Try Active Relaxation At Work

Sounds like an oxymoron, right? Active relaxation — is it possible to have one with the other? Try these gentle exercises to help beat stress and increase flexibility. If you spend most of your day sitting at a desk or in front of a computer, these stretches are for you! Wrist stretches. The dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injury are big fears for folks who spend a lot of time at the keyboard. Give your hands and wrists a break with a quick prayer stretch: place your palms together, fingers straight and push. All you need is a … Continue reading →

Eat Your Way To A Good Night’s Sleep

Having trouble sleeping? You aren’t alone. Nearly one in three Americans suffer from some form of insomnia! What you eat (and drink) may help ease your struggle with the sandman. First, eliminate the usual suspects… that means cut out the caffeine. Even decaf coffee and chocolate can contain small amounts of caffeine. It won’t be easy, but try cutting out caffeine entirely for two weeks. If you sleep better without caffeine, it may be time to say goodbye to coffee and sodas! Some people are more sensitive than others; experiment to see how much or how little affects you. You … Continue reading →

Essential Rest

Your body needs rest. Rest doesn’t mean sleep. Rest means taking a break BEFORE you collapse! It means giving yourself time throughout the day for a little mental vacation. Rest helps your body fight stress and disease. It gives you back a sense of balance and patience. How do you know if you’re in desperate need of rest? Ask yourself a few questions: Are you having trouble making simple decisions? Like what to wear or what to eat? Are you feeling like you’re on your last nerve? Are you short tempered and snapping at people who don’t deserve it? Are … Continue reading →

Facts About Sleep Apnea

At least eighteen million Americans suffer from sleep apnea — while you sleep, you suddenly stop breathing. Do you know the facts about sleep apnea? Snoring can be an indicator of a problem. Approximately half the country saws a few logs at night; don’t assume your spouse has sleep apnea if their snores keep you awake. However, as much as twenty percent of the population does suffer from sleep apnea. If you or your bedmate snores loudly with gasping or snorting, they may have sleep apnea. But only your doctor can tell you that for sure. If you have sleep … Continue reading →

Circadian Rhythms

Humans are designed on a circadian rhythm — the internal cycle that includes the tendency to sleep when it is dark and wake up when the sun comes up. The circadian rhythm also governs the flow of hormones, temperature fluctuations, and other things we may not consciously notice about our bodies. At night — in the dark — is when melatonin comes out to play in our bodies. Research shows that melatonin is one of the body’s most powerful cancer fighters! All cells, including cancerous cells, have melatonin receptors. When melatonin latches on to a cell, it slows cell division … Continue reading →

Another Seven Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep

Naps can be your best friend or your worst ally. Me, I’m a napper. I can snooze for an hour or two and still get into bed at the usual time with no problem. For some people, taking naps can make insomnia worse. If a nap isn’t a good idea for you, you should make a point of getting up and moving around if you feel sleepy and it’s not bedtime yet. Skip the shower. A shower tends to wake you up. If you need some help relaxing, try a warm bath instead. A long, hot bath will help relax … Continue reading →

Seven More Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep

If at first you don’t succeed, get out of bed. If you have been in bed for a half hour without falling asleep, get up and leave the room. Do something quiet for twenty minutes — read a book, meditate, write a letter — and then try going back to bed. Lying in bed agonizing about why you’re not falling asleep isn’t going to help you fall asleep! And speaking of agonizing… don’t lie in bed worrying about things. I can’t tell you how to stop worrying, but it may help to write down a to-do list for the next … Continue reading →

Six Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep

All of these tips aren’t going to necessarily work for everyone, but if you’re having trouble getting enough sleep, give them a try and find out what works for you! Train your body to keep a sleep routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, all week long. Yes, that includes weekends. The more regular your sleep routine is, the easier it will be to stick to it. You really can’t catch up on missed sleep by oversleeping on your days off. Develop a bedtime routine, where you do the same things every … Continue reading →