Kapha - Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

With the days getting shorter and the nights longer we are moving into a period of the year when we feel even more the qualities of Kapha - heaviness, slowness. Yet we want to carry on at our normal rhythm, especially during the holiday season. Did you also know that the evening is the Kapha time of the day? Having a good night's sleep is important for your health. Let me share some reasons with you.

Having a good night's sleep is not only important to increase your energy but also to

1. boost your immune system

2. keep the mind and body young

3. avoid chronic diseases, such as diabetes

4. keep in shape

5. to feel more at ease and satisfied with your life

But what can you do if you have problems getting a good night's sleep?

The key to getting quality sleep lies in having good digestion. However, digesting the food you eat well is just one part. It's also important to "digest" all the experiences you've savoured throughout the day. Here are some of my top nutritional tips to help you and your family get that good night's sleep in the coming months.

1. Avoid having drinks containing caffeine - coffee, tea, coca cola - before going to bed because they are stimulants. Your body may take, for example, up to 7 hours to digest the caffeine in a cup of coffee. Observe the effect such drinks have on your body, even if you have them late afternoon.

2. Drink little alcohol (if you drink any) and drink it earlier on in the evening. It can put you to sleep but also affects the quality and quantity of your sleep.

3. Eat satisfying meals which are rich in protein but light in the evening at least 3-4 hours before going to bed. Most of my new clients who regularly eat heavy meals in the evening tell me that they feel tired when they get up in the morning. If you're not sure what to prepare, enjoy a "taste" of my book "Plans for Dinner?"

4. Go to bed about the same time every evening, preferably before 11pm.

5. Observe your breathes for a few minutes before going to bed. Give thanks for each experience you've had that day, happy and not-so-happy moments. When you're lying down comfortably, continue to observe your breathe and slow it down.

(c) 2008 Janet Gomez