Back to Simple Night Rituals for Deep Sleep Ancient practices to soothe your nervous system and invite rest
Lately, I’ve been noticing that many people are feeling more anxious, restless, and having trouble sleeping. There’s a kind of collective unease in the air—and it’s showing up in our digestion, our mood, and most noticeably, in our sleep.
In Siddha and Ayurveda, sleep is one of the three pillars of health, alongside food and balanced energy. And when sleep is off… well, everything wobbles.
So I want to share with you two of my favorite little nighttime rituals—oiling the feet and the navel (you’ll find the details below). These simple practices are deeply calming, grounding, and nurturing. I do them almost every night. They’ve become these quiet, loving moments where I tend to my nervous system and invite deep, restorative sleep.
And here’s the thing: These aren’t one-time magic tricks. Their power lies in gentle repetition. These are accumulative practices—they work over time.
Just a gentle reminder: These are ancient, effective home remedies, and they really do support deeper sleep and a more grounded nervous system when practiced consistently
But... if you’re feeling like you need more support right now—if anxiety, insomnia, or just feeling “off” is really getting in the way—please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can schedule a Siddha Varmam Therapy session, where we’ll work directly with your nervous system, subtle energy points, and lymphatic flow to bring more ease, clarity, and calm to your whole being.
1. Ayurvedic Foot Massage (Padabhyanga)
Why at night? Oiling the feet before bed helps ground Apana Vayu—the downward-moving energy that governs elimination, stability, and release. When Apana is weakened or reversed (flowing upward), it can cause restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, and mental overactivity. Massaging the soles gently draws energy downward, calms the mind, and creates a sense of grounding and safety in the body.
Benefits:
✓ Calms anxiety and soothes the nervous system
✓ Supports deeper sleep, healthy circulation, and eye health
✓ Grounds Vata and balances emotional energy
How to Practice Padabhyanga:
Choose your oil: Ghee, Sesame Oil, Ashwagandha Bala Oil, or Sleep Easy Oil
Apply 1–2 tsp per foot and massage with care:
Soles: use firm, long strokes to warm and activate
Toes: gently squeeze and twist each one, massaging oil between the toes as well
Top of foot & ankles: use long, soothing strokes and gentle circular motions around the anklesWear socks after if done at bedtime to keep the oil on the skin and off your sheets.
Wear socks after if done at bedtime to keep the oil on the skin and off your sheets.
2. Castor Oil (or Ghee) Navel Ritual for Deep Sleep & Grounding
Why the Navel? In Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, the navel (nabhi) is seen as a powerful energy center—one of our first connection to life and nourishment. It is a central energy point connected to 72,000 nadis (energy channels). It absorbs oil deeply, offering nourishment to the entire system and calming the nervous system from the inside out.
Why Castor Oil (organic & cold-pressed)? Warming, grounding, and anti-inflammatory—castor oil supports elimination, soothes bloating, balances hormones, and eases anxiety and restlessness, especially at night.
Note: If you are prone to soft or loose bowel movements, avoid using castor oil. Instead, use ghee, which is gentle, nourishing, and more suitable for sensitive digestion.
How To: Gently put a few drops of the oil or ghee into and around your navel in a clockwise motion
Wishing you deep sleep and sweet dreams,
