Insomnia or sleeplessness is faced by thirty percent population around the world. Insomnia robs us of not only timely peaceful sleep causing stress, weakness, headache, decreased work output but also paves the path for obesity, high blood pressure and metabolic diseases in long run. Ayurveda recognizes the significance of proper sleep naming it a pillar of life and a non suppressible urge.
A multi-faceted management of insomnia is the key to health:
· Diet: Shali rice, milk especially buffalo’s milk, wheat, ghee, meat soups, fruits with high glycemic index like grapes, mango, banana, litchi, chikoo.
· Yogic practices: Anuloma vilom pranayama, Suryanamaskara, Padmasana, Pascimottanasana, Shavasana and Yoga Nidra etc.
· Lifestyle: Bathing at bedtime, pleasant scents, soothing music, comfortable bed, regular sleep timings and a positive outlook to life.
· Yama and Niyama: Yama includes Satya (truthfulness), Ahimsa (non-violence), Brahmacharya (continence), Astyeya (non-stealing) and Aparigraha (non-coveting). Niyam includes Shaucha (physical and mental purity), Santosh (contentment), Tapas (asceticism), Svadhyaya (self study) and Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion).
· Panchkarma: Abhyanga (whole body massage) with medicated oil, samvahana (rubbing the body by hand), moordhni taila (oil massage on head), gatra udwartana (rubbing the body with medicated powder), shirodhara (dropping of linear flow of medicated oil on head).
· Medicines which may be useful (to be taken under guidance of physician): Ashwagandha, Jatamansi, Brahmi, Mandukparni, Tagara, shankhpushpi etc.
Thus lets all embrace Ayurveda to fight insomnia.
Dr Deepshikha
(niapr.patiala@gmail.com)