“There are hundreds of thousands of people who wear their sleepless stress as a badge of honor. I’m guilty of that too!” This is a contradictory statement for an author of a book about sleep, but it’s true. That’s what Deepa Kannan, author of Sleep, says. how to sleep bettersaid in an interview with. lounge. Kannan, a functional medicine and Ayurvedic health counselor who teaches yoga in Bangalore, shares how she, like others, has had to battle with sleep issues. “At one point, when my son was having health issues, I realized that I hadn’t prioritized my sleep. We had unlimited resources, so we thought we could get through it. ” she observes with a wry smile.
The sixth edition of Wakefit’s Great Indian Sleep Scorecard (GISS) report, released last year, revealed some worrying numbers. The survey, conducted only in Bangalore, found that 91% of Bangaloreans use their mobile phones before bed, “despite knowing the importance of switching off digital devices at least an hour before bed.” was shown to be using. The report also found that city employees felt sleepy during work hours, with 26% believing they suffered from insomnia.
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“Drowsy driving is just as bad, if not worse, than drinking and driving, because no one will stop you if you’re driving drowsy,” Kannan said, explaining how widespread the problem of sleep deprivation is. He emphasized that he was doing it. Although this is a growing trend, for Kannan this topic is worth looking at in more detail and in more depth than just analyzing the impact of external factors such as light and noise pollution on sleep quality. . “You can see that her priorities are light optimization and circadian rhythms, but no one is really talking about the physiological disruptions in the human body that are disrupting a person’s sleep,” she says.
As Kannan points out, dealing with people’s problems by closing your eyes isn’t just a suggestion to “turn off the lights and quiet your mind.” She says this is not realistic if your body is in complete disarray. “We felt we needed to find a framework that could look at sleep itself individually and accurately identify the various permutations and combinations of each person’s unique sleep challenges,” Kannan reveals. It is this framework that is central to Kannan’s book. This protocol, designed by Mr. Kannan, combines yoga, physiology, and Ayurvedic practices to provide an organic solution to achieving that elusive sleep. Until they go to bed,” Kannan added.
Where science and ancient wisdom intersect
On the surface, these two may not agree (especially when it comes to X), but if there’s one perspective they agree on, it’s about the role of sleep in overall well-being. “Functional medicine says that regardless of the disease, three fundamentals need to be in place for treatment to be effective: blood sugar balance, excretory system, and sleep. Health in Ayurveda The three pillars of Ahal (food), Nidra (sleep) and Brahmacharya (Chastity, Sexual Health, Relationships),” Kannan revealed, adding that if you draw a Venn diagram from science and ancient wisdom, the two intersect harmoniously, proposing sleep as one of the cornerstones of health. He pointed out that he was deaf.
Everyone is in fight or flight mode
A long-time practitioner associated with functional medicine and Ayurveda, Kannan has clients who come to her with chronic sleep issues. While everyone may have unique problems, Kannan agrees that there are common issues. She says, “Globally, today we are all stuck in an overly sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ mode, or what Ayurveda calls ‘fight mode.’vata When exposed to continuous stress, our bodies secrete excess adrenaline and cortisol hormones, resulting in nervous system dysregulation.
“Adrenaline isn’t bad, but your body is wired to release the hormone when it accomplishes its purpose. But today, when you’re on high alert, stress hormones stay in your body for longer.” Kannan says. Not only will your digestive, reproductive, and immune systems be weakened, but being in constant fight-or-flight mode will affect the quality of your sleep. In this state, it is difficult for us to automatically slow down, Kannan added. “We push our bodies harder and don’t get enough sleep. Is it any wonder why we hear about heart attacks and early deaths?”
24/7 light disrupts sleep
If a new study by researchers at Drexel University is to be believed, staring at screens can cause behavioral problems in children as young as 2 years old. Research shows that children exposed to television viewing before the age of two are more likely to develop atypical sensory processing behaviors, such as becoming disinterested in activities and seeking more intense stimulation. it was high. When it comes to sleep, Kannan agrees that today we are becoming insomniacs because our lives are surrounded by light all day long.
“There are conflicting views on the effect of blue light on sleep. For example, there are researchers who refute this theory that blue light interferes with sleep, but if you ask me, I don’t know if I work in an LED environment all day. The answer is that it is a mistake to work out of synchronization, such as working night shifts.What is the solution?Currently, sleep science is advocating a return to a life based on the body’s circadian rhythm. Kanan points out that Ayurveda recommends living in tune with the Earth’s circadian rhythm of light and darkness, meaning staying awake when it’s light and going to bed when it’s dark.
for a good nap
Her book includes a 10-step guide to sleep, but here are some of Kannan’s favorite habits.
- Eat the right way: Start your day with a light breakfast, a healthy lunch to stabilize your blood sugar, and a light dinner around sunset.
- Try making gentle movements. Practice gentle exercise such as walking (aim for 10,000 to 15,000 steps each day), swimming, yoga, and strength training. I would like to add here that I advise my clients who have sleep issues to avoid intense, intensive exercise such as running, HIIT, and Zumba.
- practice yoga nidra: Lying on the ground; savasana Practice yoga nidra or meditation, ideally between 2pm and 6pm. It’s a great grounding exercise.
- Give yourself time to switch off. Set aside time each day to access your gadgets and stick to a schedule. Restricting access to emails and messages that cause stress can help you calm down.
- Abhyanga: Once a week, apply warm oil to your body and lie on your mat for 60 minutes. It is an effective way to keep your nervous system balanced.
