Insomnia and sleep disturbances - Where is the underlying problem?
- Martyna Bajer
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Why the mind won’t switch off, and why sleep is never “just sleep”
There’s a particular kind of exhaustion that only comes from poor sleep.
Not just one bad night, but the ongoing cycle: you’re tired all day, you finally reach bedtime, and suddenly your mind wakes up. The body feels wired, but somehow heavy at the same time.
Insomnia is almost painfully “normal” in the modern world. Not because it’s harmless, but because the conditions that create it have become the default: overstimulation, irregular routines, constant decision-making, screen light late at night, emotional processing with no space, and a nervous system that never fully feels safe enough to power down.
But guess what: Just because something is common it shouldn't mean that it's normal!
Insomnia is often Vata-driven
Ayurveda describes insomnia as most commonly caused by an increase of Vata dosha in the mind or nervous system.
When Vata rises, we see qualities like:
lightness and restlessness
irregular rhythms
racing thoughts
sensitivity to noise and light
difficulty “landing” in the body
That’s why so many modern sleep issues don’t look like simple tiredness. They look like dysregulated energy: the body wants rest, but the mind keeps moving.
And here’s the important part: Insomnia shouldn't be treated as an isolated symptom. It should be treated as a pattern that affects everything else.
For example, insomnia may be related to constipation (a classic Vata link). It can be a result of stress or being overtired, and then it creates fatigue, which leads to more stress. It can appear alongside low mood or depression, and it may intensify depressive tendencies by removing the very thing that stabilizes the mind: deep rest.
Different insomnia patterns do exist
Even though Vata is a primary culprit, Ayurveda doesn’t reduce all insomnia to one category.
Some people experience:
Vata-type insomnia (light sleep, waking frequently, anxious mind, irregular patterns)
Pitta-type insomnia (waking around the middle of the night, heat, intensity, frustration, vivid dreams)
Kapha-type sleep disturbance (excess sleep but low quality, heaviness, morning fatigue, dullness)
And many people have mixed patterns, especially when stress and digestion are both involved. This is why generic “sleep hygiene” tips can feel frustrating. They’re not wrong - they’re just not personalized.
The gut and the mind are always in conversation
One of the most fascinating Ayurvedic insights is how directly sleep connects to digestion.
When digestion is disturbed, sleep often becomes lighter. When sleep is disturbed, digestion often becomes weaker.
This is not poetic language. It’s physiology through the Ayurvedic lens: the nervous system and the gut are intimately connected. If the mind is overactive, digestive fire can become irregular. And if digestion is incomplete, the body doesn’t settle easily at night.
This is also why many Ayurvedic herbs are so special in their action: they don’t only “calm the mind.” They help redirect energy from the mind back to the gut - supporting digestion and sleep at the same time.
In other words, they help the system return to its natural hierarchy.
How do I support my clients when it comes to insomnia and sleep disturbances?
I approach insomnia holistically, through:
herbs (selected to match your constitution and current imbalance)
lifestyle changes (rhythm, nervous system cues, sensory input)
Ayurvedic oils (to ground Vata and signal safety to the body)
nutrition (to support digestion and stabilize the nervous system)
Insomnia isn’t just “lack of sleep.” It’s a sign that something in the system is asking to be rebalanced.
If your sleep has been fragile for a while, and you’re tired of trying random fixes, I invite you to work with me 1:1.
We’ll look at your constitution, your digestion, your nervous system patterns, and the hidden drivers behind your insomnia - and create a plan that supports both sleep and the deeper health foundations that make sleep possible.
