Ayurvedic Perspectives towards Sleep and Its Significance

Ahara (food), Nidra (sleep), and Bramhacharya (celibacy) are three pillars of life. Sleep is equally important as food, hence we must know concept of sleep described in Ayurveda. It is also enumerated as the natural urge which should not be suppressed and if suppressed would lead to various diseases. Health of a person means healthy physical body and mind together. Ayurveda helps in keeping balance, harmony and equilibrium in all physiological activities of body and mind. Ayurveda is an eternal science. Conclusion: Causes of the rapid increase in non-communicable diseases are mostly related to Lifestyle such as physical inactivity etc. Increasing a sedentary lifestyle due to the growing use of technologies in daily life causes higher levels of physical inactivity. In modern era of civilization, due to growing use of technologies like Laptop, Tablet, Mobile phone and increasing competition, changing lifestyle especially sleeping pattern has become a leading cause for manifestation of many diseases like Hypertension, Migraine, Diabetes mellitus, Obesity etc. Hence, Nidra(sleep) being an integral part of our life plays an important role in promotion of health and prevention of diseases. It has been observed that all the living beings enjoy sleep to keep their body and mind active. Mini-review Article Ahefaz and Chaple; JPRI, 33(58B): 448-453, 2021; Article no.JPRI.71232 449


INTRODUCTION
In all Samhitas Ahara, Nidra and Brahmacharya are given prime importance under the name of "Trayopastambha" the sub pillars of life. The strength complexion and compactness of the individual body depends on these three factors [1]. Sleep is the mental operation having the absence of cognition for its grasp. Acharya Vyas made a statement that -"sleep is a state of unconsciousness, but the consciousness remains about his own unconsciousness" [2]. According to Charak Acharya when mind gets tired, when sense organs and motor organs get exhausted they no more can perceive their objects and there remains nothing to feed the mind for the sake conveying to soul , in this status , already tired mind does not perceive anything and stste of sleep occurs . In modern era of civilization, due to growing use of technologies like Laptop, Tablet, Mobile phone and increasing competition, changing lifestyle especially sleeping pattern has become a leading cause for manifestation of many diseases.

Duration of Sleep
Different individuals require different duration of sleep as per their body constitution, health status and age factor.
It is known factor that in younger age Kapha will be predominant, in Middle age Pitta and in old age Vata. Hence it can be noted that there is a close relation of Dosha with sleep. Kapha Dosha will induce more sleep in an individual and the Vata Dosha on opposite reduces the duration of sleep.  [4,5].

Importance of Sleep
3) As the real knowledge brings about Siddhi (enlightenment) in a yogi similarly properly intake of sleep brings about happiness and longevity in human beings [6]. 4) Properly sleeping at the night time makes Dhatusamyata (balance of the body constituents) and provides alertness, good vision, good complexion, good strength and good digestive power [7].

Remaining vigil during night causes roughness in the body [10]
Demerits of Ratrau Jagarana: If one remains awake in Vatakala i.e. in late-night (approx. 2 am to 6 am if sunrise at 6 is), then Vata gets vitiated which vitiates the Agni and leads to inappropriate digestion of food. Vitiation of Vata is more harmful for digestion than Pitta and Kapha. If one remains awake in Kapha and Pitta Kala i.e. first two Praharas, and sleep in Vatakala i.e. in last Prahara then definitely food gets digested properly. For treatment purpose Panchakarma offers Shirodhara and shiroabhyanga for Anidra [14,15]. Few studies related to sleep in different groups were reported [16,17]. Studies on quality of sleep among doctors and medical students were reported [18][19]. Other studies on beneficial effects of Ghrelin [20] and Yoga [21] were reviewed [22][23][24][25].

CONCLUSION
Causes of the rapid increase in noncommunicable diseases are mostly related to Lifestyle such as physical inactivity etc. Increasing a sedentary lifestyle due to the growing use of technologies in daily life causes higher levels of physical inactivity. In modern era of civilization, due to growing use of technologies like Laptop, Tablet, Mobile phone and increasing competition, changing lifestyle especially sleeping pattern has become a leading cause for manifestation of many diseases like Hypertension, Migraine, Diabetes mellitus, Obesity etc. Hence, Nidra(sleep) being an integral part of our life plays an important role in promotion of health and prevention of diseases. It has been observed that all the living beings enjoy sleep to keep their body and mind active.

CONSENT
It is not applicable.

ETHICAL APPROVAL
It is not applicable.

COMPETING INTERESTS
Authors have declared that no competing interests exist.