Look Your Best with a Good Night's Sleep

Today, our lives have become so busy there seems to be hardly any time for us to devote to sleep. Given that many of you are driven, goal-oriented, and over-achievers, spending a third of your lifetime sleeping can seem like a waste of time. But sleep remains an indispensable part of human life and function. Sleep is the body's miracle of restoration and its importance to your well-being shouldn't be discounted. Simply stated: you need a good night's sleep for both overall health and beauty. Lack of sleep can lead to serious health problems, a weaker immune system, and mental stress. You could also experience related problems like memory impairment and a lack of quality sleep makes you look tired, less attractive and rundown. You may have filled your daily routines with so many activities that both your body and mind are unable to cope with such high pressure. Ultimately, without quality sleep to recharge your body and mind, you may begin to show signs of stress. Sleep deprivation seems to be a common problem. Sadly, over scheduled and stressed out adults are passing their lack of priorities for a good night's sleep down to their children. A recent report by The National Sleep Foundation (NSF), a respected nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing sleep problems and disorders and to researching and educating the public on the importance of sleep concluded: "The 2006 NSF Sleep in America poll of 1,602 households across the U.S. indicates that 11-17-year-olds have lengthy to-do lists, and sleep often gets pushed to the bottom of those lists, putting teens at risk for health and mood problems and difficulties in school. In fact, many teen respondents said they often arrive late for school, fall asleep in class or are too tired to exercise. To top it off, parents may be in the dark about the sleep debt their children are accruing." Sleep is Essential Sleep, like food and water, is an essential requirement in our lives. If you deprive yourself of a good night's sleep, then you may be inviting trouble. There are some importance advantages to getting a good night’s sleep: * Sleep goes a long way in determining how you look and feel. * It enables you to be more alert and energetic. * It helps you to concentrate more on your work at home, the office, or school. * When you sleep well, both your body and your mind are refreshed; sleep removes most signs of tiredness and helps to keep you lively and full of energy. There are also some significant disadvantageous to missing out on your sleep: * When you build a sleep debt, your body becomes tired in the daytime and forces you to take naps. * While twenty- or thirty-minute power-naps may be beneficial, relying on those naps can become a bad habit. Most employers aren’t too happy to find you asleep at the computer. Sleeping on the job almost always leads to a reprimand or dismissal. * Lack of sleep makes you more irritated and prone to depression, mood swings and forgetfulness. The Beauty of a Good Night's Sleep You can enhance your health and overall appearance by getting a good night's sleep. Researchers are working rigorously to establish the precise connection between sleep and beauty, but there is already strong evidence that: * Lack of sufficient sleep creates eye problems like dark circles under your eyes. * While creams, lotions, masks, and other cosmetics can help alleviate unsightly eye problems, remember to also alter your lifestyle and get more sleep. * "Your eyes are the windows to your soul." They reflect your inner health and highlight it to the outside world. In other words, getting enough sleep helps make you feel better both inside and out. By now you shouldn't be surprised to learn that many of your eye problems are caused by a poor sleeping habits. This article illustrates how getting a good night's sleep can sometimes help you avoid unsightly and distracting facial features like dark circles under your eyes. If, however, after obtaining a good night's sleep, you still experience dark circles around your eyes, there are some treatments that offer help. These over the counter treatments will help in the fight for clearer skin under your eyes. For example, I have read good things about Eyederma(tm). Eyederma(tm) was formulated to be a powerful ally in diminishing dark patches and circles under your eyes. When a good night's sleep and a professional evaluation don't clear up the dark patches under your eyes, consider checking out Eyederma(tm). You can obtain Eyederma(tm) which is now available from reputable eTailers like Amazon.com and www.bodestore.com.

About the Author: Written by the V-Team courtesy Kamau Austin Publisher. The V-Team writes articles for the health and fitness enthusiast. Their timeless health and fitness tips are at the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful news and tips about reducing dark cycle around the eyes with Eyedermaat http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm. This article was posted on October 16, 2006 Article Source: articlecity

Curing Insomnia - 7 Steps To Better Sleep

Do you sit up at night not bothering to go to bed because you know you won’t sleep? Or, do you climb into bed and then toss and turn getting more and more frustrated because sleep won’t come? If so, don’t despair because help is at hand. Whether you are suffering from short-term, transient insomnia or longer-term chronic severe insomnia, curing insomnia is simpler than you might think. Here are 7 simple steps that provide a natural cure for insomnia and that will set you on the road to better sleep. Step 1. Set yourself a bedtime routine. Set a time for going to bed and for getting up in the morning and stick to them. Experts agree that most of us need about seven or eight hours sleep a night, but this varies from person to person. You’ll know yourself whether you can manage comfortably on six hours a night, or perhaps need as long as nine hours. Whatever the case, set your bedtime and wake up times accordingly and then keep strictly to them. Step 2. Arrange your bedroom for sleep. Your bedroom should only ever be used for sleeping (and for making love), so arrange it accordingly. Set the temperature at a comfortable, cool level (ideally between 65 and 70 degrees), and make sure that your bedroom is well ventilated. If possible, sleep with a window open or, if this isn’t practical, ensure that air can circulate through the room, perhaps by using a fan. Also, make your bedroom as dark as possible when it’s time to sleep and avoid the common mistake of leaving a light on in case you need to get up during the night. Step 3. Lower external stimulation. Avoid doing anything that is likely to stimulate either your body or your mind in the hour or two before bedtime. Don’t do your daily workout during this time, or decorate the spare bedroom. Also, try to cut out television in the run-up to bed. I know, this is not easy and you might even say “it’s impossible”. If this is the case, then don’t give this particular pleasure up but try to be selective in what you watch and choose programs that are relaxing. Step 4. Lower internal stimulation. If you’re a tea or coffee drinker then try to cut these out of your evening routine. This also applies to other drinks that contain caffeine, or high levels of sugar, such as many colas and hot chocolate. Also, avoid drinking alcohol. Although a drink before bed might well help you to get to sleep, it will certainly not help the quality of the sleep that you get. Step 5. Avoid overeating. If, like many people, you enjoy a bedtime snack then keep your late night meal small and avoid high protein foods and foods that contain a lot of fat or sugar. Try a small bowl or cereal or a low-fat yoghurt. Step 6. Clear out your worries and concerns. If you’re the type of person who goes to bed with your mind racing and runs over all of the worries and concerns of the day then here’s a tip for clearing the clutter from your head. Shortly before you go to bed, take a notebook and write down all your worries and concerns. The simple act of committing these to paper will allow your mind to let them go and relax. Step 7. Take positive steps to induce relaxation. It’s easy to talk about the need to be relaxed when you settle to sleep, but how often do you actually take steps to relax yourself, rather than hope that relaxation will come. Add relaxation, and perhaps meditation, exercises to your bedtime routine! Climb into bed about 15 minutes before it’s time to turn out the light. Get comfortable, close your eyes and practice one of the many relaxation or meditation exercises available. With a little practice you’ll find yourself falling asleep before you’ve finished your exercise. The natural remedy for insomnia The seven steps outlined here are just a small sample of the many things that you can do to cure insomnia. The secret to curing insomnia doesn’t lie in the all too commonly used sleeping pills, but is to be found in a few simple changes to your lifestyle and in setting yourself a clear routine. Make a few simple changes to your lifestyle today and start enjoying better sleep tomorrow. Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders - http://help-me-to-sleep.com

About the Author: Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health publications including "How To Get A Good Night's Sleep - Simple Solutions To Help You Rest". To pick up your free copy of this guide visit: http://help-me-to-sleep.com/insomnia/ Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Re-Visioning

Radical Consciousness is the means by which we can re-invent the past and dream the future into a new reality. Radical Consciousness is not stuck in any concepts from the past or future. What happened in the past is an appearance only. You can re-live the story, and bring about a new ending. You wrote the script the first time; you can re-write it. There are as many histories as there are viewers of history. That's why it is so hard for juries to decide who is innocent and who is guilty. The important point here is to realize that you are not stuck in time. Radical Consciousness is not confined to any time or place. Consciousness is Eternal in time, and Consciousness is the Fourth Dimension in Space. The Fourth Dimension is not something added to the first three dimensions. The Fourth Dimension includes, encompasses and interpenetrates the first three. Memory is just a recording of what appeared to have happened. You put your own spin on it, and your neighbor, although present for the same event, was in a totally different world with its own spin. You can re-write the script and the future changes as does the script. The Time Machine movies are true. You can re-visit the past and change the present. Or you can visit the future and change the present. Crank up the Time Machine of your Imagination and revise your past and future. Scientists may argue whether space is a function of time or time a function of space, but in radical consciousness we realize that both are functions of the imagination. History is His-story and thus it is My-story and Your-story and Our- story. History is open to re-vision. For example, forgiveness re-writes the past, the present and the future. Do not let past hurts define you. Tell yourself a different story this time with a preferred outcome. Write it down. Make up a play and act it out on the stage of your imagination. Create your own theater and cast of stars. Don't write it like you don't want it, or you will continue to have what you have now. History is very fluid. You dreamed up your interpretation of the events in your history and so you can re-dream it. You can get angry and curse at the guy who cut out in front of you, but you could also choose to be thankful that he missed you. You can hate your ex for all of his foolishness or you can imagine him waking up from it and thus you release yourself from all of the foolishness he saw in you. What you release on earth is released in your heavenly mind and what you bind on earth is bound in your imagination. So re-script every awful and painful thing that ever happened to you and don't re-live it any more. It is said that those who do not learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. Those who would re-write history can do so. Just re-vision it the way you now want it to be, and it will be so. You have a second chance, it has been given to you already. Radical Consciousness is that chance. Take it. History was written through imagination and can be changed through imagination. Past, present or future. The past is not, as psychoanalysis has believed, determinative, unless you keep on remembering it and re-empowering it. You dreamed a bad dream; re-dream the incident as it could be or should have been. You thought carelessly; re-think it constructively. You acted foolishly; re-enact it wisely. You felt painfully; re-feel it harmoniously. You wrote amiss; re-write with accuracy. An "accident" happened; re- construct it into a blessing. A "trauma" happened; un- traumatize it. You "lost" something or someone; you can find it. You are in a bad mood; upgrade it. Radical Consciousness is in the business of re-visioning history. Nothing is impossible. Through your imagination, the world of possibilities just keeps on expanding. You are a possibility person if and when you can focus continually on the possibility you want. Every night before you fall asleep, review your day. If you did anything today that you regret or if anyone else did anything that bothers you, go back and change the story, change the outcome. In this manner you do not carry any burden from today into tomorrow. With regular practice, you will lighten your load. You will also realize the power of your thoughts and intentions in a new and profound way. Nothing is set in stone. Memory can be changed. "Behold, I make all things new." History was just an interpretation anyway, a very distorted perception and memory. It was all a soap opera. Forgiveness can be just as real as the offense. As you change the outcome to what you want, you will be able next time to do it right the first time. How you take things is how you experience them. You always have a choice about how you are going to take anything. Re-visioning means that you still have a choice. There are no victims, even in your past. The Infinite Good extends indefinitely into the past and into the future. Re-visioning is a new word for forgiveness. Re-visioning means that we let go of a judgment or an opinion. Letting go of judgments is a path of renewal because all such opinions of what is going on are ego assessments. All judgments, which leave out the Infinite Good, are false. The ego is incapable of true awareness. Forgive the false judgments of others and you are forgiven yours. You don't have to wait until the end of the day to re-vision. The sooner the better. If you practice immediate re-visioning, it won't be long before you catch yourself in the act and revise it before the mistake is even made. We are programmed by our ego. "There is no inevitable permanence in anything. Both past and present continue to exist only because they are sustained by Imagination on some level or other; and a radical transformation of life is always possible by man revising the undesirable part of it." Neville About the Author: Carroll J. Wright, Ph.D. is a professional counselor, spiritual psychotherapist, and researcher in the field of transpersonal psychology,as well as author of several books. He can be reached at: http://myspiritualpsychotherapy.com Added: 03 Apr 2006 Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/24435.html

Beating Insomnia. Seven Secrets to a Peaceful Sleep

It's 4am and you're wide awake.You could be the one in three who have trouble sleeping. So what are the culprits and remedies for insomnia and how much sleep do you really need to beat the bedtime blues?

The truth: Everyone should sleep from seven to nine hours per night regardless of age, according to Edward L. Schneider, MD, dean of the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Sleeping less than seven hours weakens immunity and increases the risk for depression, falls and accidents.

N.A.S.A. research shows the effects on driving after being awake for 20 hours is comparable to a blood alcohol level of 0.05.

Lack of sleep can also lead to raised blood pressure, headaches, increased appetite and weight gain due to increased production of cortisol. This hormone has the opposite effect to what you desire,particularly if you are overweight,because it stores fat and burns muscle.

A University of Pennsylvania study showed that getting two fewer hours sleep a night for one week lead to reduced performance in vigilance tests and an increase in inflammatory markers in the blood stream.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET MORE SLEEP?

FIRST,YOUR BEDROOM. Make sure you have a comfortable bed and pillow. Your bedroom should be dark and quiet. It should also be well ventilated.

It should be peaceful.Jasmine, sandalwood or lavender scents can help.

A warm bath or shower before bed or playing tranquil music can also help. The aim is to slow your mind down. Watching TV in bed may not help, if you wish to relax your mind.

AVOID. Caffeine in the evening. Sleeping tablets can be addictive if used continuously and should be avoided other than for very short time use. Eating heavy meals or drinking alcohol within two hours prior to bedtime can also disrupt sleep. Bedtime snacks, particularly grains and sugars will raise your blood sugar and inhibit sleep according to Dr Joseph Mercola, author of The Total Health Program.

EXERCISE. Regular exercise can reduce stress. A walk before bedtime can not only calm you, but the physical activity can aid digestion. Your dog would also appreciate it!

HERBS AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTS.

Mild herbal supplements like camomile tea, passion flower or valerian may help some people.

VALERIAN. The extract from the root of this plant is a natural sedative and tranquiliser. It can induce relaxation and is very good at quieting the busy mind. It is also a rich source of calcium, potassium and magnesium, all calming and balancing minerals for the nervous system. This herb also appears to increase brain levels of serotonin, a relaxing neurotransmitter.

MAGNESIUM. This mineral is particularly important for your general wellbeing. When combined with calcium, it is an important supplement for healthy bones and protection against osteoporis. It is also important for sleep inducement, muscle relaxation and nervous system calming.

ST JOHNS WORT. This herb is an effective option in helping to relieve mild anxiety and nervous tension. It can aid in the maintenance or improvement of general wellbeing.

A word of caution: St Johns Wort may react with some medications,including warfarin. It is important that you consult with your doctor before using this or any other supplements.

MELATONIN. Melatonin is a natural sleep hormone produced at night by the brain. Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have shown it to be safe, non addictive and virtually free of side effects. It is helpful for those who have light or restless sleep or take some time to fall asleep.

With correct use, it may help you to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. It is an effective cure for jetlag because of its ability to regulate our 24 hour sleep/wake cycle.

Many adults, especially those aged 65 and older have insufficient levels of melatonin to achieve restful sleep, according to Mark A Stengler ND, a naturopathic physician in private practice in La Jolla, California.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Try 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm water, before retiring.

FINALLY, NAPPING. Sleep researchers have widely diverging opinions here. Some state that it can disturb night time sleep, while others say that it can compensate for a night time sleep deficit, especially if below 7 hours. Dr Schneider believes that most people should not nap for more than 20 minutes.

Researchers in the sleep research laboratory at Longborough University, England have found that people are designed for two sleeps a day, the main one at night and a nap in the afternoon.

I have found that an occasional 15 to 20 minute cat nap in the afternoon, particularly if I am feeling tired, can help me sleep better at night.

The bottom line is: What works best for you?

Never start a new treatment before consulting your doctor, especially if you currently are taking medication. The information published in this article is not intended as a substitute for personal medical advice from your physician or other qualified health-care practitioner.

About the Author: Graeme Lanham is a freelance writer and health/fitness researcher. His new book "Your Life Fitness" includes current research studies on fitness and anti-aging. Discover more about the secrets to sleeping well and receive a FREE subscription to his regular subscribers only newsletter at: http://www.yourlifefitness.com Posted: 04-11-2006 Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

What Dreams about Eyes Mean

Eyes are one of the most important distinguishing characteristics of any person, so it is no surprise that eyes often play such a prominent role in our dream lives as well.

One of the most intriguing dreams about eyes is the one in which the dreamer sees his or her own eyes in the dream. Seeing your own eyes in a dream, in a mirror for instance, or even symbolically, is often a representation of knowledge, enlightenment, intellectual awareness, understanding or sudden comprehension.

Dreaming about one’s own eyes can often mean that unconscious or repressed thoughts and images are breaking through to the surface. The eyes are often seen as the window to the soul, so dreams about eyes can often be seen as meaning that hidden desires of the soul are coming through to the surface.

Dreaming of only one eye, or seeing only one eye in a dream, is very significant. The left eye is often seen as a symbol of the moon, while the right eye is seen instead as a symbol of the sun.

Some people have reported dreams in which their eyes turned around in their heads. This kind of dream can symbolize insight and spiritual awareness. Dreaming about inwardly turned eyes can indicate a desire on the part of the dreamer to examine themselves and their psyche.

These kinds of dreams often accompany psychological turning points in the life of the dreamer. This type of dream about eyes can also mean that your subconscious is trying to warn you to be aware of something, or that you need to look within yourself for answers. This kind of dream can be a warning to the dreamer to trust his or her instincts and intuitions.

On the other hand, dreaming that you have something in your eye can mean that there are obstacles in your path. Dreams in which the dreamer has something in his or her eye can be the subconscious way of telling the dreamer that they need to overcome the barriers in their path. These kinds of dreams can also be representations of the dreamer’s tendency to take a critical view of the actions of others.

Dreams in which the dreamer has only one eye can symbolize the dreamer’s refusal to accept or see other points of view. It can mean that the dreamer suffers from a jaded and stubborn way of thinking.

Dreaming that you have a third eye can mean that you should pay attention to your insight and inner vision. Dreams about a third eye are often warnings for the dreamer to look within themselves.

Dreams of injured or closed eyes can symbolize a refusal to confront the truth about something you have been hiding from. This kind of dream is often about avoiding intimacy, or avoiding looking at something you should. Dreams about closed or injured eyes can also be expressions of pain or hurt feelings.

Dreaming about crossed eyes can mean that you are not seeing things properly. Dreams about crossed eyes can indicate that you may be getting mixed up.

Everything You Need to Know About Sleeping Disorders

Sleep is the key to unlocking our health. Good sleep contributes to our health, safety and overall well-being.

The International Classification of Sleep Disorders has documented 81 official sleeping disorders. Among the more common sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, jet lag, shift work, sleepwalking, sleep terrors and restless legs.

Why do we need sleep?

-Memory, Learning and Social Processes Sleep helps your brain to encode and store new information properly. REM sleep activates the parts of the brain that control learning. When you're asleep, the parts of the brain that control emotions, decision-making and social interactions slow down. This allows for optimal performance when you are awake.

-Nervous System Some experts believe that your nervous system repairs itself during sleep. When you experience sleep deprivation, your nervous system is unable to repair itself.

-Immune System Like your nervous system, sleep also keeps your immune system running smoothly. During deep sleep, your body's cells increase production while proteins break down at a slower rate. Without proper sleep, your immune system will become weak and your body becomes susceptible to infection and disease.

-Growth and Development Children need more sleep than adults. Growth hormones are released during sleep, so it's vital for physical and mental development.

There are several common ways to combat sleeplessness. MedGen's Good Night's Sleep is a fast acting sleep aid spray. The spray formula allows for better absorption than sleeping pills taken just before bed.

Insomnia

There are four basic kinds of insomnia: difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up too early, and poor quality sleep. Someone with insomnia may have the following symptoms: feeling tired and grumpy during the day, having trouble concentrating at work, and falling asleep during the day.

How is insomnia treated?

Many cases of insomnia can simply be solved by changes that you can make on your own. If you develop a pattern of healthy sleep, your insomnia problems could be solved.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, OSA, is a sleep related breathing disorder. OSA causes your body to stop breathing during sleep. OSA occurs when the tissue in the back of your throat collapses and blocks your airway. This happens because the muscles in the back of your throat relax while you sleep, gravity will then make your tongue fall back and block your airway. OSA can affect men and women of any age. There is a strong relationship between weight and OSA.

How do you know if you have OSA?

Do you wake from sleep with a choking sound or gasping for breath? Almost all people who have OSA snore loudly, and half of those who snore loudly have OSA.

Treatment for OSA

OSA can be life threatening. It is important to see a sleep specialist immediately if you believe you may be suffering from OSA.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a condition that causes excessive sleepiness. Narcoleptics can be refreshed by short naps, but after two or three hours they're sleepy again. People with narcolepsy can, at times, fall asleep suddenly. These "sleep attacks" can happen while eating, walking or driving.

Do you have narcolepsy?

About one out of every 2,000 people has narcolepsy. There is evidence that narcolepsy is tied to genetics, there is a greater chance that you will have narcolepsy if a relative also has it. Narcolepsy can last your entire life; it usually starts between the ages of 12 and 20. Narcolepsy symptoms do not improve without treatment.

Jet Lag

Also called the time zone change syndrome. Most of us have experienced this type of disorder, caused by air travel through many time zones.

Shift Work

Like jet lag, shift work affects your body clock. A change in work schedule that requires you to be awake during your normal sleep time can cause sleep disorders.

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking happens when you get up from bed and walk around while still asleep. It can also involve a series of other complex actions among them, sitting up in bed, looking around in a confused manner, bolting from bed, and walking or running away. Sleepwalkers may talk or shout as they're walking, their eyes are usually open and glassy.

It is very difficult to wake a sleepwalker. When they do wake up, they will be very confused because they will have no memory of the event. Sleepwalkers may attack the person who wakes them. Sleepwalking is most common in children.

Treatment

Sleepwalking in children is pretty normal. There is usually no need for medical treatment, parents should simply keep a close eye on their children.

About the Author: Olu Bicoy after struggling with sleeping disorders has become an expert on the topic. Olu offers intelligent advice and useful tips regarding sleeping disorders and natural relief and is dedicated to solving sleeping problems in his articles for Medgen. Here you can find more great information and products for sleeping disorders. Article Submitted On: November 15, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Baby Sleep Tips

Getting a baby to adjust to a normal sleep schedule can be a challenge for new parents. Here are some tips so that both you and your baby can get a good night's rest. 1) Establish a routine - A kiss good night or stroking the baby before sleep can calm the child, or bathing and cleaning the child before bed time. Make sure to repeat these patterns. Once the baby becomes familiar with this routine, they will know that it is time to sleep. Also, make sure the baby sleeps in the same place and in the same conditions as much as possible. 2) Try lullaby music - Lullaby music can calm the child as can white noise CD's. The sound of a vacuum cleaner is also known to have a soothing effect. 3) Make sure that the room temperature is not too hot or cold and that the baby is in a location that is away from any noise or distractions that may cause the baby to awaken. 4) Shorten nap time during the day - If the baby sleeps too much during the day, then he or she may not be able to sleep as well at night. When napping, keep the lights on and try not to give the baby any cues that it is bedtime by avoiding the night routine. No need to wake the child from napping, but if conditions are brighter and a bit noisier, then the baby will probably wake up on its own. 5) Rocking - Rocking and massaging the baby can relax the child and this may be good as prelude to sleeping through the night. 6) Read a story - Read a story or spend some time with the baby before bed, instead of just dropping the baby off in the crib and leaving. This extra time will allow the baby to transition into sleep. 7) Feeding - Make sure the baby is getting good nutrition. If you must feed the baby in the middle of the night, make sure to keep the lights dim so as to not disturb the baby's sense of time. 8) Make sure that it is quiet at night and that there is activity during the day. Babies need to learn the difference between night and day. Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the resource box below remains in tact and the hyperlinks stay active.

About the Author: Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. For more related articles, go to Baby Lullaby (http://babylullaby.bravehost.com) and Baby shower information (http://www.legitimateopportunities.com/baby). Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Do Sleeping Pills Help?

Sleep apnea is a serious problem with several solutions. Now the challenge would be to find that single solution that is effective for you. You can change your lifestyle, change your diet or change your sleeping habits. If you exerted all your effort to attain a good night sleep but to no avail, you can head on to the drugstore and get yourself some over-the-counter sleeping pills. Those sleeping pills that you can avail of without a prescription are usually sedating antihistamines. There are also approved sleeping pills that your physician can prescribe after a consultation. These would include temazepam, benzodiazepine, zolpidem and zaleplo. There is still a controversy in using sleeping pills to stimulate sleep. Sleeping pills are not for everyone and it has different effects to different people. The next morning after taking in some pills, one may feel alive and enthusiastic while some people would feel dazed and unsteady. There are some instances when users take in the pill for several weeks and they would somehow create dependency on the pill and the pill would start to lose its effectiveness. This is actually dangerous and can result to rebound insomnia. When this happens, after patients stopped taking in the sleeping pills there sleep apnea would come back and it would usually take additional medication to properly treat their sleeping condition. It is important to note that sleeping pills are not long-term solution to your sleeping disorder. It would just allow you to sleep for a certain duration. It is a short-term resolution and wouldn’t treat sleep apnea itself. There are various side effects of sleeping pills, both good and bad. It is important to consult your doctor on which sleeping pill to use and in what dosage. If you have an ailment or any kind of disease, be sure to point that one out to your doctor as well. Oftentimes, insomnia is related to psychological issues. It is advised to let go of any depression, stress and anxiety before sleeping. Always exercise proper emotional training when in medication for sleeping pills to be efficient and effective.

About the Author: Jason Rickard is the owner of http://www.yourfavouriteshop.com - Offering a variety of White Noise CDs to help block noise and relieve the symptoms of tinnitus, hypertension, colic and more - Visit http://www.hapahapa.com for more articles. This article was posted on October 25, 2006 Article Source: articlecity

Does Sleep Deprivation Lead To Insanity?

One of the biggest misconceptions about sleep is that it if you go for a couple of days with no sleep, you will end up losing your sanity. Eye opening discoveries were made a few years ago, and this has changed this great misunderstanding about sleep. A man named Robert McDonald holds the world record for having stayed up for almost nineteen days with no sleep. All that was reported was extreme drowsiness, and intense difficulty with concentration. Another person by the name of Randy Gardener went without sleep for eleven days and again the same was reported. These cases cleared the biggest misconception about sleep, which was that sleep deprivation leads to insanity. It is clear that sleep deprivation does not lead to you losing your sanity but in fact here is a really surprising fact for you. In a recent study on over one million participants, it was discovered that those who slept less, actually went on to live a longer life. This excludes the extra time gained by sleeping less. In some cases, lack of sleep was reported as a major problem. For example, many insomniacs experience hallucinations, slow speech, movement, reactions and poor concentration. This however does not confirm that lack of sleep can lead to insanity. Hallucinations and other signs of lack of sleep mentioned above are temporary and can be cured upon a good days sleep. One astonishing discovery made recently on the aspect of sleep is that sleep interferes with memory. Memory has a very clear link with sleep. An experiment conducted on individuals who had not gone to sleep for nearly two days showed that their memory retention on identifying individual faces was weak and difficult for the subject. However the subjects were able to distinguish familiar faces from the unfamiliar ones with a positive outcome. This in some way can be the reason from where, the false theory of insufficient sleep can lead to insanity, may have been derived. Many people today complain from the lack of sleep and blame many of their health problems due to the insufficient sleep. Experts argue that any association between sleep and health problems almost always emerge weak at best and could without difficulty be explained by other causes.

About the Author: Jason Rickard is the owner of Your Favourite Shop - http://www.yourfavouriteshop.com - Offering White Noise and Relaxation CDs - Visit Hapa Health - http://www.hapahapa.com for more articles. This article was posted on September 20, 2006 Article Source: articlecity

Common Symbols Seen in Dreams

The objects, symbols and people we see in our dreams can be baffling and confusing at times. Dreams seem to contain their own particular language, and that language can be difficult to read for those who are unfamiliar with dream symbolism. There are a number of symbols in dreams that are thought to be universal. Some of these universal themes include flying, falling, losing teeth, and failing a test. In addition to these universal symbols, however, there are a number of other important symbols encountered in dreams.

Angels

Angels are typically seen as symbols of goodness, purity and wisdom. The appearance of angels in a dream can be a representation of the quest for spiritual goodness, or a desire to improve your live. Angels can also be symbols of enlightenment. Angels often appear in dreams as guides or teachers. The more spiritually minded often see the appearance of angels as omens or messages.

Animals

Animals encountered in dreams are often symbols of our own animal nature or baser instincts. Animals can also be used by the dreaming mind to symbolize repressed desires.

The exact interpretation of an animal dream depends in large measure on the type of animal in the dream. The key to interpreting an animal dream is to examine the nature of the animal dreamed about.

Black

Dreams about black objects can symbolize a fear of aging and death. Black can also represent a perceived void in the dreamer’s life.

Blood

Blood in the dream world can represent power and vitality, but the exact meaning of blood in a dream is depending on the context of the dream. Violent dreams where blood is spilled can represent an emotional upheaval or a loss of control. On the other hands, blood on the hands can represent feelings of guilt.

Cars

Driving a car in your dream can represent the joy of freedom, while dreaming of a car out of control can symbolize danger or a loss of control.

Dancing

A dream dance can have many different meanings, depending on the nature of the dance and its context. Dancing can be a symbol for sex, or for romance. Dancing in a dream can also be a symbol of freedom.

Eggs

Dreaming about eggs can mean a striving for renewal or rebirth, or a feeling of wholeness and unity. Dreaming of broken eggs, on the other hand, can represent a shattering of faith or a shattering of illusions.

Fog

Dreaming of fog can mean the dreamer is confused. Fog in a dream can also mean you are ready to explore unexplored parts of your life or your personality.

Gate

A dream gate can be either an entrance or an exit, deepening on which way it is swinging.

Illness

Dreaming about sickness can be an indication that you need to seek help for a physical ailment. The unconscious mind can be more aware of the body’s condition than the conscious mind.

Keys

Finding keys in a dream can indicate you have been keeping a secret, or that you are locking away a secret life.

Mountains

Dreams in which you are climbing a mountain can symbolize achieving a goal or reaching for higher levels of success. Dreams in which you are climbing down a mountain can mean that you have reached your goals.

Owl

Dreams of owls can represent the need for knowledge and wisdom. In some cases, the owl can be a physical representation of the subconscious mind. In many cases, owls are used to deliver messages in dreams.

Road

The road seen in a dream can indicate the direction the dreamer is headed, and the nature of the road can indicate the perceived nature of the journey. A long straight road can mean smooth sailing ahead, while a winding or bumpy road can indicate perceived difficulties along the way.

Stairs

Dreams of climbing stairs can mean a reaching or a yearning for higher levels of awareness, while deems of descending stairs can mean you fear a diminishing status.

Underground

Dreaming of going underground can symbolize a journey to the subconscious, or it can mean that the dreamer is wrestling with issues he or she is afraid to face. In addition, venturing underground during a dream can mean the dreamer is ready to explore previously hidden issues.

Alzheimer’s And Sleep

If you are the caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's, you may have noticed a change in their sleeping habits. Is this normal? People often assume that as we get older, we need less sleep. This is true for many people, but not for everyone. Even in old age everyone has their own sleeping pattern which suits them best. The sleep needs of an Alzheimer's disease sufferer may or may not change, but what often happens is that their sleep cycle becomes reversed. In other words, they may sleep all day and be wide awake at night. This isn't a problem in itself – though it can be very distressing, and tiring for their caregivers. Especially if they become disruptive and noisy by moving around in the main living areas acting as though it is daytime. It's very tempting to use medication to help the Alzheimer's disease sufferer sleep at night. Though eventually it may become necessary, sedatives can often exacerbate their confused mental state, which then makes the person more difficult to care for. It is a vicious cycle. A small glass of their favorite alcoholic beverage is often a good idea, or perhaps a warm drink – though urinary incontinence may need to be considered when giving them a night-time drink. It is much more appropriate to keep the Alzheimer's sufferer awake as long as possible during the day (though it is often tempting to let them sleep for long periods, as this gives the caregiver some time to do chores, have a few minutes to themselves, or even take a nap. Make sure it isn't another problem that is causing the restless nights. This could include incontinence, night cramps, or joint pain. Sometimes simply giving the patient two paracetamol just before bedtime can alleviate these problems, so it's worth checking out. Keeping the Alzheimer's sufferer gently active during the day is a good way of helping them to re-establish a sleeping pattern that allows them to settle again at night. If this proves to be unworkable, many people use night sitting services. These can be very useful as the Alzheimer's sufferer is able to wander about closely supervised, and the caregiver is able to have a few nights of undisturbed sleep. Even if a service like this is only be used for one or two nights a week, it allows the caregiver to get some quality sleep. And a well-slept caregiver is more likely to give good care.

About the Author: John Brown is an author for several Internet magazines, on health advice and health tips topics. Posted: 20-11-2006 Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

Are You A Sleep Deprived Zombie?

Do you get enough sleep? Chances are that you don’t. Many people living in modern industrial societies suffer from a chronic, and worsening sleep deficit. Until a few decades ago, most people lived lives so very different from ours that we would scarcely recognize them. There were no electric lights. There weren’t any faxes or e-mails. There was no Internet, and no television. Once the sun went down, most of the day’s activities came to an end. People worked very hard physically, and only a very small minority had what we would call “white collar” jobs. And most people, on average, slept nine to nine and a half hours each night. For most of us today, an average of nine hours sleep each night is an impossible dream. In our very busy schedules, something has to give, and quite often the choice many of us are making is to cut back on our hours of sleep. If you listen to, or read some of the popular current guides to success, you will usually be instructed to work hard, play hard, study hard, be more outgoing, and gain every advantage you can. The struggle to the top can be ruthless. Why, even the struggle to stay where you are and not to lose your place can be ruthless. Where do many of these success guides and gurus tell you to cut back? Why, on your hours of sleep. They’ll tell you that sleeping more than five or six hours a night is a waste of time. They’ll tell you that the world is moving ahead while you are dozing, and that you’ll never catch up if you indulge your desire to sleep. If you snooze, you lose! They’ll tell you that you don’t really need those extra two or three hours of sleep each night. That it’s just a bad habit you’ve developed. That it’s self-indulgent. That a full night’s sleep is the booby prize for losers in the game of life. Unfortunately, this advice goes against thousand of years of human biology. It’s true that some of us really do need only five or six hours of sleep each night, but those people are in a minority. Most of us require seven, eight, or even more hours of good quality sleep every night in order to function at our best intellectually, physically and emotionally. In sleep deprivation experiments conducted on volunteers, it has been found that even a few days of sleep loss produce a marked negative effect on a person’s mental abilities. It becomes much harder to focus mentally and to process information. Decisions take longer to make, and are of poorer quality. Learning and remembering new information becomes more difficult, and it becomes harder to recall information that was previously learned. Creativity declines, while mistakes increase. A person who hasn’t had enough restorative sleep will have difficulty handling technical machinery. In addition, lack of sleep causes emotional impairment and difficulty with mental processing. As people become more sleep deprived, they may experience more depression and mood swings. Tempers flare more often, and sleep deprived people become less cooperative with others. Lack of sufficient sleep is believed to have contributed to many well-known accidents, such as the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle, the near meltdown at Three Mile Island, and the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. It is believed that lack of sleep contributed to poor decision making in each of these incidents, with disastrous results. If you add to these examples the many hundreds of thousands of other accidents every year caused by sleep deprivation, it becomes clear that cutting back on our sleep may not really be the solution for greater productivity we are looking for. If you are studying for important exams, you will be better off getting sufficient sleep the night before, rather than spending the whole night desperately trying to cram more information into your head. Your brain uses its sleeping hours to process the information of the day and to consolidate new memories. Cutting back on sleep in order to study instead will interfere with this process. How can you tell if you are getting enough sleep? The ideal amount varies from person to person, and it is not always the same. Ask yourself: When you wake up, do you feel refreshed, or is your body longing for more sleep? Do you rely on a lot of coffee to get you through the day? If you are not getting enough good quality sleep, make the effort to cut your consumption of caffeinated beverages to just one or two cups a day, or stop drinking caffeine all together. In order to have a more restful evening, don’t drink anything caffeinated after lunch. There are plenty of beverages without caffeine that you can substitute. For most people, a cup of warm milk before bedtime will promote sleepiness. Some of us are physically addicted to caffeine and will actually go through withdrawal symptoms if we try to cut back, or quit using it altogether. You may find that when you stop ingesting caffeine, it takes up to two weeks to get over your physical craving for it. In the meantime you may experience headaches, dizziness and insomnia. Another factor that can disrupt your sleep patterns is the consumption of alcohol. Although alcohol initially can make you drowsy, it suppresses the REM stage of sleep, which appears to be essential in restoring a sense of wellbeing. There are many other possible causes of poor sleep. If poor quality sleep is a problem for you, it will be worth the effort to become a detective and track down the cause. Often the problems of poor sleep can easily be fixed. A poor quality mattress will lead to poor quality sleep. So will poor ventilation in your bedroom. Or too much light. Or too much noise. Or a television set. Are you getting enough exercise? Most of us today do not move our bodies nearly as much as our bodies were designed to move. If we have an office job we are often so mentally fatigued by the time we get home that we don’t want to get off the couch. Our brains may be exhausted, but our body still needs exercise. However, vigorous exercise too close to bedtime can leave you too stimulated to sleep. Sleep experts advise: ·Keep a regular schedule for sleeping. · Maintain a comfortable, restful bedroom. ·Don’t use your bed for anything other than sex and sleep. ·Don’t have the television in your bedroom. ·Get at least half an hour of physical exercise a day, preferably outdoors. ·Slow down your physical and mental activities as bedtime approaches. ·Cultivate a relaxed, calm state of mind at all times, but particularly before bedtime. ·Avoid shift work. ·Avoid stimulants or alcohol before bedtime. If you try all these recommendations and you still feel that you are not sleeping well, you may have a medical condition that interferes with the quality of sleep you are getting, or you may be taking medication that interferes with your sleep. If you always wake up feeling exhausted, you may be suffering from a medical condition such as fibromyalgia, or sleep apnea. If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, anxious and unable to sleep again, this can be caused by depression or stress. These are conditions that should be discussed with your doctor.

About the Author: This article is taken from the new book by Royane Real titled "How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative" If you want to learn how to make your brain work better, download it today or get the paperback version at www.luly.com/real Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Understanding Your Dreams

The meaning of dreams has been of interest to mankind throughout history. Dreams come to us in a variety of forms that range from frightening to erotic. We experience images, sounds, sensations, and voices in our dreams that we are unable to influence or control. Do our dreams have special meanings? Are they brought on by incidents that have affected our lives today or possibly sometime in the past? There are many theories why we dream, where in the brain dreams originate, or even why dreams occur at all. It is not clear what the neurological cause is, or in what phase of sleep dreaming takes place. Many believe dreams are reflections of the unconscious and some that they are predictions of the future or even messages from God. Dreams often inspire artistic and other forms of inspiration. Many dreams of a bizarre or strange nature have been interpreted by some as divine gifts, messages from the past, or predictions of the future. According to most scientists dreams occur with equal frequency in most people. The ability to recall the dream varies greatly with individuals however. Most dreams it is believed occur during the (REM) sleep, which is a form of sleep that is experienced in the latter portion of the sleep cycle. According to http://www.wicipedia.org http://www.dreams.budsbestbuys.com , both Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung identify dreams as an interaction between the unconscious and the conscious. Jung argued that the dream's bizarre quality is an efficient language, comparable to poetry and uniquely capable of revealing the underlying meaning. While Freud felt there was an active censorship against the unconscious even during sleep. They both agreed that the unconscious mind is the dominant force of the dream. Lucid Dreams Many books, charts, dream dictionaries, and even dream software programs are available today for those wishing to understand the meaning of their dreams. The most popular and by far the most intriguing books are about lucid dreaming. A lucid dream is one where the dreamer recognizes they are in a dream and can take control of it. Lucid dreamers have the power to control their dreams and are capable of creating many fantasies such as making new objects appear, change their form, or even fly. There are many forms of lucid dreams, having in common the fact that at some point in the dream the dreamer recognizes the experience as a dream. While lucid dreaming has been proven to exist, frequent lucid dreaming requires much practice and dedication. Many people practice specific techniques of lucid dreaming for personal or spiritual purposes. For more information about dreams and their meanings, a complete A to Z free dream dictionary, and an outstanding book about lucid dreams, visit The The Dream Dictionary at:http://www.dreams.selectionsguide.com http://www.dreams.budsbestbuys.com About the Author: Dictionary Ken Asselin is Webmaster for the Selections Guide and Buds Best Buys Shopping and Information Websites. Added: 11 Apr 2006

Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/25060.html

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are caused by a variety of things, including hidden medical problems. Most sleep problems are annoying, but some sleep disorders can be life threatening. You should see your doctor if you experience the following sleep problems on a regular basis:

1. It takes more than 30 minutes for you to fall asleep most nights

2. You get up after sleeping for only a few hours and can't go back to sleep

3. You feel excessively sleepy or fatigued during normal wakeful hours, and your fatigue interferes with school or work

4. You get up feeling as tired as you did when you went to sleep, no matter how many hours you slept

5. You experience frequent memory lapses

6. You snore loudly most nights

7. You wake up every morning with a headache or heartburn

8. You experience vivid dreams soon after falling asleep

9. You doze off at inappropriate times (during a business meeting or while talking on the phone)

10. Your bed partner complains that you kick them at night 11. You awaken from a sound sleep screaming or trying to fight

Primary Sleep Disorders

There are four primary sleep disorders:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening disorder. It's caused by a narrowing or collapse of the upper airway during sleep, this restricts or prevents breathing. Repeated collapsing of the airway throughout the night disrupts and fragments your sleep. It may produce hypoxemia and other cardiovascular stress.

Sleep apnea may contribute to myocardial ischemia (depriving the heart muscle of oxygen) and myocardial infarction (heart attack) in patients with coronary artery disease. Sleep apnea affects approximately four percent of middle-aged men and two percent of middle-aged women.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include chronic, loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, drowsiness while driving, personality changes or cognitive difficulties. Obesity, a thick neck, systemic hypertension and nasopharyngeal narrowing are also indicators of obstructive sleep apnea.

Insomnia

Patients with insomnia have trouble getting to sleep and remaining asleep. Insomnia is a widely known sleep complaint; approximately 30 percent of American adults report occasional insomnia and nearly 10 percent report chronic insomnia. Women report insomnia more than men and the problem seems to increase with age.

Insomnia varies according to the duration of the symptoms. Acute insomnia usually results from a stressful life event or a change in sleep environment or sleep schedule. Chronic insomnia may be caused by a medical condition, psychiatric disorder or other factors.

Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep

The symptoms of restless legs syndrome include sensations of creeping, crawling, pulling and tingling. This causes an irresistible urge to move your legs. These symptoms usually occur just before the onset of sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep.

Patients with restless legs syndrome often have periodic limb movements in sleep. The limb movements are also associated with partial or complete awakening. The prevalence of this disorder increases with age, about one third of restless leg syndrome patients are over the age of 60.

Patients with restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements in sleep may have problem sleepiness or non-refreshing sleep because of frequent awakenings that may not be remembered.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that produces severe problem sleepiness. Primary symptoms of narcolepsy are excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness, regardless of adequate nocturnal sleep. Narcolepsy is also characterized by cataplexy, sudden episodes of muscle weakness triggered by emotional reactions like laughter, anger or fear.

Other classic symptoms of narcolepsy include sleep paralysis (a temporary inability to talk or move on falling asleep or awakening) and hypnagogic hallucinations (vivid, frightening, dreamlike experiences that happen while dozing or falling asleep).

Narcolepsy first becomes evident during adolescence, but it can also occur in children. An accurate narcolepsy diagnosis will require testing and evaluation by a sleep specialist.

Managing sleep disorders

For patients with sleep disorders, treatment options range from behavioral therapies to surgical interventions in some cases. Safe, natural and non-surgical treatments are available over the counter. Some of these include SNORenz and Good Night's Sleep, or a combo of the two called Sleepytime SNORenz. These highly effective blends offer a unique and non-invasive alternative to some of the harsher treatments out there.

About the Author: Olu Bicoy after struggling with sleeping disorders has become an expert on the topic. Olu offers intelligent advice and useful tips regarding sleeping disorders and natural relief and is dedicated to solving sleeping problems in his articles for Medgen. Here you can find more great information and products for sleeping disorders. Article Submitted On: November 15, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Dreams of Being Chased

Dreams of being chased probably have a deep, evolutionary origin. After all, our ancient ancestors actually were chased by all manner of predators, and this fear of being chased and caught has remained part of our hard wired nature.

Even today, after all fears of predation have been removed from our waking lives, dreams of being chased are there to remind us of our earlier animal nature. In modern societies, dreams of being chased can often arise from feelings of general anxiety experienced in the waking hours.

The way the dreamer responds to feels of pressure and anxiety while awake is often reflected in the dream state. Chase dreams can manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Often the dreamer will dream about being chased by an attacker or pursuer who the dreamer fears will hurt or kill them. In these dreams, the dreamer attempts to run from, hide from or otherwise outwit the pursuer. These dreams can often be very realistic, and chase dreams are some of the most commonly reported nightmares.

Chase dreams can be reactions to events in your waking life. For instance, there may be something you are supposed to do but have been avoiding. If this proposed action is a source of fear, stress and confusion, is can sometimes manifest in your dream life as an attacker or pursuer. Instead of facing your fear, you are running from it, and the attacker in your dreams represents the thing you are trying to get away from or avoid in real life.

People troubled by recurring dreams of being chased often benefit from an examination of their waking life. Finding the thing that they are running from in real life, and confronting it, is often an effective way of banishing frequent chases dreams.

In some cases the pursuer or attacker in a chase dream represents not an outside force but part of your self instead. Unresolved feelings of anger, jealousy and fear can often enter your dreams in the form of a threatening or frightening figure. In reality, the attacker in your dreams is a representation of these issues in your waking life.

Dreams where you are being chased can be easy to turn around for many people. Some people are better than others at taking an active role in their dream, but everyone who is aware of their dream should at least try to resolve a frightening dream. For instance, the next time you are being chased in a dream, try turning around and confronting the pursuer. Ask the pursuer what he or she wants and why they are chasing you.

People who are indulging in self destructive behaviors, or consumed by self destructive emotions like jealously or anger, are often troubled by dreams of being chased. Chase dreams can be an attempt by your subconscious to reach you and call attention to your self destructive behaviors.

Of course chase dreams do not always have such symbolic interpretation. Often dreams where you are being chased represent literal fear of becoming a crime victim. These type of direct fear chase dreams are more common among women than men. Women, especially those living in high crime areas, often feel vulnerable and afraid in their waking lives, and this fear can spill over into the dream state and manifest itself as a chase dream.

No matter what the reason for the chase dream, it is usually possible to reduce the occurrence of such dreams. The first step is a careful examination of the factors that are causing these dreams to occur. Whether the dream is a manifestation of a symbolic or a literal fear, confronting the thing you are afraid of is the best way to banish these frightening nighttime visitors.

Advice On Effective Sleep For Greater Health

EFFECTIVE SLEEP SOLUTIONS Effective sleep solutions are available to anyone who suffers from any type of sleep disorder. As part of our effective sleep solutions this article will answer some of the questions that you may have. Are you aware that you will spend almost one third of your life sleeping? During the time our body is awake the nerve cells constantly active become more or less fatigued. This is why you may need a nap some times during the day. Sleep gives the body cells a chance to throwing out the waste and the opportunity to repair themselves. To insure a recovery period from such fatigue, we undergo the periodic loss of consciousness known as sleep. Sleep is a very important function, and though we may put off going to sleep, it will eventually take over. Necessity and importance of Sleep Sleep is a usual and necessary part of our survival and having a good sleep solution plan is essential to brain function. As each person rests, the body rejuvenates, so that it will be ready to function properly the next day. What happens when you body gets too much or too little sleep. The brain causes stress on the body and you become easily irritated and grumpy. When you sleep you are giving your body a mini-vacation. Sleep also gives your brain a chance to sort things out. Although it is not known what functions take place in the brain while you are sleeping, it is believed that this is the time that the brain sorts and store information, replace chemicals or corrects imbalances, and solves problems in the body. Sleep is a type of unconsciousness state, and is essential to good health. It refreshes the body and the mind, and helps the body heal from trauma of the day. If you get enough sleep regularly every night you will feel and work better. Sleep effectiveness Sleeping and waking are part of your internal clock controlled by your brain. How much sleep should a person get each night? The amount of sleep a person needs depends a lot on his or her age. As an example babies sleep about 14-15 hours, while older people need only 7-8 hours each night. Most kids between the ages of 5 and 12 years old somewhere in between need 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Some kids might need more and some need less. However, can we have less than 8 hours of sleep? Find out more! It depends on the individual. Some people need a great deal of sleep, while others require only a minimum of sleep. The individual needs to get the amount of sleep necessary to feel alert, healthy, and totally fit. If an individual is dragging during the night then he needs to get more sleep. Some people may require more sleep due to their circadian rhythm and their metabolism. Their body processes may require more time, so they may need more sleep to rest and restore their body. Skipping one night's sleep can make a person irritable and inept. Once a person misses two nights of sleep, that person will have problems thinking and doing things. The brain can no longer do their normal tasks as well. After five nights without sleep, a person will hallucinate. Eventually, it becomes impossible for the brain to give its directions to the rest of the body without sleep. The amount of sleep not only affects your mortality but also your personality. Some people are by nature long sleepers, and some are short sleepers. Studies show that people, who tend to sleep longer, tend to be more introverted and creative. People who require less sleep tend to be more extroverted and concrete. Whether or not you are a long sleeper or a short one, getting too few hours of sleep can make one cranky and less energetic, which the majority of people have probably experienced. Continual lack of sleep can lead to mental issues such as depression, deprive one of thinking clearly, and hinder the quality of work. Recorded brain waves have helped in the study of the different stages of sleep. The studies have indicated that there are four stages of sleep that occur in cycles each lasting about ninety minutes. When you first fall asleep, your brain waves will slow down, as you become more relaxed. As you experience the third stage your body and mind become more unaware of the world outside. The fourth stage is the deepest stage in the cycle known as Rapid eye movement, which is the stage in which most people dream. After ten or more minutes of REM sleep, the sleep cycle repeats. This goes on all through the night at least three or four times. During REM sleep, not only do your eyes move around quickly, your heart rate increases, and your automatic body processes speed up. These periods last about twenty minutes a stretch and occur four or five times during the night, alternating between REM sleep and non-REM sleep. During this time your body functions slow down and you get your deepest sleep. Myths of Sleep If you sleep longer, you'll be more awake and have more energy in your life. Getting more sleep than your body needs actually will rob you of energy and damage your effective sleeping patterns. If your body sleeps longer than it needs to you put stress on a number of other factors such us your melatonin hormone levels, your exposure to sunlight, and your body temperature rhythm. Sleeping for longer than normal periods of time or trying to catch up on sleep only weakens your effective sleep system, which in turn can lower your immune system. You need to Catch Up on Sleep that you have missed. Unless you have not slept for several days, there is no need to catch up on sleep. During the first 3 - 4 hours of sleep is when we experience most of State 3 and Stage 4 sleep. Sleeping longer than you usually do is not beneficial in anyway. I feel low on energy; I must not be getting enough sleep. Quantity is not the answer here, quality is. People have a tendency to think that sleep is a very basic thing. The truth is that sleep is actually quite a complex system that most of us take for granted. Due to the fact that most people do not understand how our inner sleep system works, we aren't aware of the actions being taking that are damaging our effective sleep systems and patterns that are depriving us of energy. Copyright (c) 2005 All Rights Reserved

About the Author: Matt Daren Visit http://www.sleeptalks.com We can help you sleep more effectively and feel more energy in your life than before. Discover more in one of the life mystery! Article Source: www.iSnare.com