Ayurveda and Nidra: Sleep is a pillar of health and vitality

The pace of modern life means it’s easy to feel drained, inundated and in need of more energy. You dream of waking up bright-eyed and bushy tailed, but you find it hard to fall sleep, and when you do, you wake up multiple times or you wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed.

This is where ayurveda can help you. Nidra – or sleep – is an ayurvedic pillars of health. Soothing, restorative sleep is one of keys to health and vitality.

Understanding ayurveda and sleep

Ayurveda emphasises balance between mind, body and spirit. Unlike allopathic medicine, which focuses on disease, ayurveda’s goal is to promote overall wellness. And a core pillar of this wellness is rest – especially the quality of our sleep.

In ayurveda, deep, soothing and restorative sleep or nidra is a cornerstone of health, which is believed to restore our ojas – the subtle vital substance that fuels our physical and mental wellbeing. Here, it’s quality over quantity. More sleep is not necessarily better. Ayurveda teaches us that good quality sleep not only allows us to repair and recover from daily activities and sensory input, it also restores our vital energy, recharging us for the day ahead.

A lack of quality sleep takes its toll

Not getting enough deep, restorative sleep takes its toll. It can lead to:

• constant fatigue

• mood swings and a short fuse

• low energy

• poor concentration

• memory issues

• poor balance and coordination

• pale skin, red eyes, puffiness

• weight gain

• the depletion of your ojas

The accumulation of these effects can increase your risk of health issues. Ayurveda teaches us that quality sleep is essential to restore ojas and maintain physical, mental and emotional vitality.

Ayurveda says there are two types of sleep

In ayurveda, sleep is a time of deep powerful rejuvenation that’s divided into two types:

• Deep Sleep: The restorative sleep where the body heals, regenerates and revitalises. It promotes physical restoration, mental clarity and emotional stability.

• Light Sleep: This sleep doesn’t allow for full rejuvenation. The mind may still be active, and you may wake up several times during the night.

Getting the right amount of deep sleep is crucial

for balancing energy and maintaining overall health.

Improve your sleep with ayurveda

Here are few practical ayurvedic tips to improve your sleep quality:

• Prepare for a good night’s sleep: Avoid alcohol, caffeine and heavy meals before bed so your digestive system can rest; drink chamomile tea to help you unwind; do some gentle stretching or listen to a guided meditation to release the stress of the day and prepare your body and mind for good sleep.

  
  

• Evaluate your sleep environment: Create a peaceful sleep space by keeping your bedroom cool, dark and quiet; keep screens out of the bedroom; use calming oils, such as lavender, to help you relax.

  
  

• Remember your dosha: Your dosha plays a role in sleep too:

  • Vata: Reduce light and sound; enjoy a warm drink like a golden latte; a weighted blanket could be good, too.

  • Pitta: Give yourself time to wind down – try journalling to clear your head; take a cooling shower; open the window.

  • Kapha: Avoid lie-ins and naps; get some movement in during the day – even a little 5-minute walk helps; enjoy a warm tea, such as ginger or cinnamon.

  • For all doshas: Ayurveda teaches that we should wake up around 6 am and go to sleep around 10 pm. As much as you can, get up and go to bed at the same time every day.

Ayurveda and Nidra: Sleep is a pillar of health and vitality

Ayurveda teaches us that quality sleep is an essential pillar of health. By improving the quality of your rest, you can support your body in replenishing your ojas and restoring balance, which improves your health and vitality.

When you’re feeling exhausted, drained or lacking energy, prioritising self-care can feel out of reach. In a 1 to 1 ayurvedic consultation package, I’ll help you craft a routine that fits your current schedule and list of to-dos, so self-care doesn’t feel like yet another thing to check off – it feels like exactly what your body’s been craving, and it fits seamlessly into your life. Click here to book an ayurvedic consultation package today – let’s get you sleeping again.

This is where healing becomes sustainable