A Critical Review on Nidra( Sleep) in Ayurved...

A Critical Review on Nidra( Sleep) in Ayurveda and its Modern Perspective

Author Name : Dr. Anupam Singh

ABSTRACT

In a world full of worries and stress, a person struggles to find relaxation, physically as well as mentally, which can be ultimately achieved through timely sleep . In Ayurveda happiness, misery, nourishment, emaciation, strength, weakness, sterility, virility as knowledge, ignorance, life and death, all are dependent upon proper or improper sleep. Henceforth it is considered to be an important pillar among tryopstambh(three pillars of life). Proper and timely sleep not only nourishes the body but also prevents numerous health problems. In Ayurveda the phenomenon of sleep is elaborated very deeply, which includes types of sleep, physiology of sleep, diseases produced due to improper sleep, measures to overcome sleeplessness. As per contemporary science, sleep is a state of altered consciousness, which leads to decreased response to external stimuli and reduced body movements. Problems related to sleep like insomnia, hypersomnia, narcolepsy, somnambulism and sleep apnea are riding rampantly due to bizarre lifestyle of current generation, and also the excessive use of Android devicesis the major culprit behind disturbance in the normal biological clock. Ayurveda provides a holistic approach towards these problem, and also by following the basics of Ayurveda it’s easier to maintain the circadian rhythm.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Circadian rhythm, Sleeplessness, Tryopstambh