses spleen energy and builds more liver energy. When you sleep on the right side, the stomach empties earlier, because the pyloric valve is on the right. However, the food leaving the stomach may not be fully digested. Optimally, one should wait three or more hours after a meal before going to sleep so the stomach has emptied completely.”
As you can see, the knowledge contained within the system of Ayurveda is extensive. Understanding sleep and the subtleties of organ positions affects sleeping on the right versus the left is an interesting and helpful aspect of Ayurvedic insight.
Most importantly, rest well and listen to your body. It’s incredible how a good night’s sleep can affect your brain, body, and ultimate well-being. Being healthy and happy is a blessing to the world, especially to those closest to you. Reach out to us for a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about how Ayurveda can support your healthy and happiest self!
References:
Lad, Vasant Dattatray. Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principals. Volume I. The Ayurvedic Press, 2002. Abq, NM.
“The Science of Sleep: Understanding What Happens When You Sleep.” John Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-science-of-sleep-understanding-what-happens-when-you-sleep
6/26/2024
Article by Luisa Rounds
