Sleep Right for Good Health

by Sheela Rani Chunkath

I hear the jet-setting world talk how New York never sleeps or how you can get a drink in California anytime you want. Weekend parties go on into the wee hours of the morning and investment bankers and consultants probably never sleep at all. Sleep is definitely a casualty these days especially when many of the IT business is geared to the time zones of countries where it is morning when it is night here. Of the three important elements that influence your health, sleep is the one that most young people ignore. I know of a young doctor who died very young and I am convinced that it was the punishing schedule that he had as an intern (in US) that triggered the cancer that ultimately killed him. A very sincere doctor he often used to go 36-48 hours without sleep only to collapse into bed later. You cannot make up such huge sleep deficits. And it is for a reason that the sun sets and nature slows down and asks you to do the same. Following the circadian rythms is important. Many youngsters now are awake either working or watching stuff on the internet. Options available are plenty from memories, to new TV series, to google; you can have your pick of nonstop entertainment either free or a for a pittance. So dear readers do caution the youngsters in your family about sleepless nights.

Seven to eight hours of sleep every night is crucial for good health. Day sleep is not good for health as it increase kapha, when you get up after an afternoon snooze you will often get up with a heavy head which is a sign of increased kapha. Our acharayas were so particular about sleep that they even gave a formula for getting enough sleep. One is supposed to get up during Brahma Muhurtam, that is one and a half hour before sunrise. Now if you go to bed late by one hour they say in order to make up the sleep you lost you need to wake up two hours later. There are so many clubs and organizatios but I am yet come across a Brahma Muhurtam club - a club of people who get up during Brahma Muhurtam. It would perhaps be a good idea to start one and enjoy the positive energies of a world waking up. To get up during Brahma Muhurtam, you first need to sleep well and many seriously complain that they are unable to sleep well. For those insomniacs there is a simple ayurvedic remedy. Mix together 50 grams of Yashti churanam (Glycyrrhiza glabra) with 50 grams of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and 25 grams of Vacha (Acorus calamus). Half to one teaspoon of the mixture at bedtime with warm milk is recommended by one vaidyar. The three herbs together work on various systems of our body and induces a more natural beneficial sleep for our system.

Glycyrrhiza glabra pacifies vata and pitta, both of which get aggravated due to impossible deadlines and stress which affect the quality of sleep. It relieves tiredness and exhaustion and improves the working of almost all body systems. Yashti is perhaps Charaka's favorite herb as he has mentioned it the most number of times compared to any other herb in his ganas. Withania somnifera, as its name suggests is sleep inducing. Our Siddhas knew it at least 2000 years ago and it is now validated by western research, that Withania contains trielhylene glycol which is an active sleep inducing component. Acorus calamus is a medhya drug, a brain tonic which strengthens the nervous system and helps you sleep while simultaneously rejuvenating the brain and perhaps preventing Alzheimer's disease and senility. Factoring in good sleep is key to good health. 

--- The writer is retired Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/