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Ambient Air
Food & Drinks
Sleep & Wakefulness
Excreation & Retention
Movement & Rest
Emotions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Six Factors

(5) Sleep and Wakefulness

    Sleep causes much the same effects as repose. It strengthens all natural functions; makes the breath unclear; restrains strong evacuation; aids digestion; helps expel matter that has lost its vitality; induces sweating; and usually disperses the innate heat. The waking state has the opposite of all of these effects. Excessive sleep draws the innate heat within the body, causing the exterior to become cold.

    It is a principle of nature that for humans, night is the time of sleep, and day the time of action. It is ideal to retire shortly after night has fully fallen (about one hour after sunset) and arise about one hour before sunrise.