Insomnia

All of us occasionally spend sleepless nights, tossing and turning in bed. But sometimes, this problem becomes persistent and the person continuously has trouble sleeping. Medically, Insomnia is characterized by an inability to sleep and/or remain asleep for a reasonable period. Any of the following can be classified as Insomnia:

• Trouble falling asleep.
• Waking up several times during the night.
• Waking up too early in the morning.
• Waking up still groggy, and not refreshed.

Insomnia is a problem that is often neglected. This problem however, not only affects energy-levels and mood but also overall health and immune system. Lack of proper sleep can cause fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, depression and many more symptoms. Insomnia affects people of all age groups. Among older adults, insomnia affects women more often than men. The incidence increases with age.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year. This is the reason we are discussing insomnia as an ailment and have worked towards finding a solution for you. We believe that Good Sleep gives way to a healthy mind, and a healthy mind provides a healthy body!

The Different Types of Insomnia

Insomnia can be: 

Short term: Short-term insomnia lasts only for a single night to a few weeks. This generally occurs due to some stressor. Once that stressor is removed, the insomnia is taken care of.

Intermittent: Here, the individual suffers from sleeplessness from time-to-time. In brief, it comes in phases.

Chronic: In this state, the person may suffer from insomnia for a very long period, like for 3 nights a week, over a month, or more. This can be due to some health problem, like cancer, depression, etc. Sometimes, chronic insomnia is seen to exist without any health problem.

What are the Causes of Insomnia?

Insomnia may result from either psychological or physical causes. The following factors may cause insomnia:

• Psychological Problems – This includes anxiety, stress or depression due to some reason. Many people also have insomnia during the acute phases of a mental illness.
• Physical Problems – The most common medical conditions that may trigger insomnia are: congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
• Certain Medications – Some medicines like those prescribed for depression, high blood-pressure, are known to cause insomnia.
• Use of Stimulants – Having too much caffeine and nicotine can cause poor sleep. Alcohol may also lead to un-refreshing sleep.
• Environmental Factors – These include noise, light, or extreme temperatures (hot or cold), which can interfere with sleep. A change of place or bed may also affect sleep.
• Disturbed Sleep Schedule – This is a very common cause of insomnia. It is often seen in people who work in night-shifts, and in new mothers who need to keep getting up to feed their babies.
• Certain Groups of People – Some people, like travelers, pregnant women, women going through menopause, aged people, etc, may constantly suffer from insomnia.

What are the Symptoms of Insomnia?

There are many symptoms of insomnia. They are:

• Tiredness or sleepiness during the day
• Inability to get proper sleep during the night or getting poor quality of sleep
• Irritability and decreasing tolerance level with family members
• Problems in concentrating or remembering
• Impaired motor coordination
• Avoidance of social interaction
• Loss of interest in life
• Fatigue

How is Insomnia Diagnosed?

In cases of insomnia, a deep study of the patient is required, i.e. factors affecting his life, past history, stressors, schedules, tension, etc. A complete mental evaluation may be done, because insomnia is commonly associated with depression, anxiety, stress, etc. The doctor will also try to identify if there is any medical or psychological illness that may be contributing to insomnia, e.g. Sleep Apnea Disorder, cardiac disease, etc. The physician may also ask the patient to undergo the following tests:

• The Epworth Sleepiness Scale Test – This test is done to determine the level of daytime sleepiness. It is in the form of a validated questionnaire that the patient has to answer. A score of 10 or more is considered sleepy. A score of 18 or more is very sleepy.
• Actigraphy Test – This is another technique to assess sleep-wake patterns, over time. Actigraphs are small, wrist-worn devices (about the size of a wristwatch) that measure movement. They contain a microprocessor and on-board memory, and can provide objective data on daytime activity.

Conventional Insomnia treatment includes sedatives such as temazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, flurazepam, nitrazepam and midazolam. Most prescribed sleep medications are addictive and habit forming. They also do tend to have a long list of side effects. Besides, they only induce sleep artificially, without addressing the underlying cause that disturbs the sleep pattern, such as the energetic and mental factors mentioned above. Our Doctors prefer a holistic approach, which is designed to target the root causes and not just symptoms. Our Specialists are here to provide you the support you need, and remember the earlier you address the root cause, the sooner you’ll be on the road to health and freedom.

Complementary Natural Care

Restful sleep is essential for proper functioning of our body and mind. That’s why chronic insomnia causes a palpable derangement in your mind, body and spirit. Natural remedies aim to not only end your sleeplessness and symptoms related to it, but also activate your body’s own sleep inducing mechanisms. Natural remedies stimulate your body and help to sleep naturally by providing appropriate supplements to replenish your energy-reserves.

Tips for Insomnia Management

• Get regular exercise.
• Make sure you have dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
• Follow a routine to help you relax and wind down before sleep, such as reading a book, listening to music, or taking a bath.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late in the day or at night.
• Practice relaxation therapy or meditation, which helps to reduce stress and body tension, and stimulates the body to fall asleep, naturally.

Biogetica’s mission is to provide you with integrated natural solutions that target root issues across the physical, energetic and informational spectrum of your life. Our Doctors research all possible ingredients and combine them synergistically into kits to potentially lead you back to health and freedom.

The proof of our methods is evident from the groundbreaking results we have seen in independent clinical trials, and more importantly, in the lives we’ve helped uplift!

Restful sleep is essential for proper functioning of our body and mind. That’s why chronic insomnia causes a palpable derangement in your mind, body and spirit. Biogetica’s approach is believed to activate your body’s own sleep inducing mechanisms by: **

• Gently calming your nerves
• Acting as a nerve tonic, thus strengthening your nerves
• Slowing down your overactive thought processes and relieving your restlessness, without having any effect on day-time alertness
• Relieving and stabilizing your moods
• Helping you fall asleep more easily
• Improving your quality and quantity of sleep, so you feel refreshed and energized during the day

Prana’ stands for life force, and as the name suggests, it is instrumental in keeping us alive. ‘Pranayama’ is the process that helps us control ‘Prana’, and thus in a way, control our life. On careful observation, it is clear that there exists an intimate connection between the breath and energy-currents. Proper coordination of the breathing process leads to the control of vital inner-currents and energies. It ultimately results in the control of the body, mind and soul continuum. Over the millenia yogis have understood how each pranayama affects the energy meridians of the body and therefore these yogis recommend particular pranayamas for particular conditions and constitutions.

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1. Tandem Breathing (‘Sahita Kumbhaka’)

It has 2 types, based on whether or not there is any concomitant chanting of Mantras with the Pranayama exercise.

Steps:

1. Comfortable aasana like Padma-asana or Swastika-asana.
2. Slow inhalation; with concomitant chants of the mantra ‘OM AARAH’, if possible.
3. Hold the breath for a short period of time.
4. Slow Exhalation.

Significance: It’s a daily and constant process, which we seldom appreciate.

Benefits: It encourages concentration with closed eyes while we inhale and exhale.

2. Awakening breath (‘Surya Bheda’)

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana / Swastika asana / Siddhasana. Concentrate with eyes closed.
2. Rest the right thumb on the right nostril (Avoid applying any pressure or blocking the nostril). At the same time, rest the right index finger on the space between 2 eyebrows and close the left nostril with the right ring and little finger.
3. Slow inhalation through the right nostril is pursued, till comfortable.
4. With the thumb applied to the right nostril, retain the breath firmly pressing the chin against the chest. There is no specific limit to this and it can be pursued till there is discomfort.
5. Slow and silent exhalation through the left nostril. It is followed by a short gap wherein inhalation is avoided. This same procedure is to be repeated again.

Time limit: Hold your breath till you perspire. This point cannot be reached at the very outset. The period of retention of breath needs to be gradually increased.

Advantages:

• It cures the diseases caused by excess of Vata & Kapha
• Improves digestion
• Awakens ‘Kundalini Shakti’

Indications:

• Intestinal worms
• Arthritis
• Sinusitis

3. Hissing breath (‘Ujjayi’)

Steps:

1. Sit comfortably in Padma-asana / Swastika asana / Siddhasana. Close the mouth.
2. Fold the tip of the tongue and rest it on the palate. The tongue will appear to be ‘twisted’.
3. Inhale air slowly through both the nostrils in a uniform manner till the breath fills the chest. This results in a peculiar sound uniform in pitch and continuous in nature.
4. Retain the breath as long as you can, till there is any discomfort.
5. Close the right nostril with the right thumb.
6. Exhale slowly through the left nostril.

Time limit: 3 min to hr

Advantages:

• Strengthens the nervous system
• Improves the tone of voice
• Relieves stress
• Increases lung capacity

Indications:

• Indigestion
• Koch’s
• Bronchitis
• Pharyngitis
• Spleen disorders
• Tonsillitis
• Cough
• Ascites

4. Serpent’s Breath (Sheetali)

It is an imitation of the respiration of a serpent.

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana/Swastika-asana/ Siddhasana/Vajrasana.
2. Rest the hands on the knees.
3. Fold the edges of an outward-extended tongue to resemble a round hollow tube.
4. Draw in the air through the mouth with a hissing sound ‘Si’ and feel the air touching the tongue while inhaling.
5. Retain the breath as long as you can till there is any discomfort.
6. Slowly exhale through both the nostrils.

Time limit: 1 – 5 minutes. Practice regularly in the morning, 15 to 30 times.

Advantages:

• Purifies the blood
• Quenches thirst and appeases hunger

Indications:

• Spleen disorders
• Chronic dyspepsia
• Indigestion
• Bilious disorders

5. Cooling Breath (Shitkari)

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. Fold the tongue so that its tip is brought to rest over the upper palate. Inhale air through the mouth accompanied by a hissing sound ‘Si’/ ‘C’.
3. Retain the breath as long as you can, till there is any discomfort.
4. Slowly exhale through both the nostrils.

Time limit: Gradually increase by 1 minute every week, till 5 minutes.

Advantages:

• Helps to keep the body cool in summer
• Improves vigor & beauty
• Helps quench thirst when thirsty

Indications:

• Dental carries
• Bleeding and inflammation of gums
• Ulcers
• Colitis
• Throat infection
• Hypertension patients can practice this type of Pranayama to decrease blood pressure.

6. Bellow Breath (Bhastrika)

It draws similarity with the bellows of a blacksmith. It involves rapid expulsion of breath and is a powerful exercise. It can be termed as a combination of Kapalabhati and Ujjayi.

Steps:

1. Upright position (with a straight neck) in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. Body, head and neck in erect posture. Close the mouth.
3. Inhale air (chest expands and abdominal muscles are pulled in) and quickly exhale 10 times (1 set). While doing so a hissing sound is produced.
4. When 1 set is on the verge of completion the final expulsion should be followed by a deepest possible inhalation.
5. Retain breath as long as you can till there is some any discomfort.
6. Follow it with a complete slow exhalation. This marks the end of one round.
7. After a short rest (with normal breathing pattern) begin the next round.

Time limit: Practice three rounds daily in the morning and evening.

Advantages:

• Decreases anxiety and depression
• Stimulates appetite
• Improves resistance power
• Gives warmth to the body
• Purifies ‘Nadi’ and awakens the ‘Kundalini’ quickly

Indications:

• Abdominal disorders
• Throat and chest infection

Note:

• In case you encounter any giddiness, stop the practice and take a few normal breaths. Continue after the giddiness has subsided.
• In summer, practice it in the morning only during cool hours.
• Those wishing to practice it in the long-term and in an intense manner, should live on ‘Khichdi’, and take an Enema (‘Bhasti’) in the morning before starting the practice.
• People suffering from heart or lung disorders should do it slowly.

7. Humming Breath (Bhramari)

Its name is derived from the fact that a sound like that of ‘humming of bees’ is produced when it is practiced.

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana or Swastika-asana. Keep the neck and back erect.
2. Place your thumbs on the ears, index fingers just above the eyebrows (near the sinuses) and the remaining three fingers on the eyes. The finger-tips should slightly press the ridge of the nose on each side.
3. Inhale and exhale air rapidly through both the nostrils, making a humming sound resembling that of a Bee (‘Bhramara’). Concomitantly chant ‘Om’.
4. The process can be continued till you perspire profusely.
5. Next inhale through both the nostrils and retain the breath as long as you can, till there is some discomfort.
6. Exhale slowly through both the nostrils.

Time limit: Beginners may practice it 3 times, and advanced practitioners 11-21 times.

Advantages:

• Improves speech and voice-quality
• Helps in the achievement of ultimate peace (‘Samadhi’)

Indications:

• Sinusitis
• Hypertension
• Depression
• Stress

Contraindications:

• Epilepsy
• Head injury
• Brain tumor
• Migraine
• Severe or persistent headaches

8. Supreme Breath (‘Murcha Pranayama’)

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana
2. Close the eyes and concentrate on the space between the 2 eyebrows (‘Trikuti’).
3. Inhale slowly through the mouth and retain the breath till you feel faint.
4. Sever off your connection with the surroundings and focus on the center-point between the 2 eyebrows.
5. Apply the chin on the chest and then exhale slowly.

Time limit:

Advantages:

• Practice without distraction endows divine happiness
• Makes you feel pleasant and relaxed

Indications:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mental disorders

9. Unconditioned Breath (‘Kevala Kumbhaka’)

Perfection in Tandem breathing (mentioned earlier) paves the way for Kevala Kumbhaka. Thus, an existence devoid of inhalation and exhalation and unconditioned by space, time and number is unconditioned breath.

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. It involves the sudden stopping of the breath without resorting to inhalation or exhalation.

Advantages:

• Attainment of Raja Yoga and perfection in Hath Yoga
• Arousal of Kundalini Shakti
• Cures diseases and promotes longevity

10. Alternate Breath

A simple, yet scientific exercise that can be practiced virtually anywhere. It is based on the fact that we alternate between the two nostrils when we breathe.

Steps:

1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana. Tilt your head slightly forward.
2. First half round:
   1. Fold the index and middle fingers of the right hand into its palm. The other fingers should be extended.
   2. Close the right nostril with your right thumb.
   3. Inhale through the left nostril for a definite period of time – say 5 seconds.
   4. Close the left nostril with the right ring-finger and little-finger.
   5. Concurrently remove your thumb from the right nostril, and exhale.
   6. This is to be done for twice the inhalation period, i.e. for 10 seconds.
   7. This completes the first half of one round. 3. Second half round
   8. Inhale through the right nostril for a definite period say 5 seconds.
   9. Close the right nostril with the right thumb.
   10. Exhale through the left nostril for a period that is twice that of inhalation i.e. 10 seconds.
   11. This completes the other half of one round.
3. Second half round:
   1. Inhale through the right nostril for a definite period – say 5 seconds.
   2. Close the right nostril with your right thumb.
   3. Exhale through the left nostril for a period that is twice that of inhalation i.e. 10 seconds.
   4. This completes the other half of one round.

Time limit: If there is no discomfort of any kind after practicing as instructed above, increase the inhalation period gradually second-by-second. Correspondingly change the exhalation period.

Number of Rounds: Begin with 3 rounds. If there is no discomfort, 1 round can be added every week, until you are doing 7 rounds. This exercise can be practiced as often as you wish, but do remember to do it at least once a day.

Advantages:

• Cleanses/detoxifies the Pranic channels
• Regulates Prana
• Imparts relaxation
• Improves mental functioning and alertness
• Imparts optimum creativity and optimum logical, verbal activity of the brain
• Improves sleep

Indications:

• Stress and related disorders
• Physical and mental fatigue
• Tension headaches

Contraindications: Cold/ Nasal block (Stuffed nose). Forced breathing is not advocated and can lead to complications.

The mind is a tool developed for our survival. You are not the mind, nor the body but rather one that can perceive the mind and the body. However, one is now constantly wagged around by the mind and its fears and desires. Often we find ourselves trampled in a parade of thoughts and washed around in a flood of emotions. Meditation is simply the process of returning Home to our true nature as the witnessing consciousness in which arise all thoughts and emotions. It is merely the fragrance of Being Human.

Meditation cannot be done, it will happen once we stop doing everything and anything. Now is all that exists, all else is merely grasping at the wind hoping to change things that are generally way beyond our control.

Talking about meditation and whether you believe you can do it or not, is pointless. When we rise above our mind, emotions and body, meditation will happen. Simply listening and following is enough. Meditation is in our very nature, and it happens for us all. Behind all those thoughts is a Witness. You are that Witness.

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So please, let it happen.

Guided Healing Meditation with our founder, Apurve Mehra

Advaita self discovering meditation with Apurve”I AM THAT I AM”meditation with Dr Stephen Wollinsky

Meditation 1

Meditation 2

Meditation 3

Meditation 4

Meditation 5

Heart Chakra Tone (Music composed by Satya Hinduja)

Guided meditation with our founder Apurve

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