Conceptual study of significance of Nidra on health

Sleep or Nidra is essential for our well being and occupies about one third of our life span. Sleep affects how we feel and perform on daily basis, which has major impact on our overall quality of liveliness. Getting enough quality of sleep at right times can protect our physical and mental health, quality of life and safety. The way we feel when we are awake depend in part on what happens when we are asleep. The constructive effects of natural sleep have been deeply considered and interpreted by Ayurvedic literature as well as modern researches. Certain people have considered sleep as a mere break down time when our brain takes rest. Some of the conditions like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes etc. occur due to long periods of sleep deprivations. The present article is aimed to highlight the significance of proper sleep and effect of sleep deprivation on health in view of Ayurveda and contemporary science. Keyword: Nidra, Sleep deprivation, Ayurveda, Sleep INTRODUCTION Sleep is basic human need and is essential for good health, quality of life and performing well during the day. The importance of sleep in our life can be realised by the time human being spend sleeping. It is an important physiological function of the body which occupies almost 1/3 rd of our lifespan. Good sleep is essential and advantageous to the quality of sleep. A number of vital physiological changes occur during sleep and help people stay healthy and function at their best. Ayurveda regard Nidra as one of the most essential factors responsible for a healthy and full filling life. It is one of the trayopastmabhas (three subsidiary pillars) on which person’s health is firmly balanced. Sound sleep at night is a natural nourishing phenomenon, so it is called as ‘Bhutdhatri’. Quality of sleep is an indicator of good health as it is stressrelieving and normalizes bodily tissues. In Ayurvedic literature, it is also called as ‘Vaishnavi maya’, indicating that Nidra provides nutrition to maintain good health like Lord Vishnu, who nourishes and sustains this world. Due to busy work schedules people try to trim down their sleeping hours in order to find more time to read, work etc. They are unaware about the long-term health issues which can take place due to improper and inadequate sleep. But recent researches have shown a very strong association between proper sleep and wellbeing of person. AYURLOG National Journal of Research in Ayurved Science (A peer-reviewed open access Indexed e-journal of Ayurved Since 2013) http://www.ayurlog.com June2020 | Volume 08th | Issue: 3rd ISSN: 2320-7329


INTRODUCTION
Sleep is basic human need and is essential for good health, quality of life and performing well during the day. The importance of sleep in our life can be realised by the time human being spend sleeping. It is an important physiological function of the body which occupies almost 1/3 rd of our lifespan. Good sleep is essential and advantageous to the quality of sleep. A number of vital physiological changes occur during sleep and help people stay healthy and function at their best. Ayurveda regard Nidra as one of the most essential factors responsible for a healthy and full filling life. It is one of the trayopastmabhas (three subsidiary pillars) on which person's health is firmly balanced. Sound sleep at night is a natural nourishing phenomenon, so it is called as 'Bhutdhatri'. Quality of sleep is an indicator of good health as it is stressrelieving and normalizes bodily tissues. In Ayurvedic literature, it is also called as 'Vaishnavi maya', indicating that Nidra provides nutrition to maintain good health like Lord Vishnu, who nourishes and sustains this world. Due to busy work schedules people try to trim down their sleeping hours in order to find more time to read, work etc. They are unaware about the long-term health issues which can take place due to improper and inadequate sleep. But recent researches have shown a very strong association between proper sleep and wellbeing of person.

Physiological effects of natural sleep
Sleeping is essential for us to live a balanced life. Sleep is a natural way of restoring our physical and mental vitality and plays a significant role in good health and well-being through our life. In Ayurveda, sleep naturally occurring at night is considered as Bhutdhatri (mother who nourishes the person). A number of vital physiological changes occur during sleep and help people stay healthy and function at their best. Good quality sleep during night removes drowsiness and restores the natural equilibrium of body tissues. When a person is asleep the muscles in his body relaxes thereby helps to repair the wear and tear of cells and tissues occurring in our day to day life. For better learning and knowledge sleep is essential. Researchers have proved that a good sleep at night can improve learning. A person can grasp well when than a sleep deprived person. The benefits of proper sleep as described in different classics is given in table 1.

Nidra and Sukha
Sukha is desirable to mind and body (anukulavedaniyam), produces health (swasthyaotpadaka), devoid of any diseases (vyapadrahitam). Hence, if a person wants to lead a helathy anf fulfilling life, he should not avoid the urge of Nidra and by Nidra it is supposed to be 'Ratriswabhavaprabhavaja nidra'. Arunadatta, the commentator of Ashtanga Hridaya explains the meaning of Sukha in high definition. He writes that which blossoms our mind and body is Sukha and it of two types: 1) Permanent happinessmeans Moksha, devoid of all sorrows. It is everlasting thus has universal approach.
2) Temporary happinessit has individual approach and characterized by the satisfaction of sensory desires or as the result of therapeutic action. Thus, it does not last forever.
Acharya Susruta described that, those who takes proper sleep in proper time will not suffer from disease, the mind of them will be peaceful, they gain strength and good complexion, good virility, their body will be attractive, they won't be lean or fatty and they live good hundred years. Here, Acharya Sushruata has given cardinal importance to timely sleep i.e. sleeping at night or 'Ratriswabhavaprabhavaja nidra'. According to acharya Charaka, one desirous of h iaoh ihe hippah htlae ttaatr oh w ras h pw iwar e ttw oh pw b hoath tt lhrtwh ihe iaa baioath tt rtwh ea twe w . aohtlrh iioabaoa tt iaa iw iolw iw eaw io e aholaoab as otriwe lkhi, oh rtte ihe rie itiw oh s ieipo e p he lpth khtra er ihe arhtwihi w p ioab as. The of equilibrium of dhatus is indicated by alleviation of disorders and its examination is done on many conditions illustrated by acharya Charaka in Vimanasthana. It also includes conditions like timely sleep, non-appearance of abnormal dreams, and easy awakening. It denotes that acharya Charaka has given significance to Nidra in achieving equilibrium of dhatus i.e. dhatusatmya along with other conditions.

Suppressing the desire to sleep
Modern medicine has demonstrated that sleep has essential physiological functions, and sleep deprivation has demeritorious effects on a number of bodily functions. Ayurvedic classics have clearly mentioned that one should never suppress the natural urge of sleep. Doing so causes delusion, excessive yawning, malaise, squeezing pain all over the body, drowsiness, lassitude, headache and heaviness in the head and eyes. All of these can be resolved with good sleep and mild massage. Sleep deprivation, also known as insufficient sleep or sleeplessness, is the condition of not having enough sleep. It can be either chronic or acute and may vary widely in severity. A chronic sleeprestricted state adversely affects the brain and cognitive function.

Indication for Day sleep
Sleeping during the day is indicated for those who are exhausted by singing, study, alcohol, sexual act, detoxification therapies, carrying heavy weights or walking long distances, for those suffering from indigestion, wasting, who are too old, too young, weak, thirsty, suffering from diarrhoea, colic pain, dyspnoea, hiccup or emaciated, for those injured by fall or assault, afflicted with insanity, or exhausted by travelling, anger, vigil, grief or fear and for those who are accustomed to it, day sleep is allowed. In all seasons, such sleep equalizes the dhatus and increases bala (strength). Shleshma/ kapha nourishes body parts, provides stability and promotes the life span. During the summer day sleep is advised for all as the nights are small and vata dosha accumulates due to heat, dryness and aadana kala. Day sleep is also indicated for those suffering from fat loss, kapha dosha or blood, to those of scanty perspiration or rukha (dry) and krusha (lean) constitution and those having digestion problems.

Effects of being awake at night
Staying awake at night produces dryness in the body along with complicatons of vitiated vata dosha and pitta dosha and decreased kapha dosha. Vitiated vata dosha causes giddiness, stiffness all over the body, restlessness, lack of concentration and decision-making power, excessive yawning, headache etc., while vitiated pitta dosha mainly causes digestion related problems. Lack of adequate sleep can affect judgement, mood and ability to learn and retain information. It may also increase the risk of serious accidents and injury. In the long term, chronic sleep deprivation may lead to a host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and early mortality. DISCUSSION Sleep is chief nourisher at life's feast. It occurs due to increased Tamoguna. Charakacharya specifically defines 'Ratriswabhavaja nidra' as 'Bhutadhatri'. Sushruta coated that sleep as 'Vaishnavi' and 'Kalaratri' by Vagbhata. Thus, sleep is essential for survival. Dependent on sleep is sukha. Sukha is desirable to mind and body (anukulavedaniyam), produces health (swasthyaotpadaka), devoid of any diseases (vyapadrahitam). Hence, if a person wants to lead a helathy and fulfilling life, he should not avoid the urge of Nidra and by Nidra it is supposed to be 'Ratriswabhavaprabhavaja nidra'. Equilibrium of dhatus (ehiol issi) a ihiwiio waz rs oh sspots lih i r ooahr a p io pwtp w oas (haewiairht siohikiais), ir hi tt rie ew is (biakiwakihis riphihis ieiw hihis) ihe tlhe irik hahr ( lkh hi ihi pwioartehihis). Lack of sleep leads to an increase in vata dosha in the body. It could also lead to yawning, aches in various body-parts, loss of concentration as well as digestion problems. Not only it is important to get the correct amount or the correct quality of sleep, but it is equally important to sleep at the right time. For example, sleeping right after a meal is not recommended, because it could lead to indigestion as it increases the kapha and decreases the vata and the pitta. If one stays awake for too late at night, it leads to an increase in vata dosha. This should be made up by sleeping during day on empty stomach for half of the usual time. Ayurveda also recommends sleeping during the day for a while during the summer season as it helps balance the doshas. As per Ayurveda, the best time to sleep is to match it with sun-sleep after sunset and rise with the sun. Sleeping too much is considered tamasic and increases and imbalances the kapha in the body. This weakens the digestive power and leads to heaviness in the body. If one fulfils these checkboxes when it comes to sleep, then it can go a long way in aiding digestion, nourishing tissues and promoting overall health. It also helps to balance the doshas and the gunas.

CONCLUSION
 All is well if someone sleeps well. In Ayurveda, Nidra is included in 'Trividha Upastambha' along with Ahara and Brahmacharya. For acquisition of perfect physical and mental health, it is essential to observe scrupulously a prescribed regimen every day and sleep (next to ahara) is important in that regimen. of Golden rules of Nidra prescribed in Ayurveda will go a long way in making the society free from physical, mental and spiritual ailments.