RHYTHMS OF SLEEP 1B (Ayurveda & TCM Discoveries)

According to Ayurveda, sleep is not merely resting. Many critical tasks occur when we are asleep. proper sleep nourishes and revitalizes every tissue of our body, maintains physical and mental strength and enhances vitality.

When peering into the night sky, we notice the predictable changing phases of the moon each month. Our body also have a predictable daily cycle of changing phases [healthy women, like the moon, have their monthly phases]. each phase have its own unique characteristics and functions. Called doshas in Ayurveda, their names are vata, pitta and kapha. As we lay in slumber land, these three doshas take turns to renew and prepare our body to face a new day both mentally and physically. These unseen servants within our body work in four hourly shifts. The tasks they perform include neutralizing and processing toxins, replenishing energy to our different organ systems, processing memories and assimilating information.

When our routines are aligned with vata, pitta and kapha, our body will hum along smoothly and function properly.

On the other hand, the Chinese identified two hourly phases in our body. according to the Chinese, the natural vital energy [chi] that pervades the universe also courses through our body along channels called meridians. Chi circulates through the main meridians at a specific time of day and spends 2 hours in each one. Many of the meridian relates to internal organs. Therefore, if we wake up at a specific time each night, it probably indicates an organ is not functioning properly; there is imbalance with chi or an obstruction along that meridian.

Ayurveda share similar ideas. Each dosha has its own specific function. For instance, during Pitta time [10pm - 2am] There is repair and renewal of body tissues. Sleeping through Pitta time segment is most rejuvenating. In the next article, you can find out the various metabolic processes going on under ‘Chemistry of sleep’.

If you stay awake at this time, you will have a burst of energy from Pitta’s activities and feel awake until the early hours of the morning. That may sound very good if you are cramming for an exam the next day. However, a study comparing two groups of students with one group studying late into the night and another group waking up early to study found that the group that study late into the night perform more poorly than the group that studied in the early morning in the exam.

Therefore, if you want to perform well mentally, give your brain a good rest and wake up refreshed early next morning to do your cramming. Your brain can retain information and analyze much better when it is fresh and well rested.

According to TCM, the Triple Warmer or Triple Energizer meridian is active from 9 p.n. to 11 p.m. and Liver meridian is strongest at 1 a.m. Both meridians are associated with ‘fire’ or heat. Staying up at this time will cause ‘fire’ or heat to rise upwards to the head. Therefore, the following day you may get heat symptoms such as nagging headache and red tongue. In more severe cases, you may even get fever and sore throat. In Ayurveda, Pitta is associated with the fire element. It is involved in metabolic processes. The meridians active during this Pitta time segment are related to metabolism, digestion and transformation, all of which are warm processes.

unlike Western medicine, in both Ayurveda and TCM, there is no one drug fits all. There are various causes for insomnia. It depends on which organ/meridian is in disharmony. Traditional healers prescribe herbs that treat specific problems and re-establish balance in the body and mind. Other complementary methods such as massage, aromatherapy or acupuncture may form part of the treatment regime.

In TCM, good quality sleep requires *the major organic meridians systems and **the fundamental substances in the body to be healthy and balanced not only according to season, but also by day and night changes as well.

After a good night of high quality sleep, we are fully recharged in mind and body. A good night’s sleep brings many healthful benefits including mental alertness, better problem solving capability, improved immunity and it is believed, longevity. Wow! Sleep can make us live longer? Amazing! The next article will explore the numerous amazing benefits of sleep.

* energy peaked for the following major organic meridians and they are most efficient between 9pm-7am: high triple warmer, gall bladder, liver, lungs, large intestine. * *The major fundamental substances are Chi (vital energy), blood, Yin, Yang, Jing (essences/secretions: hormones, digestive juices, semen etc.) and Shen (spirit). The Triple Warmer is three regions in the body identified by the Chinese with glands and organs that produces chemicals such as hormones and enzymes etc.