Last night, scrolling through Instagram feed, I came across an article in Time magazine titled, “Why Is Anxiety Worse at Night?” by James Bucharme. It was a fascinating read that explored why anxiety often intensifies after dark, offering insights from psychologists and researchers. Yet, as I read, I couldn’t help but think about the missing pieces—understandings that could be enriched by the lens of Ayurveda and Yoga. These ancient sciences provide profound explanations for the rhythms of the mind and body, which complement modern psychological understanding.
Let me walk you through my reflections.
What does a Biological Clock actually mean; is it just a fancy word, that we claim to undertsand but not enquire deeper into?
In the article, Bucharme quotes Rebecca Cox, an assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, who notes that our body’s biological clock influences not just when we feel hungry or sleepy but also how our brain functions. This biological rhythm, though, isn’t just a scientific abstraction; Ayurveda describes it as the interplay of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—the three doshas that govern every aspect of our physical, mental, and emotional health.
According to Ayurveda, the day is divided into cycles dominated by these doshas:
Kapha (6 AM–10 AM & 6 PM–10 PM): The time of stability and heaviness, ideal for grounding activities.
Pitta (10 AM–2 PM & 10 PM–2 AM): The time of transformation and metabolic activity.
Vata (2 PM–6 PM & 2 AM–6 AM): The time of movement, creativity, and subtle activity.
When I read Cox’s description of how the brain becomes less equipped to regulate emotions as sleep pressure builds, it resonated deeply with Ayurveda’s explanation of the Vata cycle from 2 AM to 6 AM. This is when the mind is at its most active, this is when our dreams are most animated if we are asleep, for better or worse. Channeled correctly, creativity and inspiration can peak during this time, so can the racing thoughts and rumination that plague those with anxiety. This, I believe, fills a gap in the conversation started in the article.
A Restless Mind in the Still Night
Bucharme’s article also emphasizes how isolation, lack of distractions, and the quiet of the night create the perfect storm for anxiety. Dr. Jeffrey Strawn points out how nighttime strips away the day’s noise—emails, phone calls, errands—leaving our minds to replay fears, worries, and unresolved thoughts. Ayurveda echoes this sentiment but goes deeper.
During the Vata phase, the qualities of air and space dominate, making the mind prone to overactivity and instability. If you’ve ever felt a wave of unease wash over you in the dead of night, know that it’s not just your imagination. The forces of Vata are active, amplifying your thoughts and emotions.
Interestingly, this aligns with the research cited in the article: anxiety peaks at 1 AM, which overlaps with Pitta (10 PM–2 AM) transitioning into Vata. The fiery, intense energy of Pitta combined with Vata’s instability is why so many people feel agitated or restless in the late hours.
A Holistic Perspective
I loved how Bucharme’s article brought up the connection between anxiety and poor sleep, emphasizing the cyclical relationship between the two. Ayurveda supports this notion but offers a different lens. Anxiety, being a Vata imbalance, not only disrupts sleep but is also exacerbated by irregular routines, overstimulation, and an unsettled mind—all hallmarks of modern lifestyle.
For instance, Bucharme’s point about nighttime behaviors like journaling or structured “worry time” is fascinating. Ayurveda would interpret this as grounding practices that calm Vata’s chaotic tendencies. But beyond techniques, Ayurveda invites us to view anxiety as a systemic imbalance that can be corrected, rather than making is something than defines us, treating the root cause by harmonizing our body, breath, mind and norusihing it deeply.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Reading this article made me reflect on how much more we could understand about stress, anxiety, depression, and other health concerns, if we viewed them through both modern and ancient paradigms. While therapy, medications, and behavioral strategies are indispensable, could we also turn to Ayurveda and Yoga to identify the root causes of our struggles and support holistic healing?
I’m not here to offer solutions or give a prescription in this article. Instead, I want to spark curiosity and invite you to explore your bio-individuality further, because there is no one-size-fits-all" solution, as desperately we might want one. If you’ve been grappling with sleep related issues, anxiety or other challenges, I would love to help you uncover how a combination of Modern Nutrition Science, Ayurveda and Yoga can complement your journey toward healing. Together, we can look beyond symptoms and their management , and discover the patterns and imbalances that drive them.
Reach out if you feel called to. Let’s start the conversation. Click here to leave a message and I shall get back to you.
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