Night Sleep

Treat insomnia with Ayurvedic day and night sleep patterns

Our body requires daily rest and relaxation by sleeping. "Sleep" is the natural recurring state of body & mind that regulates consciousness, sensory, and muscular activity. A good sleep depends on the balanced Tridoshas. Ayurveda categorizes a day into two 12 hour cycles. Both phases are in accordance with the sunrise and the sunset timings. Each phase is further subdivided into three equal periods pertaining to our Tridoshas - Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire) and Kapha (Water) as given below:

Daytime Kapha (water) cycle:This cycle initiates with the Kapha phase at 6 AM and ends at 10 AM. During this period, cortisol levels reach their maximum. This period is considered to be the most effective to perform physical activities/labor as the muscles are in their strongest state.

Daytime Pitta (fire) cycle:This cycle starts at 10 AM and ends at 2 PM. In this time period, when the sun is directly above our heads, Pitta is the strongest. Our digestive fires are in the most aggravated state. Hence, heavier dietary intake is usually recommended.

Daytime Vata (air) cycle: This cycle begins at 2 PM and ends at 6 PM. During this time of the day, the Vata Dosha predominates which is associated with neural functions. The high amounts of energy are required for the activation of the nervous system. Hence, it is necessary to have a proper diet in the preceding cycle. Towards the end of this cycle, the cortisol levels decline & our body demands a period of stillness, appropriate for meditation.

After the completion of Ayurvedic day cycle, the night time cycle initiates

Night time Kapha (water) cycle: This cycle begins at 6 PM and ends at 10 PM. During this time, the melatonin levels start rising in our body. The decreased cortisol and adrenaline prepare us for sleep. Ayurveda recommends that during night time Kapha cycle, we should avoid eating late and eating heavy as the digestive fire is not there in a sufficient amount. Exercises are generally not recommended during night cycle as it may result in impaired sleep. Ayurveda favors going to sleep towards the end of this cycle.

Night time Pitta (fire) cycle: The Ayurvedic night cycle continues with the Pitta aggravation from 10 PM to 2 AM. Due to the aggravated nature of the Pitta principle, the mind can be kept stimulated to keep you awake and hence you become sleep deprived. Special care is taken for the dietary intake timings as early eating corresponds to digesting the food in time. It is recommended to go to sleep before entering night time Pitta cycle i.e. before 10 PM.

Night time Vata (air) cycle: This cycle begins at 2 AM end ends at 6 AM. Melatonin is at its peak level. In a regular sleep cycle when the person goes to sleep before the completion of night time Kapha cycle i.e. 10 PM, it is quite evident that the person will wake up naturally before the termination of the night time Vata cycle. This is an ideal sleep pattern.