Sleep – Chirag Patel May 02, 2010
Does this word bring calmness to your mind? Isn’t it the most beautiful activity of a life form? True, there are many physiological activities that are more complex and more charming. But, sleep is so simple activity still very very mysterious activity of life. We, humans, spend 33% of our life sleeping. Well, almost 33%.
What happens during sleep is recorded on videos. That is actually what activities our physical body performs during sleep. But, what happens to you? I mean, what happens to your awareness during that period? Scientists have spent lots and lots of time getting this mystery solved. They know a very little about this state.
Every human needs sound sleep to get recharged everyday. Sound sleep is necessary for good body, good mind and good awareness. You can pay better attention in whatever you do thru’out the day. Now, hours of sleep needed per day vary per individual. This duration also can change per situation. Usually, child needs 10 hours of sleep everyday; and adult needs 8 hours of sleep everyday. As you grow older, you might be happy with 6 hours of sleep. You must find out correct number of sleep hours for yourself and sleep accordingly.
The sleeping period also varies among people. When you were very young, you went to bed at 8pm and got up at 5.30am. As you grew up, your sleeping period moved to later time at night. Your getting up time also moved to late morning. So, you must decide your sleeping pattern and should try to avoid disturbing it.
If you observe birds and animals and try to know how they sleep, you will find that they follow sunlight. At dusk, they go back to their home and sleep, and at dawn, they wake up and leave their home in search of food for the rest of the day. Alas, man could follow this natural behavior. I will be happy if you do not wake up till late night and you sleep till late morning.
In Indian customs, a man gets up before sunrise and get ready to welcome the sun. He must be doing prayer when sun rises. I tried to follow this custom. If you offer “ardhya” (homage) by pouring water from a “jhaari” (copper glass) by holding it in two hands over head. You must be facing sun while doing this. Slowly pour water as if you are bathing sun and chant “gaayatri mantra” (OM bhur bhuvah svaha OM tat saviturvareNyam bhargo devasya dhi mahi dhi yo yo nah prachodayaat OM) or “OM hrim suryaaya namah”. “gaayatri mantra” simply means “O Lord Surya, you enlighten all three worlds, please bathe my intellect with your rays and purify it”.
Back to sleep (pun intended), out of usual 8 hours of sleep, we have just 15 minutes of real sleep. For those 15 minutes, we spend the rest 7 hours and 45 minutes! It is not like you will need only 15 minutes for sleep. You need all 8 hours! And these 8 hours must be comfortable, peaceful and sound. Please, remember following tips for good sleep:
· Keep 3 hours gap between dinner and sleep.
· Avoid drinking water or liquid before sleeping.
· Avoid caffeine drinks before sleep, e.g. tea, coffee etc.
· Do not take alcoholic beverages and avoid smoking.
· 15 minutes nap in the afternoon many times helps recharging you for the rest of the day.
· Avoid afternoon sleep.
· Wear loose clothes during sleep.
· Have proper ventilation in bedroom.
· Make bedroom free from stray light and sound.
· Use yellow lights in bedroom.
· Never keep TV in bedroom.
· Play Indian classical music with low volume when you go to bed.
· Play spiritual music when you wake up in the morning.
· Your bed must be comfortable and with somewhat hard surface.
· Wash your feet with cold water if you do not feel comfortable in sleep.
· Use fresh mint leaves to make bedroom free from mosquitoes.
· Do not use artificial fragrances (aroma theory or whatever).
· Keep water filled pot next to heating duct in order to avoid discomfort during sleep.
· Vicks vaporub seems effective when you apply it to your forehead, chest and throat if you have cold.
· Neti i.e. rinsing nostrils with warm water with pinch of salt, is very very effective in controlling cold or allergy. The process of neti is like pouring water from one nostril and passing it out from the other nostril.
· Keep a fresh soap next to your feet during sleep if you feel fatigue in the morning.
· Remember MAA before going to sleep and after waking up. Pray to her and wish MAA’s eternal companionship.
· You can create habit of reading 2-3 pages everyday before sleeping. Spiritual reading is best for this time.
· You can prefer to chant a mantra when you go to sleep.
· Thank MAA just before sleep for everything she did to you.
· You should sleep in sides – left or right. There is old saying in India, which implies that person sleeping on back is sick, person sleeping on chest has bad luck, person sleeping on left side is a common man, and person sleeping on right side is a “yogi”.
· Also remember not to cover your face while sleeping.
· If you feel restless legs at night, unwrap new soap bar and put it between the legs while sleeping. Amazingly enough, you will feel much better everyday whatever the reason might be!
Already sleeping?
