A balanced sleep cycle plays a vital role in our health and well-being, bringing rest, repair, and rejuvenation and allowing us to process thoughts and emotions through dreams. In Ayurveda, sleep imbalances are classified according to the doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha, each having a distinct character and nature.
Vata-type sleep tends to be irregular and light but can be profoundly deep when exhausted. While vata can cause difficulty falling asleep, the classic vata-type sleep imbalance is to awaken during the night— unable to return to sleep. This is particularly common during vata time, from about 2–6 a.m.
Pitta-types generally sleep well, though somewhat lightly, crave moderate sleep, and can quickly go without sleep when preoccupied with a project or deadline. Sometimes disturbed by fiery, vivid, and active dreams, sleeping can be difficult because pitta is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Kapha-types are heavy sleepers who are not easily disturbed or awakened and like to sleep more hours than any other doshic types. Kapha dreams tend to be calm, smooth, and emotional, and when out of balance, they tend to have excessive sleep and wake up with heaviness and sluggishness.
Sleep balance can be found with simple adjustments to routine, exercise, diet, and lifestyle habits, and specific herbs can be very helpful in finding some balance. Below is a very helpful capsule I make for clients.
