That elusive thing called Sleep & My Grandmother’s Theories

Circadian rhythm is a term that has gained a lot of attention and interest over the past few years. To those who don’t know what I’ve just mentioned, circadian rhythms are the cyclical pattern of a day, one follows the journey of the Sun from its ascent to the time it bids adieu to us for the day. Imagine having the ability to sleep in sync with the Sun’s journey through the day. Fall asleep for a good 9-10 hours and feel absolutely refreshed the next morning. This phenomenon is a thing of dreams as most of us today, struggle with the prospect of getting enough sleep or with sleep disorders that are triggered by stress, lack of an active lifestyle and an inadequate diet. We have applications that help us track our sleep patterns and also measure the intensity of our sleep, but nobody can control our ability to sleep other than ourselves. When we were infants we had the most minimal of activities to do, to eat & sleep. Our mothers nourished us with food and would put us to sleep and that’s how the phrase sleep like a baby comes into existence as it suggests a free-flowing, unadulterated and deep sleep without a worry in the world. This phase is the most important part of a human’s mind and abilities in life as the sleep is what helps the child start dreaming and thereby will itself into existence right from their cryo-sleep. 

My grandmother believes that as adults too, we can sleep as we did as children, but only with the right mindset, adequate physical activity and a clear conscience. This sounds very easy, especially when it rolls off of my grandmother’s tongue in her native dialect, like it is a piece of cake. Reality though is a slightly dark picture as the whole world is working towards attaining that elusive dream called adequate sleep. The body heals when we sleep, so it doesn’t make sense when we are unable to process an essential healing that we absolutely need and must be like the air we need to breathe every second to survive. It’s not a peachy topic, more so because the countless distractions that we have built for ourselves in the form of Social Media, Television ( for the few that still watch that outdated machine), Netflix which is the word of the hour and of course the current news which cannot be relayed without a cloud of darkness these days. Taking into account all that is happening around us today, we must appreciate ourselves for surviving what has been an apocalyptic experience that past year, all over the world. Sleep is still an essential part of our health and for anyone who wants to sleep well, we suggest you listen to your Grandmothers. 

My grandmother felt that a diet that is sensitive to the time of day makes all the difference, especially when we talk about Sleep cycles because a heavy stomach will hinder sleep patterns, sleep quality and your general health. Be like my grandmother, pick light food options at night as they are both easy on the stomach and help you choose a healthy eating pattern that will in turn aid in improving your sleep cycle.My grandmother ate simple Upmas for dinner that were very easy to make and most importantly gave her variety in her meal pattern while also helping her stay healthy. We live in an age where fancy dinners were an essential part of our culture but now things are different. We have been given time to introspect on our food & lifestyle choices. With growing work pressure and constant deadlines to meet, most of us are struggling to fall into a sleep routine but persistence never fails. Eat mindfully at dinner and reap the benefits of healthy sleep which in turn will lead to a healthy lifestyle and thereby an energetic life. Don’t look too far while deciding on light dinner options. Aha Bazaar brings home closer to you by housing Instant Food Mixes that are made using nutrient-rich ingredients like Finger Millet, Kodo Millet, Foxtail Millet and many more that will definitely help you find that Utopian Sleep pattern. Grandmothers are always right, so order away your Instant mix from brands like Grain Trends, Health Basket, Gits who have all joined the Aha Bazaar family and will help you gain your balanced sleep pattern just like you did when you were a baby.