Sleeping in Day is Good or Bad?

Our body moves through three doshas every day – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each period is dominated by the respective fault.

• Kapha dosha, which occurs between 6 am and 10 am, is the time when you should be active. Active exercise is beneficial in this. If you sleep at this time of the day, it makes you feel sluggish due to which your internal organs do not function optimally and smoothly. According to Ayurveda, lunch is the most important meal of the day. It is recommended to have a light breakfast so that you will not feel sleepy.
• Pitta Dosha prevails from 10 in the morning till 2 in the afternoon. Pitta dosha controls the metabolic activities of the body. That is why it is always said that you should eat more food in the afternoon than in the morning and evening. During this time, your body can convert food into energy and fuel that supports it during the rest of the day.
• Similarly, Vata dosha dominates from 2 pm to 6 pm. This time is best for your mental and creative activities as your brain functions very well during this time. But at the same time, you may also feel sleepy during this time. That's why a cup of hot tea should be taken at this time and those things which make you feel happy should be done. This is how the cycle of the blame goes on.
• According to Ayurveda, sleeping during the day is not advisable, it may cause an imbalance between Kapha and Pitta doshas. This imbalance can adversely affect the functioning of the body. However, Ayurveda also states that people who are healthy and strong can take naps during the day only during summer. The reason behind this is that during summer the nights are short, due to which our sleep is not complete and also the body gets tired due to the hot weather. That's why it is advisable to take a nap during the day.

Ayurveda has clarified who can sleep in the afternoon and who should not sleep during the day.

(Read More - Hypersomnia treatment)

Taking a short nap during the day can benefit the following types of people -

• Students get tired of studying continuously. Taking a nap in between helps to give their brain a rest.
• Elderly people can sleep to rest their bodies and mind.
• People who suffer from indigestion problems due to Vata imbalance.
• Singers taking a nap in between can help balance their vata dosha.
• Sleeping during the day for angry people can calm their minds.
• For people who have had any surgeries in the past, sleeping during the day can strengthen their healing process.
• For those people who do hard work and heavy work like laborers - day sleep can give them rest for some time.
• People who want to gain weight.

(Read More - Sleep Deprivation)

These people should not sleep at all during the day -

• People who are suffering from obesity.
• People who want to lose weight.
• Diabetic patients should not sleep during the day.
• People who eat more oily foods.

(Read More - Microsleep Treatment)

The following types of disadvantages can usually be seen from sleeping during the day -

• Fever
• Cold
• Obesity
• Throat related diseases
• Increased feelings of nausea and vomiting
• Lack of good memory and intelligence
• Skin diseases
• Swelling
• Weakened immune system
• Weak senses

(Read More - Effects of improving sleep on mental health)

Ayurveda recommends sleeping during the day, but one must think whether sleep is beneficial for them or whether sleeping during the day will increase their problems. So, do what is good for your body.

(Read More - Sleep chart by age)