Introduction: Insomnia, often referred to as the silent epidemic of modern society, is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.
Characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, insomnia can have profound effects on an individual's physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. In this article, we will delve into the causes, effects, and management strategies for insomnia, shedding light on this often misunderstood condition.
Causes of Insomnia: Insomnia can be triggered by a myriad of factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, medical conditions, medications, poor sleep habits, and environmental factors. Stress and anxiety, in particular, are the common culprits, as the incessant rumination and worry can make it challenging to relax and fall asleep. Similarly, individuals suffering from depression may experience disrupted sleep patterns due to alterations in neurotransmitter levels and circadian rhythms. Medical conditions such as chronic pain, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders can also contribute to insomnia, as can certain medications like antidepressants, corticosteroids, and stimulants. Moreover, poor sleep hygiene practices, such as irregular sleep schedules, excessive screen time before bed, and consumption of caffeine or alcohol, can exacerbate sleep difficulties.
Effects of Insomnia: The consequences of chronic insomnia extend far beyond mere fatigue and drowsiness. Sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function, memory consolidation, and decision-making abilities, leading to decreased productivity, impaired academic or occupational performance, and an increased risk of accidents and errors. Furthermore, insomnia has been linked to numerous physical health issues, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and compromised immune function. Mental health is also profoundly impacted, with insomnia being a significant risk factor for the development of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders. Moreover, the relentless cycle of sleeplessness can exacerbate existing mental health conditions, further exacerbating symptoms and reducing overall well-being.
When the mind including sensory and motor organs is exhausted and they dissociate themselves from their objects, then the individual sleep.
We should all become aware about the presence of a sub-conscious mind, where everything, even the tiniest of your momentary thoughts can get stored forever. Our body and mind are strong enough to suppress the expressions of this sub-conscious mind when we are active. But what happens when our body takes a rest? Our sub-conscious mind attains the power to get expressed and it fights out the suppressions. This “resting phase” is what we call “Sleep” – the most gifted phenomenon for almost all organisms. What if you are not able to get a proper rest? It would become even more troublesome to sustain, as the world gets busier!
The holistic approach of ancient Indian medical scholars lit up their vision towards the importance of Sleep in the normal continuity of our daily life.
The World’s oldest systematic medical textbook – The Charak Samhita, describes about three sub-pillars of Life. They are Āhāra (food), Nidra (Sleep) and Brahmacharya (Celibacy).
Much importance is given to Sleep as it is told along with Food, without which life is impossible! This might be the reason for the increased queue for receiving Ayurvedic treatments in India and many places in the Western countries too. Being able to receive a good sleep, and that too, a Natural Sleep – without any sedative drugs will be the most sought-after therapy that anyone would love getting!
When to sleep is also properly described in Ayurveda. Sleeping at the wrong time will also cause derangements in the equilibrium of Doshās and thereby leads to diseases in the future. Sleeping is told to be an attribute of the Kapha Dosha. Kapha is one among the Three Doshās which is able to create Āvarana (coverings) around the other Doshās as well as around certain body parts. When Kapha is able to create a covering over the Manas (Mind), a person falls into sleep!
The ancient Ayurvedic researchers in India did a lot of works on Sleep. It is told that a proper sleep can provide you with Suhka (wellbeing), Pushti (Nourishment), Bala (Strength), Vrishatha (Vigour), Njānam (Concentration), and Jeevitham (a pleasant life); whereas improper Sleep will just do the opposite! Such effects are possible due to the action of sleep in determining whether to increase or to decrease the Doshās (the fundamental functional units of living body according to Ayurveda).