I recently read that scientists believe that day sleep may increase the tendency to Alzheimer’s disease, the loss of memory and mental functioning.
According to a recent theory, Alzheimer’s disease occurs when the nerves in the brain are blocked by some kind of non-functioning fatty tissue (In Ayurveda, that would be Kapha). In Ayurveda, day sleep increases Kapha. I’m wondering if when you try to avoid things you don’t like, like thoughts, fears of future or feelings from past or anger, your body might create this Kapha material to drown out the thoughts and feelings you are trying to avoid. We know that the body follows the mind’s directions and vice versa. If you are sleeping in the daytime to avoid something, it may have a negative long-term effect on the mind.
So happy!
Self-Expression Key to Mental Health
If Kapha is a factor in Alzheimer’s disease, it is important not to avoid things and to keep the mind sharp and discriminating and decisive and analytical. In other words, keep the Pitta processes operating. Pitta will keep Kapha in balance by warming up the cooling Kapha tendencies, keeping things moving. (Pitta naturally decreases and Vata increases as we age.)
Even without the fear of Alzheimer’s, it is important to counteract the normal increase of Vata as we age by keeping the fires of Pitta burning, in digestion and mind. Stay passionate about something.
Sometimes people feel they “don’t care” about anything just before they die. They are “too tired,” etc. They give up. It may be important to CARE about things, people, passions for ideas, justice, etc. if we want to stay alive and engaged in living.
Suppression of emotions has a negative effect according to Ayurveda: suppress anger and Parkinsons may result; suppress fear (Vata) and Alzheimer’s may result.
The bottom line is, you need to express yourself to stay healthy.
An Ayurvedic Consultation with Cynthia can assess your sleep needs and fine tune your lifestyle.
