In the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, true rest is not merely the absence of activity—it is a sacred dance between our inner rhythms and the cosmic pulse of nature. Like a river finding its course through the mountains, our bodies seek their natural state of balance, or doshas, through the art of conscious rest.
When we speak of rest in Ayurveda, we speak of a profound alignment with the cycles of existence. It is in the gentle pause between breaths, in the quiet moments before dawn when Vata energy swirls like morning mist through the air. It is in the afternoon reprieve when Pitta’s fire needs cooling, and in the deep, grounding stillness of night when Kapha’s nurturing embrace holds us in sleep.
True rest is not a luxury—it is the foundation upon which our vitality dances. Just as the earth requires fallow periods to regenerate its abundance, our bodies and spirits need sacred spaces of non-doing. In these spaces, we don’t simply recover; we remember our essential nature.
When was the last time you truly felt rested? We don’t just mean relaxed, chill or asleep. But, actually rested, like your body and mind were completely restored and you were bounding with natural energy ready to face your day with optimism and success. You didn’t need caffeine or an energy bar because every cell in your body was optimally reenergized all on its own.
The reality is that only a small percentage of adults in the United States wake up in the morning feeling fully rested. Still, nearly two-thirds of the US adult population believe they are getting enough sleep or rest. These numbers don’t add up. While we often focus on sleep quality and quantity when it comes to measuring energy levels and energy stores, there is an even more important underlying but overlooked physiological mechanism that powerhouses our energy.
Ultradian Rhythms
Ultradian rhythms are measurable, observable, quantifiable physiological patterns that your body must maintain in order to operate properly. The concept literally means to “oscillate” (rhythm) “many times per day” (ultradian). In other words, these rhythms are oscillating patterns of energy expenditure and recovery that usually happen in four hour time blocks.
Similar to circadian rhythms – or, your sleep cycle – ultradian rhythms regulate every aspect of your wellbeing, including your sleep quality and energy levels. While sleep abnormalities in the past have been associated with circadian rhythm (your sleep/wake cycle) disruption, sleep disturbances may actually stem from ultradian rhythm imbalances.
When we disrupt or ignore our ultradian rhythms we are setting ourselves up for an energy crisis in which we are constantly working to catch up or recover our energy, highly dependent upon caffeine and stimulants to keep us going, and oftentimes relying on barely enough low-quality sleep to get us through the day.
When we ignore our ultradian rhythms, we set ourselves up for a potential lifetime of disharmony and disease.
- Healthy Ultradian Rhythms = abundant energy, deep restorative sleep, optimistic mindset and a lower probability of disease.
- Unhealthy Ultradian Rhythms = energy depletion, crashing, poor quality sleep, hormonal imbalances, depression, anxiety, addictions and a higher probability disease.
While you may have never heard of ultradian rhythms, the concept itself is as old as time. From an Ayurvedic perspective, “Living in Rhythm” is the foundation of wellbeing in mind, body and spirit and is supported by practices such as Dinacharya and Ritucharya.
True Rest
The wisdom keepers of Ayurveda teach us that rest has its own seasons and rhythms. Sometimes it appears as a midday meditation, where we float in the space between thoughts like lotus petals on still water. Other times, it manifests as an evening oil massage, where warm sesame oil grounds our scattered energies and reminds our bodies of their inherent wisdom.
Rest can mean different things for different people. Certainly, your personal constitution will require different amounts and types of rest to gain full restoration and ensure optimal functioning of the body and mind. And, not everybody needs to do less. Some people actually need to do more activity to activate their metabolism, improve circulation and enhance energy flow.
- Ayurvedic Air-Types (Vata Dosha) need the most rest and recovery. Their energy stores often run on nervous-type energy, sometimes based in a fear of slowing down. They are most susceptible to depletion or fatigue as well as nervous system disorders or disease.
- Ayurvedic Fire-Types (Pitta Dosha) need a moderate amount of rest and recovery to avoid burnout. Their energy stores come from high metabolic energy and they are the most likely to suffer from chronic or acute inflammatory disorders.
- Ayurvedic Earth-Types (Kapha Dosha) need the least amount of rest and recovery and may need more motivation to get moving. They are the most likely to struggle with low metabolism and lethargy, which can lead to metabolic disorders, diabetes and chronic disease.
Living in Rhythm
Still, everyone needs to learn to live in rhythm and honor their ultradian rhythms. We offer a few tips for you to consider below to help you attune to your personal needs.
- Schedule daily breaks. Every 2-4 hours, for 10-30 minutes, without exception. Leave your devices and take a walk. Sit and listen to nature. Eat mindfully. Breathe or meditate. Don’t compromise these breaks or talk yourself out of them. If you tell yourself they aren’t important, you won’t do them.
- Daily Yoga Nidra. The benefits cannot be overstated. If you do it daily, with intention, you are guaranteed to start seeing results quickly.
- Sensory Withdrawal. Try it. You won’t regret it.
- Learn to Meditate. Everybody’s form of meditation is different – find one that works for you and stop making excuses.
- Somatic Movement – yoga, tai chi, qi gong, stretching, mindful walking, etc. – learning to sync your breath and body through gentle movement helps you to attune to your internal rhythms and release pain, tension, gripping or whatever might be holding you back.
Rest, in its deepest sense, is a return to wholeness. It is the practice of surrendering our constant doing to simply being. Like the moon’s reflection in a forest pool, true rest reveals our undisturbed nature—peaceful, complete, and in perfect harmony with all that is.
When we honor rest as sacred, we align with the healing intelligence of the universe. We remember that productivity is not our essence, and that our worth is not measured in perpetual motion. In the soft darkness of rest, we find our way back to the rhythm of our hearts, to the wisdom of our bodies, and to the truth of our being.
Let us embrace rest not as weakness, but as the source of our strength. For it is in these blessed moments of pause that we are restored, renewed, and reminded of the deep well of peace that resides within us all.
The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace the direct advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a medical or other professional healthcare provider when considering a new health regime.
