Anyone born in the digital era tends to be a night owl. The quiet of night provides a protective shield, allowing freedom to do as one pleases—be it chatting with friends, binge-watching a series, or reading a book cover to cover. For new mothers who only get time to themselves once their baby sleeps, the night is often their solace.
For me, however, the six days I spend on a high-altitude trek are the best. I wake up with the sun, walk through forests and mountains all day, and sleep when the sun sets. Those days are the most refreshing I experience. But why does waking up early have such an energizing effect? And why, the later we wake up, do we feel more lethargic?
To answer this, we need to understand what happens in our bodies during sleep, according to Ayurveda.
Imagine a sponge soaked in water—it absorbs moisture, and to release that water, you need to squeeze it. Similarly, our bodies absorb kleda (excessive moisture )and doshas, which accumulate within us. During sleep, our digestion and breathing slow down, and our srotas (channels in the body) often become clogged with this excess moisture and doshas. We can see evidence of this in the form of crusty residue at the corners of our eyes when we wake up.
Waking up with the sun helps clear our bodies of excess moisture. Just as a mimosa plant opens in the daytime and closes at night, our bodies go through a similar process. Sunlight, physical activity, and daily routines help cleanse the body, leaving us feeling energized and refreshed. Physical activity throughout the day also supports optimal digestion.
This understanding of our body’s natural rhythms aligns with modern science as well. In 2017, the Nobel Prize was awarded to researchers studying the circadian rhythm, which regulates our alertness, response times, and energy levels during the day.
But what happens when we sleep during the day?
In Pune, where I live, it’s common for shops to close between 1–4 p.m. for afternoon naps. Though widely accepted, daytime sleeping affects our body in a negative way. It can disrupt the srotas (channels in the body), interfere with digestion, and create a backlog of undigested food in the stomach—like cooking on a stove, turning it off halfway, and then resuming later. This disrupted process can gradually weaken digestion.
Sleeping during the day can leave you feeling even more lethargic than before you dozed off. Over time, frequent daytime sleep can lead to symptoms like headaches, nausea, itching, and inflammation and even cause weight gain. These effects don’t appear immediately but build up gradually.
There are some exceptions to this rule, however. In summer, when the weather is hot and dry, daytime sleep can be beneficial as it helps increase moisture in the body. In certain medical conditions, and for individuals who are frail or engage in intense physical activity, a daytime nap is acceptable, provided it’s not immediately after eating.
Are All-Nighters Healthy?
As mentioned earlier, sunlight provides the energy to keep our srotas clear of kleda (excessive moisture). When the sun sets, the body has to work harder to keep these channels open, reducing alertness and increasing lethargy.
Whenever we push against our natural rhythms, there’s a backlash. Stretching a rubber band, for instance, creates tension that snaps back. Similarly, the longer we stay awake, the more Vata and Pitta doshas accumulate. Vata, which governs movement, becomes heightened, making us restless and unable to sleep even when tired. Pain is often attributed to Vata, so when it increases, so does pain. Pitta, being fluid, moves with Vata, causing symptoms like acidity and heartburn.
What If You Have a Night Shift?
While night shifts are challenging, sleeping the entire day afterward can make things worse. As discussed, daytime sleep increases fatigue and can lead to weight gain. According to Ayurvedic classical texts, it’s best to sleep for only half the time you would normally during the day, without having food. This balance can help in being more vigorous and lively during the day, even after having worked at night.
Ayurveda offers more insights into sleep, insomnia, and related conditions, but this gives a glimpse into the ancient wisdom on balancing sleep and health.
tasneem