Dr. Helen Thomas DC

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Do You Have Trouble Going To Sleep Or Staying Asleep?Ayurveda Deep Sleep Answers.

If you have trouble going to sleep or staying asIeep Ayurveda has relief for you?

Natural-medicine systems such as Ayurveda, say sleep is one of the important components a person needs to restore and maintain physical and mental health. New studies show that chronic sleep deprivation, which may be due to insomnia, affects the immune system and our ability to stay alert and concentrate.

Inadequate sleep may be responsible for poor productivity, irritability, and a large portion of accidents on the road, on the job, and at work. Recent research shows that it leads to chronic diseases and even premature death..

Important assessment questions are:

Do I need an alarm clock to wake up every morning? If so, you are not getting adequate sleep.

Do you wake up refreshed and energetic?

If you are, then you needn't worry about getting enough sleep. Your "insomnia" means you are trying to fall asleep too early, or get up later than your body needs you to.

However, if you do suffer from occasional insomnia, or sleep fitfully and wake up tired, Ayurvedic self-care measures and remedies can help you restore a normal sleep schedule and awaken refreshed rather than exhausted. Instead of "knocking you out," as habit-forming conventional medicines tend to do, Ayurvedic practices and remedies encourage the body to drift into a natural, restful sleep.

Insomnia is a classic sign of a nervous system imbalance .. So many undigested life experiences can cause insomnia—career projects, family relationships, financial ventures, emotional upsets . . . the list goes on ad infinitum. The key is to treat the nervous system, which is on overdrive from too much stimulation.

AYURVEDIC SELF-CARE

Adopting a Vata or Pitta Daily Lifestyle Regimen will rebalance your doshas and go a long way toward restoring a healthy sleep pattern. In addition:

  • THIS Is The MOST Important Ayurvedic Recommendation for Good Sleep:
  • The most important thing you can do to treat insomnia is to get to bed by ten P.M., every night, even on weekends. You need to establish a regular sleep pattern in order to be in sync with the chronobiology of your body cycles. Humans are preprogrammed to sleep soon after sunset and rise soon after sunrise. So if you ignore this, you are swimming against the tide of your biology, which is bound to create disturbed sleep.
  • Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages in the evening. Although they may help you fall asleep initially, a few drinks before bedtime will actually awaken you in the middle of the night.
  • Diet can have a profound effect on your ability to sleep. Eat a light supper, not later than eight P.M. Eating dairy products, beets, carrots, and squash is very helpful for inducing sleep.
  • Establish a regular exercise routine, but avoid exercise at night because it is stimulating.

Yoga Posture For Sleep

The Cobra: Lie flat on your stomach, elbows bent near your waist and palms of the hands at shoulder level on the floor. Inhale as you press down with your hands and begin to straighten your arms as you scoop your chest forward and up. Arch your lower back only as far as it can comfortably go. Move your breastbone up and out, and make sure to widen your shoulders down away from your neck, rather than scrunch your shoulders and neck into each other. Hold for as long as is comfortable, taking long, deep breaths. You may keep your gaze straight ahead, or look up, but be sure to avoid squeezing the back of your neck.

HERBAL REMEDIES

  • Mix 1 tablespoon ashwaghanda (Withania somnifera) and 1 pinch each cardamom and saffron with 1 cup hot milk.
  • Touch: Apply Brahmi oil to your forehead and navel area before retiring. (Easy to get on Amazon.)

    Do you have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep? Always remember you can never ask for too much help. Insomnia is a big sign the body is talking to you. so be careful about self-care . Bring in more help as needed.

    IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS FOR INSOMNIA

    Chronic insomnia due to physical illness or emotional imbalance requires professional evaluation and counseling. Medical care should be sought if you experience insomnia for more than 7 consecutive days or if you have a painful medical condition that is keeping you from getting a good night's rest.

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