Guest guest Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 To anyone with knowledge, please answer this... Sometimes, certain of us have to work abnormal hours and cannot keep the sleep schedule that Ayurveda advocates. The world is not always so perfect. For instance, I am a registered nurse who takes care of sick patients and sometimes I work the "graveyard shift," i.e., from 10 PM until 7 AM. When I do work this shift, I am capable of staying awake without much of a problem, and I usually go home and can sleep for only about 4-6 hours, but when I awaken, my whole body aches as if I have the flu, and my stomach hurts and I feel quite exhausted. Is there anything you would recommend that I do to help my body adjust to this abnormal sleep cycle, other than what I already do, which is to exercise (hatha yoga/swimming and walking in the sunshine), meditate, eat a balanced diet for my Ayurvedic type (Vata-Pitta) with herbs and supplements, rest again later in the day, etc. My herbologist feels I should take more omega fats than I am taking now, along with Standard Process B vits. and liver herbs. Any other Ayurvedic suggestions? Thanks for your guidance, Juliana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Dear Juliana, This author has two RNs as patients, they are working in graveyard shifts in worse manner than yours. At least you work sometimes. For these two, it goes like this: 2 days: early morning shift 7 am to 3 pm; next two days: evening shift: 3 pm to 11 pm, next two days "graveyard shift" 11 pm to 7 am. and next two days"off" from the duty. In the graveyard shift, according to circadian rhythm of the body, (see following link to know about circadian rhythm) http://health./message/1589 what goes haywire is liver detoxification, spleen detoxification, lungs detoxification and colon detoxification. All four work on toxins received from food and air. This leaves toxins circulating in the blood; this causes body aches, sluggishness, fatigue and unease. Migraine, stiffness are also experienced sometimes. Additional symptoms due to improper detoxification can be found at: http://health.ayurveda/message/6173 where you may find almost all symptoms experienced by you. As a result, the two RNs carry out a liver detox every two months, take omega-3 suppliment every day and try to keep eyes closed unless needed during graveyard shift. And liver herbs are also taken, but in tablets form. Avoiding gluten, soft carbs, tea/coffee, fried and spicy items has also been found useful by them. To avoid drowsiness in shift, one of them tried doing yoga or few minutes during shift. Since body's internal clock can not be adjusted by us, we cant ask it to change the circadian cycle accordingto our convenience. Those who have constant graveyard shift slowly get adjusted, though there too, it is not 100% adjustment. Since these protocols differ according to individual, geography and season, best advise is to follow your herbalist. To this author he appears to be right. Wish you better sleep in 2007. ayurveda, "jai.ma" <jai.ma wrote: > For instance, I am a registered nurse who takes care of sick patients > and sometimes I work the "graveyard shift," i.e., from 10 PM until 7 > AM. When I do work this shift, I am capable of staying awake without > much of a problem, and I usually go home and can sleep for only about > 4-6 hours, but when I awaken, my whole body aches as if I have the > flu, and my stomach hurts and I feel quite exhausted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Hello I would like to add my two cents - sleep has diect impact on immune function and interested individuals a collection of references from medical literarure on my website www.yuyutsu.biz Regards Rajeev Upadhye --------------------------- www.yuyutsu.biz -------------------------- ayurveda, "jai.ma" <jai.ma wrote: > For instance, I am a registered nurse who takes care of sick patients > and sometimes I work the "graveyard shift," i.e., from 10 PM until 7 > AM. When I do work this shift, I am capable of staying awake without > much of a problem, and I usually go home and can sleep for only about > 4-6 hours, but when I awaken, my whole body aches as if I have the > flu, and my stomach hurts and I feel quite exhausted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 > Sometimes, certain of us have to work abnormal hours and cannot keep > the sleep schedule that Ayurveda advocates. The world is not always > so perfect. > > For instance, I am a registered nurse who takes care of sick patients > and sometimes I work the "graveyard shift," i.e., from 10 PM until 7 > AM. When I do work this shift, I am capable of staying awake without > much of a problem, and I usually go home and can sleep for only about > 4-6 hours, but when I awaken, my whole body aches as if I have the > flu, and my stomach hurts and I feel quite exhausted. Is there > anything you would recommend that I do to help my body adjust to this > abnormal sleep cycle, other than what I already do, which is to > exercise (hatha yoga/swimming and walking in the sunshine), meditate, > eat a balanced diet for my Ayurvedic type (Vata-Pitta) with herbs and > supplements, rest again later in the day, etc. > > My herbologist feels I should take more omega fats than I am taking > now, along with Standard Process B vits. and liver herbs. Any other > Ayurvedic suggestions? > > Thanks for your guidance, > Juliana hi juliana this is a difficult situation, and i sympathize with you essentially, your question is how can you sustain an imbalanced lifestyle? ayurveda of course recommends sleep during the time which you are working, and derivations from this are what is called a prajnaparadha - crime against wisdom - and thus what can we do to reverse the entropy of this lifestyle choice? perhaps only ameliorate, but not eliminate.... you are probably not getting enough sleep to start with, and then what you are getting is poor quality because it lies in direct opposition to the natural circadian cycles to which your body wants to respond its hard to make any specific recommendation without knowing more about your history or see you in person i think the bvitamins are a good idea - probably best taken after awakening and/or before work i would also take liberal doses of vitamin c with this as well, as both the bs and c are required to support the adrenals something in the range of 200 mg bcmplex and 2 g of vitamin c to support the adrenals ashwagandha and licorice may be helpful, and to treat the poor digestion and flu-like symptoms you can add some spicy herbs like ginger and cardamom: 1 tsp ashwagandha 1/2 tsp licorice 1/4 tsp dry ginger 1/4 tsp cardamom traditionally something like this was decocted in milk, but you can also make a tea from this, strain, cool, and mix with 1 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp ghee there are other herbs that might be of benefit as well, but without actually seeing you as a pt i am not sure i can offer anything more specific i wonder also if you might try to get to bed much later, like around 3-4 pm during the vata time of day, and sleep until its time to get up for work - at least this is a little closer to following the natural cycle, of sleeping when the energy of the sun's influence begins to wane, as opposed to trying to sleep when the sun's energy is in its ascendancy in the morning... i would be interested to hear what other practitioners might consider in such a situation, or if you find something that really works for you, because this is an all too common problem best.. todd Caldecott todd (AT) toddcaldecott (DOT) com www.toddcaldecott.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Dear Shirish, Thank you for your reply. When I was in my 20's and 30's, I worked five consecutive midnight shifts every week as a surgical team leader in a Level I trauma center in San Diego, CA. Not only were my organ systems being taxed from the disruption of my circadian rhythms, but my adrenals were working overtime under the intense pressure of emergency surgeries. Now I am older and more sensible and have only recently gone back to two or three "mignight shifts" a week (10 PM until 7 AM), and I enjoy working during daytime hours in my private healing practice the rest of the week. But thanks so much for the good information. This is all quite helpful and explains a lot about why my body aches and why I have developed mysterious respiratory allergies since I started back on this shift. One last question please...Is there a particular liver detox that you or other members prefer over others? I have tried a few but would like to know your opinion, if you do not mind sharing this, as well. Many thanks for so generously offering your time and advice, and I wish you and all members of this forum a very happy new year, Juliana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2007 Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 Lifestyle changes are usually more difficult to implement than herbal supports, etc., and yet, this is one of the hallmarks of holistic medicine: addressing the roots of the disorder. The difficult question to ask is, "What are my priorities?" If I am putting my health and balance as a top priority, then I can look at my other options for how I can do my work, serve, and earn an income in a way that will not hurt my health. Imbalances are Nature's way of letting us know that we are living out of harmony. They're an invitation to make important changes in our lifestyle. In Health and Joy, Jacob Griscom, CAS Teaching Faculty/Master Teacher: California College of Ayurveda Owner: Peaceful Living Holistic Healthcare Center Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2007 Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 Hi Thanks for sharing your wise recommendations. Though I believe you have said this well, that "Ayurveda of course recommends sleep during the time which you are working, and derivations from this are what is called a prajnaparadha - crime against wisdom - and thus what can we do to reverse the entropy of this lifestyle choice? perhaps only ameliorate, but not eliminate...", I also trust that for those of us who care for the sick and infirm through the night, our "crime against wisdom" is somehow transmuted to something quite the opposite of a "crime" because of our compassionate intention and action. Actually, I do get really great sleep when I am not working at night so that is certainly not the issue. After working from 10 PM to 7:30 AM in a very stressful hospital environment, I am falling asleep standing up by 8 AM and am so exhausted. I usually sleep 3-4 hours and then get up to go outside and walk in the light and do my day, and then I sleep again from early in the evening until 9 PM. Fortunately, I only do this shift twice a week. This matter that I have brought to you is a common concern that must be addressed by health practitioners, because we do not live in an ideal world. Thanks again, Juliana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 I would like to add that sleep is best in a completely dark room. GB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Dear Jacob, This is all well and good, but if you or your loved ones were sick or injured, would you not want to have adequate nursing support at all hours of day and night? Or would it be better to say to the sick and injured, "Sorry, but our priorities are for a pure Ayurvedic lifestyle only. Take care of yourself." I am sorry and do not mean to be disrespectful, but realistically, some of us have chosen more mainstream careers that do actually require working in the middle of the night, and the work of caring for sick and helpless people is something that should not be undervalued. I work in a psychiatric hospital and the patients need nursing support at all times of the day and night. I see my work as a nurse on the night shift as a form of sacrifice and seva, not an imbalance of nature. Best, JS ayurveda, "Jacob Griscom" <jacob wrote: > The difficult question to ask is, "What are my priorities?" If I am putting > my health and balance as a top priority, then I can look at my other options > for how I can do my work, serve, and earn an income in a way that will not > hurt my health. Imbalances are Nature's way of letting us know that we are > living out of harmony. They're an invitation to make important changes in > our lifestyle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 > Thanks for sharing your wise recommendations. > > Though I believe you have said this well, that "Ayurveda of course > recommends sleep during the time which you are working, and > derivations from this are what is called a prajnaparadha - crime > against wisdom - and thus what can we do to reverse the entropy of > this lifestyle choice? perhaps only ameliorate, but not > eliminate...", I also trust that for those of us who care for the > sick and infirm through the night, our "crime against wisdom" is > somehow transmuted to something quite the opposite of a "crime" > because of our compassionate intention and action. hi juliana please don't misread my comments the "crime" (paraadha) is against wisdom (prajna) only - no other person or being is harmed and as such there are no other ethical issues involved other than your health the issue of sleeping during the day is much discussed in ayurveda, and generally speaking it is to be avoided because it runs counter to the natural rhythm of nature when we stay up at night and sleep during the day it messes up our metabolism - agni is weakened, kapha/ama accumulates and vata gets disturbed however, a number of exceptions can be made, in pregnancy, among infants and young children, and in the old and infirm - reasons for each are given, but in the case of otherwise normal healthy adults day sleep is avoided i understand your predicament, and my comments aren't meant to judge you for your choices other than the general fact that trying to accommodate something that goes against nature isn't really where ayurveda is coming from, and thus there is no real treatment for it per se dr bhate mentioned detoxification, and i think this is one important factor to consider, simply because the lack of night sleep + day sleep promotes the retention of toxins, which of course is made worse if you use any of the typical things used to cope with such stressors, such as tobacco, coffee and sugar - if you avoid these then you are doing well you might consider taking a cleansing product such as triphala on a regular basis, and then between winter and spring, and summer and fall, go on a 2 week detoxification program, taking time of off work, eating well, and taking some herbs and supplements to support detoxfication - your herbalist i am sure could help you with this what i recommended was a herbal formula to support your adrenals - herbs like ashwagandha are also known as "adpatogens" - they help us cope and adapt to stress the term was originally coined by russian researchers experimenting with siberian ginseng, who fed it to one group of mice and not the other, and then had each group challenged with the cold water swimming test, which simply means dropping the mouse into the water and timing how long it can swim before it expires - a cruel horrible test no doubt, a "crime against wisdom", but it was consistently found that the mice that had taken the siberian ginseng could swim much longer of course any herbalist could have told the researchers this before they subjected the mice to such cruel and unusual punishment, that unfortunately is the state of science many other adaptogens exist - even triphala itself is an adaptogen; others include indian herbs such as shatavari, punarnava and brahmi, as well as non-indian herbs such as the ginsengs, milky oat seed, schizandra, astragalus, rhodiola etc etc i added the licorice because it also is an adaptogen and soothes gut irritation (you said your stomach was sore), and ginger and cardamom because they gently restore digestion and help with the metabolism of the herbs all in all its really just a band-aid until you can hopefully find some other work, or get better shifts best regards... todd Caldecott todd (AT) toddcaldecott (DOT) com www.toddcaldecott.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Dear Lisa, The point raised by you is relevant in the filed of health care profession. Apart from this, author comes across several who work as security guards, operators who keep the systems such as water supply to city, electricity generation, suburban train operation, air traffic controllers etc etc. Someone surveyed Mumbai population sample and concluded that Mumbai never sleeps, and in fact 15% population compensates for missed sleep during day time. Most of Vata-Pitta vikruti people appear to fall in the class where body clock out-of-whack. These services are being carried out when the whole world is peacfully sleeping in ayurvedic style. if the people who contribute or create this kind of comfort, if they go on one day strike, metro would not get water, electricity, milk, fresh vegetables, public transport etc. And with today's law and order probloems, we need a security guard throughout the night in ladies coaches in suburban trains in Mumbai. Though ideal lifestyle is recommended, many in society cant have it, since it is profession specific hazzard. If a driver refuses to drive a public bus, or policeman refuses to control traffic at busy junction giving "pollution health hazzard" as the reason, society cant survive in modern style. we have to march backwards at least one thousand years, when no industry existed. That would be an ideal situation where health professionals and psychiatry doctors can be retired! ayurveda, "jai.ma" <jai.ma wrote: > This is all well and good, but if you or your loved ones were sick or > injured, would you not want to have adequate nursing support at all > hours of day and night? Or would it be better to say to the sick and > injured, "Sorry, but our priorities are for a pure Ayurvedic > lifestyle only. Take care of yourself." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Dear JS Our work IS seva - only because we are in the midst of that *requirement* if you like - but if we had the option to keep the patients healthy and to do away with sickness whether physical mental or emotional, we would, wouldn't we. We are often more than aware that the diseases around us are created by patient and physician as a good team to place karmically everyone exactly where they belong, we do not have to choose to be where we are - we can opt for happier patients, maternity for example, but we are compelled to stay where we are, doing the most good we can and doubtless at some level healing and completing the needs of our own souls. Love Jane ___________________ This is all well and good, but if you or your loved ones were sick or injured, would you not want to have adequate nursing support at all hours of day and night? Or would it be better to say to the sick and injured, "Sorry, but our priorities are for a pure Ayurvedic lifestyle only. Take care of yourself." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Hi JS, Thank you for your comments. I have certainly noted that our service and personal growth do not always contribute to our physical health, and yet we do it anyways because we often value something enough that we are willing to give other things up. Heck, I've got kids! When a firefighter runs into a burning building to save someone, he certainly doesn't do it to improve the health of his lungs. The person he saves is immensely fortunate and grateful, and the firefighter probably experiences deep meaning and purpose in his work. To him, that is more important than the health of his lungs, but it doesn't make smoke any better for his lungs. Likewise, myself and many others have been very grateful to nurses on the night shift, and still that does not change the effects of their sleep routine on their health. There is not a moralistic judgement when I say "we choose our priorities," only the results. I hope that clarifies my intent, and I feel empathy for your challenge. In Health and Joy, Jacob Griscom, CAS Teaching Faculty/Master Teacher: California College of Ayurveda Owner: Peaceful Living Holistic Healthcare Center ___________________ Dear Jacob, This is all well and good, but if you or your loved ones were sick or injured, would you not want to have adequate nursing support at all hours of day and night? Or would it be better to say to the sick and injured, "Sorry, but our priorities are for a pure Ayurvedic lifestyle only. Take care of yourself." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 .. Sir, Sleep of 6 hrs is enough for adults , Please take oil massage weekly onces with any medicated oil which are specially made for hair and body and heat for an hour then take bath. This help to keep your body , mind, & soul rejuvanate. By this way you will get normal sleep. For details: Dr. S. Ananthanarayan, (Chief Consultant Physican) Santhigiri Ayurveda & Siddha Vaidyasala, No. 1458, H Block, 16th Street, 16th Main Road, Annanagar West, Chennai 600 040. Ph No. 044 32914322, 26160340, 26160441. www.ayurvedasanthigiri.com, www.santhigiriashram.org ayurveda, "jai.ma" <jai.ma wrote: > When I do work this shift, I am capable of staying awake without > much of a problem, and I usually go home and can sleep for only about > 4-6 hours, but when I awaken, my whole body aches as if I have the > flu, and my stomach hurts and I feel quite exhausted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2007 Report Share Posted January 5, 2007 Sir, I might add that you ensure that you do not drink a lot of coffee on the shift - drink water. I feel you may be dehydrated. Dehydration causes body ache and the coffee could certainly cause stomach upset. Before sleeping take a nice hot shower if possible and do a bit of deep breathing to relax the body and mind and go to bed . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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