Sleeplessness
Sleep is defined as
a state of unconsciousness from which
a person can be aroused. In this
state, the brain is relatively more
responsive to internal stimuli than
external stimuli. Sleep is essential
for the normal, healthy functioning of
the human body.
Sleeplessness is usually
associated with emotional or mental
tension, anxiety, depression, work
problems, financial stress or
unsatisfactory sex life. While
insomnia is not usually related to any
physical illness there are exceptions.
Any illness that
can cause pain or discomfort may cause
sleeplessness. The more mental energy
you consume the more sleep you will
need.
All the factors
that are responsible for aggravation
of Vayu and Pitta in the human body
result in sleeplessness. Intake of
spicy food, stimulating drinks,
exercise immediately after meals,
environmental factors like excessive
heat, cold or rain, exposure to noise
and change of environment along with
the psychic factors lead to
sleeplessness.
Lack of sleep can:
-
Make performing
even simple tasks difficult
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Impair
short-term memory, concentration
and alertness
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Increase the
chance of being in an accident
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Slow your
body's ability to fight disease
and repair tissue
You're probably not
getting the sleep you need if you:
-
Feel groggy and
lethargic in the morning
-
Feel drowsy
during the day
-
Need more than
30 minutes to fall asleep
-
Wake up
frequently during the night and
have trouble getting back to sleep
Healing Options
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Ayurvedic
Supplements
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Diet /
Lifestyle
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Depending
upon the digestive power
of the patients, he should
be given a sufficiently
nourishing diet. Heavy
food always helps to go
good sleep provided the
patient has the power to
digest the food. Buffalo
milk, butter and ghee are
considered to be very
useful. Hot and spicy food
should be avoided.
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Tips for reducing
evening agitation and nighttime
sleeplessness
-
Plan more
active days. A person who rests
most of the day is likely to be
awake at night. Discourage
afternoon napping and plan
activities, such as taking a walk,
throughout the day.
-
Monitor diet.
Restrict sweets and caffeine
consumption to the morning hours.
Serve dinner early, and offer only
a light meal before bedtime.
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Seek medical
advice. Physical ailments, such as
bladder or incontinence problems,
could be making it difficult to
sleep. Your doctor may also be
able to prescribe medication to
help the person relax at night.
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Change sleeping
arrangements. Allow the person to
sleep in a different bedroom, in a
favorite chair or wherever it’s
most comfortable. Also, keep the
room partially lit to reduce
agitation that occurs when
surroundings are dark or
unfamiliar.
Back to Ailments
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