Restful Sleep: The Complete Mind/Body Program for Overcoming Insomnia

by Deepak Chopra

A new addition to the popular Perfect Health Library series. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life, is ideally suited to help with the problem of insomnia, in which the mind is known to play a considerable role. In this volume, Dr. Chopra shows readers how to fall asleep easily, feel rested upon arising, identify and eliminate the imbalances causing insomnia, and more. From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Health

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Deepak Chopra, MD serves as the Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Foundation, and Co-Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.

As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.

Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.

GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."

Reviews

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some great ideas that will really work to help sleep. I've just had the book for a few days and I've already benefited from the lessons. Skipped over all the yoga exercises it shows, but may go back later and learn some. I always thought there were morning people and night people and so forth. Deepak shows how this isn't true, we're all meant to sleep during the dark hours, and I now believe that. Book is from 1991, but relevant today.

[Imran Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't fully agree with non-scientific methods of health improvement, yet I still liked the book because of its good tips for insomnia.

[Eme Consiglio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Si tenes problemas para dormir y te gustan los principios Ayurvedas este libro es para vos. Personalmente no tengo insomnio pero me pareció un libro interesante porque habla mucho de lograr un equilibrio integral entre el cuerpo y la mente, que va más allá de tratar problemas como el insomnio.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version called Insomnia but I assume they're about the same.

A great resource and unique message regarding sleep patterns, times of day with energy (dosha) differences, and practical tips. After decades of struggling with poor sleep hygiene, having a confluence of increased motivation and hearing these thoughts have led to a big shift in my earlier bedtime and increased energy.

[Adrienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Key notes:
• Eistein slept for 10 hours, as I think, most of us sleep an average of 4-6 hours.
• Body remakes itself
• Nature is intelligent (as well as it’s Creator/Maker)
• Body goes through cycles
• “You cannot force yourself to sleep.”
• 3 body types. I fit Kapha, however, some aspects are not correct under the type, especially dominance times. I am more of a night owl for instance.
• Do not rely on drugs for your sleeping problem; gradually stop taking them (up to 6 weeks)
• Use sesame oil for massaging the body (hm.)
• Exercises that some I am quite familiar with, normally use to strengthen joints, achy bones,
• “Greatest gift to the world is to be yourself” (rephrased, P122)
• Vacations or free time should be spent to where you feel more whole and refreshed not stressed, fatigued and tired.
• Fear and anxiety is the ROOT cause of illness
• The ultimate goal in life is to be aware, relaxed, gain clarity and not making preconceived notions, definitions, interpretations, and judgments (shortened, p. 123)
• Focus on the present, this also comes from the Word of God (Bible) to not focus on tomorrow or yesterday and focus on today/present.
• To fully understand ourselves—connect or relate to nature
• Balance. Growth (ongoing). Reflect or self-referral. Complete fulfillment. Perfect Health.

Overall, I think he wrote this book way too complicated and only got brief notes to take in perspective in relation to sleep or how to combat insomnia. (I did take heed to some of the exercises I already do to relax but try before sleeping).

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to contain alot of information from Chopra's other books.

It had a few new facts about sleep that I wasn't aware of, and I liked the advice to stay in bed and at least get some rest (which makes more sense to me than the advice from others to get up until you're exhausted enough to sleep). Chopra also advises to be ok with not sleeping (so you don't get in the cycle of being stressed AND trying to sleep).

That being said, I'm still not sleeping, which is why it's only getting 2 stars :-)

[Diane Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been struggling with insomnia for the past several weeks—waking early and unable to get back to sleep, waking repeatedly throughout the night, or having a hard time getting shut-eye from the get-go. Pretty much the whole gamut of insomnia issues. I've read a slew of books about the subject, but this slim volume really resonated with me.

First, I'm interested in Ayurveda medicine, and the program Deepak Chopra lays out is based on that 5000-year-old science.

Second, rather than the usual advice to get out of bed if one can't sleep (which I feared would train my body to think that 4am was wake-up time), Chopra advises allowing the body to "rest easily" by taking a non-minding attitude to being awake, and bringing awareness to body sensations rather than thoughts.

Third, there's something comforting and positive about how Chopra writes.

In the book, he discusses lifestyle tips for overcoming insomnia, including getting in tune with nature's rhythms, how to soothe the senses, and balancing the physiology. He gives Ayurvedic insight on dreams and dreaming, and touches on insomnia in children and the elderly.

If you battle insomnia, and have tried Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and good sleep hygiene and still suffer, this book may be of help.

And now...to sleep, perchance to dream good dreams.

[Rosario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro que explora la importancia del sueño en la salud y el bienestar integral. Chopra combina conocimientos de la medicina tradicional india y la ciencia moderna para dar consejos prácticos sobre cómo mejorar la calidad del descanso. A través de técnicas como la meditación y la conexión mente-cuerpo, el autor enseña cómo restaurar la energía y promover la sanación a través del sueño. El enfoque se centra en lograr un equilibrio entre cuerpo, mente y espíritu para un sueño más profundo y reparador. Es una obra recomendada para quienes buscan optimizar su descanso y mejorar su salud general.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Restful Sleep" is based on Ayurvedic principles which entail the Vedic principles of the three doshas which are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Depending on which dosha or combination you fall into will determine your best holistic health regimen. Ayurvedic philosophy focuses on achieving harmony with the cycles of nature and creating a balance daily routine. Ayurvedic techniques include meditation, breath awareness, diet exercise and focuses on the importance of realizing that we are pure awareness and not our perceptions and mental creations. Any movement towards the latter assures imbalance and disease.

[Manuela Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A la final la conclusión de este libro es… relájese antes de dormir no esté pensando en dormir simplemente relájese… como si no le importara, duerma antes de las 10pm para que siga el ciclo natural de la naturaleza, no existen las personas nocturnas, el estar durmiendo después de las 10 solo trae consecuencia a corto y largo plazo, dormir luego de las 10:30 va a tener la mente más activa y el sueño liviano

La verdad puedo entender porque este libro está mal calificado, no dice nada fuera de lo común diría yo que más bien cosas obvias

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short helpful book on applying Ayurvedic concepts to sleep, along with many helpful reminders and suggestions for improving your sleep hygiene. Also give readers a deeper understanding of various cyclical and biological functions of our body, as well as a deeper understanding of how the various artificialities of modernity mess with our biology.

I also found this book to be a good mi... [see the rest on my book review site.]

[Lucy Akao · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great i have read 4 books on sleep and this book gives practical ways to help with sleep it simplifies it and gives an aspect of knowing your body type we all don’t recieve information the same way so why would we think we all will sleep at the same time and wake up the same . This is a simple book can be read by everyone . The most important part is how practical the book is not how well written it is or how much information it has . I learnt so much and would definitely be reading it again .

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sleep is a natural process. If your sleep is out of sync then there is something else deeper in your life out of sync. Discusses the 3 doshas and when out of balance they create issues.
Vatta - movement
Kapha - structure
Pitta- metabolism & digestion
Remember, everything that you touch, taste, smell, see or hear is metabolized. We human beings don't metabolize only food; we metabolize our sensory experiences and they become molecules of our body.

[Ledif Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable para la Salud

Es un libro corto que contiene una fuente profunda de grandes enseñanzas. Con lo que ofrece podemos cambiar nuestra vida para siempre.
Puse en práctica sus recomendaciones más sencillas desde el mismo día que las leí y enseguida sentí el impacto positivo que generó tanto en mi sueño con en toda la rutina diaria.
Si quieres dormir bien, como mereces, debes soltar todo y regalarte la lectura de este libro

[Andrea Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, warm, compassionate book that provides a holistic understanding of insomnia and actionable steps to get some rest and create positive changes in your life, based on the principles of Ayurveda. Insomnia can cause hopelessness and desperation, and this book gave me hope.

[Rachel Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading this book more than I thought I would. It took some of the anxiety away from sleeping for me. I've battled night time anxiety for 20 years and I feel like concepts in this book can help me.

[Janessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the introduction to Ayurvedic philosophy, my first of Chopra, will definitely read another

[Christine Grabowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a few helpful pieces of advice. But a little too "out there" for me. I was looking for more of a "to do" list for sleeping better.

[Ioannidesz Evjeniosz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Εντυπωσιακό!!!

[Liliana Díaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me gustó mucho. Sus aportaciones me han convencido. Aplicaré las técnicas ala brevedad.

[Kamakshi Kalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book which related ayurveda and sleep. Also many good techniques for improving sleep are mentioned in this book. A good read

[Monish Bhalla]

Q

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buenos datos para insomnes.

[Alpesh Maru · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an insightful book with helpful information for studying sleep science.

[Sarah B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insomnia can occur at various points in our lives due to life events, health issues and various other factors. This book is an excellent aid to help restore our natural sleep rhythms and ability to fall asleep as well as how to resume sleep when waking in the night. It is easy to read and practical. I highly recommend it.

[Ke · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I heard of Deepak Chopra before, this is the first time that I read one of his books. I found the parts about Ayurvedic medicine most informative and have started a sleep diary like as it is recommended by the book.

[Carolina Marín Cárdenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has good tips to understand sleep.

[Terra Wolski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont usually have problems sleeping but I thought it had some good tips to try. Lent to a friend - HOpefully it helps her :)

[ياسمين خليفة · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but good book full of useful advices about overcoming Insomnia.

[Joana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro de muito fácil leitura. Espero conseguir colocar a maioria das indicações em prática.