Ayurvedic Sleep Types

Allopathic medicine is a system used to treat symptoms and diseases predominantly using drugs. Of course, I understand drugs do save lives, but they are also given when they are not really needed.

More than 10 million prescriptions for sleeping pills are given each year in England, but medication only offers short-term relief.

Whenever you go to the doctor, you usually come out with a prescription rather than a strategy to treat the root cause of a problem.

Many clients who come to me, initially, have been prescribed anti-depressants and/or sleeping pills which they become subsequently reliant on.

I find this very frustrating because it takes a long time for the person to come off these drugs.

These drugs are very often not needed if a deeper inquiry would have been done into the cause of the sleep problem.

Sleepology is different. It’s based on the ancient and hugely undervalued science of Ayurveda.

Unfortunately, Ayurveda lost its prominence in the medical world because the British Raj closed down all the Ayurvedic hospitals and banned Ayurveda during their rule in India between 1858 and 1947.

They saw Ayurveda as old-fashioned and ‘woowoo’. That was a great shame when it’s based on purely common sense.

When India reclaimed its independence, Ayurveda was reinstated. However, many people still have not heard of Ayurveda, or know what it is.

Ayurveda sees everyone as an individual with slightly different characteristics. What works for one person, may well not work for another. Just like one type of diet does not suit everyone.

On this basis, Ayurvedic medical science treats the person rather than the symptom.

Ayurvedic Sleep Types need to be taken into consideration when treating a sleep issue

Ayurveda looks at the person as a whole to find the cause of a sleep issue, rather than just looking at the sleep issue.

Ayurveda will look at every aspect of the person’s life, from the time they were in the womb, to the current day in order to build a picture of how they actually developed the sleep issue.

The symptom is simply a manifestation of continued imbalances in that person’s constitution.

In Sleepology, the sleep types correspond to the Ayurvedic sleep types.

Sensitive Sleepers correspond to the Vata constitutional type

Vata relates to movement and change. People with the predominance of Vata in their nature tend to be thin, and light and usually feel the cold. They are also very quick in thought and action.  Change is a constant part of their life. When Vata is balanced, it generates creativity, enthusiasm, and liveliness.  If Vata becomes out of balance, it creates anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, and irregular digestion.

Variable Sleepers correspond to the Pitta constitutional type

Pitta relates to transformation and fire. Pitta is represented in the digestion of ideas, sensory experiences, emotions, and food.  People with a predominance of Pitta in their nature tend to be muscular, smart, and determined. If balanced, Pitta supports warmth, intelligence, and good leadership. If out of balance, Pitta characters become critical, irritable, and aggressive.

Good Sleepers correspond to the Kapha constitutional type

Kapha relates to protection, nourishment, and stability.  People with the predominance of Kapha in their nature tend to have a heavier frame, and they think and move more leisurely. They are usually very dependable and stable. When balanced Kapha types are calm, kind, and loyal.  When out of balance, Kapha types can gain weight, become very congested and resistant to healthy change. They can also sleep too much!

It’s very useful to understand what your sleep type is so that you can start understanding what you need as an individual to support good sleep.

Most people are a combination of the types and a proper analysis needs to be done, but taking the quiz below will give you an idea of your sleep type and give you some lifestyle tips to help you get a better nights sleep.

Click here to go to the quiz

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