A Critical Review on Nidra as a Cardinal Requisite for Optimal Health and Well Being

Abstract

Ayurveda as a holistic science lays great emphasis on lifestyle modification under  Ahar (Diet), Vihar (Daily regimen) and Aoushadh (triad for prevention and  treatment of all diseases).Among vihara nidra is considered as a very influencing  factor in Ayurveda classics. Nindra is considered as one of the sub pillar of  Trayopasthambh which includes Ahaar, Bhramcharya, and Nidra. Ahaar  nourishes our body, Brahmcharya nourishes mind but Nidra nourishes both  body and mind. Sleep maintains the functions of entire body through  homeostasis; contemporary science states that NREM (non rapid eye movement)  sleep may be state of brain repair i.e. of increased cerebral protein synthesis or  of reprogramming the brain so that the information achieved in a wakeful  functioning is most efficiently assimilated. Ayurveda substantiates the similar  opinion by designating it as ‘Bhut-Dhatri ‘which nourishes the all living beings.