What does Ayurveda say about insomnia?
We all know how important a good night's sleep is for our mental and physical health. And we've all experienced those nights where for one reason or another, we just can't seem to shut off our thoughts and go to sleep. Web Md defines insomnia as, "a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling, and/or staying asleep."
Ayurveda sees everything in the world as a combination of elements (think of the periodic table you had to memorize in high school). Every element has a set of qualities that are grouped into one of three doshas. Everything in the physical world is a combination of the elements, and therefore the doshas. This includes us. And when the elements become imbalanced within us, we suffer from a number of ailments, one of them being insomnia.
Every person on the planet is a unique combination of the 3 doshas. Some of us are naturally stronger in one of the 3 doshas. To figure out what your dosha is check out banyanbotanicals.com to take their free dosha quiz, or sign up for my Yoga Fit and Flow program at www.ayurvedacoach.org. It is a 6-week program that infuses the physical exercise of yoga sequences with a foundation of its sister science, Ayurveda.
Insomnia is caused by one of 2 dosha imbalances, either a vata imbalance or a pitta imbalance.
If you are a predominantly vata person, your sleep pattern is often irregular and light. You do fall into a deep sleep when you are exhausted. You tend to grind your teeth at night and are more prone to sleep walking and talking in your sleep. Your dreams are spacious and have a lot of movement, such as flying or being chased.
If you are suffering from a Vata type insomnia, you wake up in the middle of the night and are unable to go back to sleep. You end up laying in bed with a million different racing thoughts going through your brain and just can't seem to shut them off.It can be very frustrating, especially when you look at the clock on your nightstand and watch the time tick away. Your thoughts make no sense, and are completely random. One second your worrying about the PTA mom who gave you a dirty look in the parking lot, to whether or not you've done a good job hiring a capable baby sitter, and how much to pay her, to how you'd react in the event of a zombie apocalypse. It's insanity!I know, because I've been there.
If you are a predominantly Pitta person, you often have problems falling asleep because you are too busy planning for the next day. Pitta people are natural planners. They can be night owls. They will easily forego a nights sleep when they are up against a deadline, because they can't seem to stop strategizing.
Their dreams tend to match their fiery and passionate personalities. Their dreams are full of action, and can be very vivid. Pittas also run a high body temperature. They like to sleep with the fan on them, because they sweat in bed, and often kick off the covers.
If either of these sounds like you, there are plenty of natural remedies to help you get the sleep that you need. But they do require a certain level of discipline. Now this is where most people fail. It is always easier to pop a pill then it is to cure yourself by changing your lifestyle. Keep in mind that insomnia can be a combination of Vata and Pitta imbalances. But changing up your habits can result in a great nights sleep.
1. Sticking to a daily routine. Honoring the biological rhythms of our bodies along with the rhythms of nature helps to counteract the fast paced energy of vata and the aggressive energy of pitta. Our lives are currently governed by the ever increasing demands of society that forces us to always be on the go...go...go...and always feel like we must compete aggressively in order to get ahead. By establishing a daily routine, we counteract those forces by grounding our own energy.
2. Take a bath before bed. Use warm water for vata and cool water for pitta.
3. Massage your feet and/or your head with oil. Use almond or sesame oil for vata and coconut oil for pitta.
4. Avoid stimulants like caffeine and sugar. Both of these have elements that stimulate vata and pitta energies.
5. Keep in mind that the bedroom is for sleep...not TV, not work, not studying, not reading. Quit all of that at least an hour before bedtime.
6. If you have vata insomnia, look into and research the herbs ashwaghanda and Valerian root.
7. If you have pitta insomnia, try drinking a cup of chamomile or lavender tea before bed. Also look into and research avipattikar powder.
As always, check with your doctor before taking any herbs or supplements.