Ayurveda Article - Good SleepFor All !!

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Feeling Drowsy? Press Your Snooze Button!

 

 

Look what you lose when you lose sleep:

 

* Strength and vitality

* Some of your immunity to disease: latest research links lack of

sleep to some serious illnesses

* Your concentration -- so vital to productivity and creativity, not

to forget safe driving

* Your ability to absorb new information and retain old

* Your memory for things and people

* Your good cheer: that day long down and depressed feeling starts

when you wake up unrefreshed and lethargic

* Your ability to handle day-to-day stress

 

Now look at what you get when you sleep enough and well:

 

* Sparkling eyes and radiant complexion

* Good digestion

* Rested body

* Refreshed mind

* Enhanced energy levels

* Heightened concentration

* The enthusiasm to live to the brim the day ahead

 

Not a bad deal, considering all you have to do is lie down and close

your eyes. But obviously the world is having considerable trouble

shutting its eyes, or researchers and doctors wouldn't be quoting

alarming Sleep Debt figures all the time.

 

But then there is always some good news to offset the bad. The good

news is that people the world over are waking up to the realization

that enough good quality sleep is absolutely necessary for good

health. Another reason to smile: they are relying less on side-effect-

causing tranquilizers and sedatives. More than 50% of Americans today

are leaning toward alternative healing to address problems such as

inadequate sleep or day-to-day stress.

 

Every day, more and more people are finding rest and rejuvenation

through time-tested advice from holistic healing systems like

ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old healing tradition from India. "While

herbal formulations are at the heart of ayurveda, it offers a true

holistic approach - there are simple things you can do with your diet

and lifestyle to promote better sleep, naturally," says Rama Kant

Mishra, ayurvedic researcher, product formulator and educator.

 

Here are some tips from Mishra to promote quality sleep:

 

1. Avoid nicotine and alcohol before bed. Nicotine is a potent

stimulant, and the metabolism of alcohol has an alerting effect,

which interferes with sleep. Skip the afternoon latte if you can: the

stimulating effect of caffeine can remain for as long as 12 hours.

Keep in mind that many teas and sodas contain high caffeine levels as

well. If you need a beverage before bed, sip some milk with a pinch

of turmeric -- it's a natural tranquilizer; or try warm milk with

some rose petal preserve to cool down the mind, body and emotions.

Herbal teas with relaxing ayurvedic herbs and spices can help you

wind down before bed.

 

 

2. Create a cozy cocoon. Eliminate the clutter in your room and in

your mind, and maintain a comfortable temperature in your bedroom --

neither too hot nor too cold, and keep the room dark enough to make

your eyes feel rested. Wear comfortable clothing; cotton is

recommended.

 

 

3. Practice soothing aromatherapy. Lavender oil or a lavender sachet

on your bedside table may help you feel sleepy and more relaxed. Let

the aroma diffuse in your bedroom for a half-hour before you go to

bed.

 

4. A warm herb or aroma infused bath a couple of hours before bedtime

can have a very soothing effect. The bath will raise your

temperature, and as the body temperature gradually drops, you will

start to feel sleepy.

 

5. Because a lower body temperature is a trigger for sleep, ayurveda

recommends not exercising vigorously close to bedtime.

 

6. Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Waking up and sleeping on

time will help balance both body and mind.

 

7. Try and make your bedroom a haven of peace. Use alarm clocks only

if absolutely necessary. Even then, keep them where you can hear them

and switch them off quickly, but not see them first thing in the

morning. And do invest in a softly musical alarm clock that will wake

you but not jar you awake unpleasantly.

 

8. What you eat and the time you eat it can affect the quality of

your sleep. We have all experienced the discomfort that comes from

eating a heavy meal late at night. Ideally, your last meal of the day

should be done at least three hours before you go to bed.

 

9. A gentle massage of hands, feet and neck before bed can aid

relaxation. In bed, take long, deep, easy breaths, letting your mind

and body relax.

 

10. And finally, enjoy life! Laughter is indeed powerful medicine,

as is positive, nurturing companionship. The more stress-free your

day, the easier it will be to have blissful sleep at night.

 

Note - This ayurvedic information is education, and is not intended

to replace standard medical treatment or advice.

 

Copyright MAPI, 2001-2002

 

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