Managing Anidra (Sleeplessness) with the help of Ayurveda

20 Feb Managing Anidra (Sleeplessness) with the help of Ayurveda

Some facts about Sleeplessness or Anidra:

• In advanced countries like the US, close to 40 million people suffer from insomnia in some form or the other.
• Insomnia is no more restricted to the menfolk of working and productive age. It’s affecting even women and the old in a big way.
• Insomnia is no more restricted to not getting sleep. Today it includes difficulty in returning to sleep once awoken and being asleep for a reasonable length of time.
• A WHO survey as far back as 2003 brought out the fact that close to 35% of India’s working population have been affected by insomnia at some point in life or the other.

If the problem seems that big, it’s reasons could be fairly simple to understand! The most common causes of insomnia include:

• • Stress, anxiety and depression: Life in the contemporary times is full of stress which in time bring their share of anxiety and depression. Be it a student, a working person or even those who have given up things and lead a quiet,sedentary life. Stress affects everyone. Right from a simple act of crossing the road, to meeting people in varied social circumstances, stress these days is a common occurrence. When stress goes beyond the stage where it can be managed by the body, it starts to affect the body, mostly the head and the heart leading to other issues like anxiety and depression. Together, they affect one’s ability to sleep peacefully and fitfully. With less sleep, the problem of stress, anxiety and depression only get aggravated. Stress can come from jobs and work, relationships breaking down, failing or getting the feeling of being a failure
  • Change in physical environment or work schedule. Another issue which makes people lose sleep is a change in circumstances and places. Humans develop attachments for places and find comfort in them. With comfort, comes sleep and resting. Any change in places for any reason, can disturb this situation leaving the person feeling lost and anxious. The first casualty in such circumstances is sleep.
  • Medical issues. Medicines sometimes drives away sleep. Ironically, its sleep which is most needed when one undergoes any medical treatment. Feeling of uneasiness, pain, awkwardness etc also affects sleep to a great extent.
  • Bad lifestyle choices. Alcohol, tobacco and sedentary living has played havoc with people’s lives for ages but today they have gone miles ahead as people are living better and getting more facilities to “enjoy” life. The result of all these is indulgence which cannot be processed effectively by the body. Result is sleep deprivation which could be a symptom of things far worse inside.

People come to Ayurveda after trying other means like:

• Medications. Allopathy has various combinations meant to give sound sleep. The problem is that “sound sleep” in such cases does not always mean “fitful sleep”. These medicines besides having side-effects like weight gain, heart problems and other serious issues, also leaves the consumer feeling light- headed and drowsy throughout the day. With weakened immune systems due to strong and harsh medication, the human body becomes an area open to other medical problems.
• Lifestyle alterations. To cope up with the life after a round of consumption of super-strong medication, one is left without an alternative but to change lifestyles which suits one’s conditions. These are not to be mistaken with positive lifestyle changes which bring long-terms and positive changes which at the end of it, also guarantee a night of fitful and restful sleep.

Serious cases of sleep deprivation, Anidra in Ayurveda then look at the right resource. AYURVEDA. It’s been around for ages and has found solutions from the very environment one lives in. Add to that, the right lifestyles and food habits. Anidra in Ayurveda is cured by the following means:

• Knowing one’s prakriti and doshas to know how nidra or sleep is affected. In doing so a mix of Vatashamaka, Vedanashamaka and RogaNivaraka besides the right mental activity would help greatly.
• The right mix of Ahara, Vihara, and medicines including Panchkarma
• A proper and well-balanced dinacharya, ratricharya and ritucharya. It’s important to get up early, proceed at the earliest to the toilet. Next, a round of vigorous exercises which makes one sweat profusely and raises pulse rates should be attempted. This itself is guaranteed to make one feel tired later in the day so as to get good sleep. Next, a massage with herb-infused medicated oils (Abhyanga in Ayurveda) should be attempted so that the skin is rid of all toxins and muscles feel relaxed. A warm shower should follow the massage after which a nutritious (though not heavy) meal should be consumed which is rich in seasonal fruits and vegetables. Ghee should be consumed and so too other milk products which are said to induce sleep quickly.
• Activities later in the day should, to the extent possible, be stress-free, light and positive which in itself induces sleep later. Later, in the evening, the right ratricharya should be followed which includes a light meal just after sun down followed by winding down the activity with the intention of going to bed in a few hours. In the interim, one should dress in comfortable clothes which makes one feel relaxed and happy. Activities like light music, a walk after meal and general relaxation should be adhered to. The place where one sleeps should remain well-ventilated with a clean bed not too hard or soft.

Foods that as per Ayurveda induce sleep include:

• Milk
• Homemade Ghee

Panchakarmas which can induce Nidra include:

• Abhyanga
• Shiro Basti
• Shirodhara
• Shiro Lepa
• MurdhaTaila
• ChakshuTarpana
• Karna Purana
• Nasya

These apart, meditation and pranayama also help immensely. To do them the right way, attend Recova Life’s Free Practice Sessions at their Meditation Studio at Aundh.
For more details call +918380016119 or visit www.recovalife.com

Disclaimer :

This article is meant solely to provide information about remedies under Ayurveda and is not meant to be used for diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease.
Where the reader or any other person has chronic and/or dire health issues, it is advisable to consult a trained and certified medical practitioner for a complete and comprehensive diagnosis which can address the underlying issues effectively.
Recova Life and its constituents are also certified medical practitioners who can be consulted. Our numbers are +91 83800-16119 and Email ID atul@recovalife.com
With respect to the consumption of any herbs, fruits, vegetables and the likes mentioned here, it would be advisable where you consult a certified medical practitioner for his/her opinion before-hand.