Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
Sleep. Everybody wants it. Nobody gets enough of it. Seriously,
though. When was the last time you heard someone say “Holy sh*t, I feel
so rested!” Yeah, me either. Sleep and the feeling of rested
rejuvenation is a lost art these days. That’s a problem. Sleep is so
much more than just feeling like you can function well.
Sleep is everything.
In Ayurveda, sleep is foundational to every other thing in relation
to your body, mind, and spirit. Sleep is when your body does its
hardest, most important work. Your organs perform the vital job of
keeping your body in good functioning order. We are made up of all three
doshas (nobody is all one thing), and all three doshas are essential.
Supporting those times of the day when your doshas are doing their
particular work is helpful if you can manage it. If you can’t, that’s
okay. But please. Support your sleep. It is the foundation for all of
the other work your body does. And babes, your body does an insane
amount of work. Restoration is THE THING that you need more than quality
food, stress management, exercise, vodka, etc.
So, here are a few ways to get better sleep for all doshas (and a few others for your specific dosha type).
Bed Time: Doshas are more active during different times of the day.
In the early evening, Kapha rules. This is when your body naturally
slows down and gets cuddly. That’s also why you want to tie your
children to their beds at the stroke of 7:30 pm. Your body is smart. It
knows when it’s time to shut down.
Ideally, you want to begin winding down by 9:00. Try not to laugh too
hysterically. Do some relaxation breathing, have a rocking orgasm, read
a book, whatever. Shut down those screens, chill on the Netflix, and
put your phone away. The goal is to be snoring by 10:00 when Pitta takes
the reigns from Kapha, and your body starts doing the crucial
restorative work. Those two hours before midnight are especially
important, because that is when your body sleeps the best.
When are the doshas most active? Here you go!
Staying up past ten might give you a second wind, and that wind will
blow you to create, do housework, binge watch your shows, or fall down
the Facebook rabbit hole. While tempting, you are missing a natural
window for sleep that your body wants to crawl through. Your next window
won’t appear until 11:30 or midnight, and by that time, you are already
exhausted.
Sleep Help: So, I know what you’re thinking. “Your completely unrealistic sleep goals are cute and all. I’m willing to give it a try. But I can’t fall asleep that early, and I will wake up in the middle of the night and be awake for the day at 3:00 am.”
And you’re not wrong. It might be hard for you to fall asleep. So
here are some sleep tricks to help you get on track for falling asleep
earlier.
1. Feed your brain.
Take a spoonful of coconut oil before bed. You can even make a little
coconut oil truffle if you want to. Here is why the coconut oil works.
Your brain needs fuel, and while it is busy sorting the important stuff
(like that amazing moment you had with your partner or bestie) and
purging the unimportant things (like the 15 times you peed because you
drank your water like a badass), it’s also repairing and creating
neurological pathways. Fat fuels your brain because your brain is
primarily composed of fat. Eat what it needs, and give it a shot of oily
goodness.
2. Train your brain.
Melatonin is a fantastic way to train your brain to go to sleep. Take
a low dose of it 30 minutes before lights out. Make sure you are in
your bed when it kicks in, and don’t miss that window. Take it at the
same time every night for one week and then 1/2 that dose for another
week. Melatonin is a hormone so taking it on a regular basis can create
other sleep problems, and you don’t need that. But for the short term
resetting of your sleep clock, it’s a great tool.
3. Relax your body.
I love a glass of Natural Calm before bed. I get the one with calcium
added because I’m a woman and my babies have quite literally leached
the calcium from my bones while they grew in my womb and ate the milk my
body provided. Calcium also helps magnesium absorb in your gut and
maximizes the benefits. But be careful with your dosing. It relaxes
smooth muscle, including your intestines. Go slow and see what your body
can tolerate.
4. Wake up with the sun.
This is hard to do. However, when you’re going to bed earlier, it
doesn’t feel painful to wake up at 6:30. There is a natural calm and
creativity that is present early in the morning. And usually that
blessed silence that you crave at the end of the night.
Here are some dosha specific sleep helps:
Vata — You might have a hard time calming your mind
and body. Invest in a weighted blanket, something that will ground you. A
thermal blanket folded several times over will also do the trick if a
weighted blanket doesn’t work. If you wake up frequently during the
night, keep a little lavender essential oil next to your bed and rub a
drop over your heart. A few deep breaths, the weighted blanket, and
lavender will do wonders.
Pitta — Establish a bedtime routine. Go to bed the
same time every night and wake up about the same time every morning.
Keep your room very cool while you sleep, and be sure to avoid
electronics after 9 pm entirely. A brown noise machine, very dark room,
and soft sheers will also help you rest.
Kapha — You love sleep, but chances are you don’t
actually need a ton of it to function well. Crazy, right? And bonus, you
most likely sleep like a rock. Allow the sunlight to filter into your
room in the morning to wake you up, and avoid hitting the snooze on your
alarm. If you find that you are tired in the morning, do an
invigorating, quick-paced round of sun salutations.
Babes, GO SLOW. This is not a race. This is self-care. Self-care is
part of self discovery, so experiment with what works for your specific
needs. You and your sleep are worth it.
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