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Sunday, July 29, 2007

Dream Telepathy Researcher Fights Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston Inside a Sleeper's Mind

Dreams are a doorway to invisible realms that reveal our hidden psychic and shamanic abilities. Consider this classic story of dream research. On the night of March 12, 1964, the renowned psychologist Calvin Hall was monitoring EEG output at Duke University's Institute for Dream Research. In a nearby room, Robert Van De Castle was the research subject being monitored while sound asleep.

Dr. Hall was understandably skeptical about "paranormal dream activity" as are most psychologists even today. To find out for himself--and probably with the intent of disproving that the contents of his mind could in any way influence the dreams of someone in another location--he performed a remarkable experiment.

When the EEG monitor indicated to Dr Hall that Van De Castle was in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, associated with dreaming, Hall focused his attention on remembering the (Feb 25th, 1964) boxing match between Cassius Clay--now Muhammad Ali-- and Sonny Liston.

In addition to imagining the fight, Calvin Hall dramatized the experience by throwing a few punches in the air himself--at a very safe distance from the actual fight, and from the dreamer. Who would expect that such an activity could be perceived by a person sleeping in another room? Imagine Hall's shock when he awoke Van De Castle after the REM phase and asked if he had any dream material and his answer included these details:

"There was a boxing match going on. There were two young lightweight boxers who were fighting and one of them was doing much better than the other. It seemed his opponent became vanquished and then another lightweight contender got into the ring with him. The new contender now started to give a pretty savage beating to the other boxer... I remember standing up and throwing a few punches in the air myself because I was so involved with the action in the ring." (Our Dreaming Mind, Van De Castle, 1994)

It is noteworthy that the boxing scene interrupted a dream about unrelated material. As if a television channel had been changed, the boxing scene was inserted as noises that we hear in sleep sometimes are; the original dream then resumed. But what was inserted here was not something like a train whistle (the external sound most likely to work its way into your dreams).

These intrusions were thoughts occurring in another person's mind--who was not even in the same room! This "private" mental activity was "overheard" and inserted into Van De Castle's dream. This is how attuned we are in sleep and how capable of mind to mind (M2M) communication humans are.

It is amusing that the fighters were dreamed as lightweights when they surely were not... but in the endless humor of dreams, this detail might be a result of the fight being filtered through a scientific researcher's psyche. While Hall may have been a "heavyweight" in dream research, he would have been a real lightweight in that fight!

The dreamer is identified with observing the fight just as Hall was but the dreamer experienced Hall's standing up and throwing punches as if it were his own action. He lived out the physical actions as dream experiences while viewing the mental images as an observer. This is a complex, stereophonic mind-to-mind transmission. How often, you might wonder, are our dreams, which we presume are inwardly originating, actually transmitted by the actions and/or thoughts of another?

Calvin Hall attempted to send telepathic messages to Van De Castle on 17 different occasions: "He concluded that some representation of the intended target material was detectable on thirteen of those occasions, for a success rate of 76%" (Our Dreaming Mind, 1994). If this was an attempt to disprove mental telepathy in dreams it was a pretty stunning failure! Hall repeated these successes with five other dream subjects and later published "Experiments on Telepathically Influenced Dreams."

Dreams not only carry meaning and guidance from within, and from other human beings, they reveal to us the fuller capacities of mind with which we are all endowed.

About the Author: Ron Masa, Ph.D Get the free 8 part email class "Discover Your Dreams: A Beginners Guide to Dream Interpretation" and newsletter. DreamTalk is a low-cost dreamwork email group and TeleDream is a weekly telephone dream group which Dr Masa, Debbie Hart and Dr Marjorie Miles co-moderate. Work on your dreams and help others too. Ron Masa, Ph.D. wrote columns on dreams while in private practice for 25 years. He and Debbie Hart co-lead University of Yourself.com: "Helping You Hear the Guide Inside." Article Submitted On: November 22, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Sleep On It!

What do you think about before you go to sleep? Does it really matter? What you think about could be very beneficial and profitable to your life. While your conscious mind takes a break as you sleep, your subconscious mind actually stays very active. Because of this, the thoughts that you think about before you drift off to sleep are vitally important. Many people end their day by watching the news, which is usually negative and depressing. When they go to sleep after pouring all that junk into their minds, they are basically saying, "Okay subconscious mind, work on all that stuff." And people wonder why they wake up depressed, negative, and with no ambition for the new day ahead? Your subconscious mind is at work day and night, including throughout your slumber. Have you ever heard the expression, "I'm going to sleep on it?" I remember watching a movie and when faced with a problem, the main character said, "I'll sort it out in the morning." Many times after "sleeping on it," a person wakes up with a solution, or at least, a direction in which to proceed. One day, a man had diligently worked for hours towards a solution to a problem, yet still knew that there was something missing. He went to sleep, still trying to grasp that missing piece. His thoughts before he fell asleep were focused on unearthing the solution. He said the next morning he suddenly woke up feeling "the greatest excitement." In a short amount of time thereafter, Albert Einstein wrote his first draft of a new article - a full thirty pages. It was the start to his theory of relativity. There are a lot of people who wake up right before their alarm goes off. Does that happen to you? Is it just a habit, or, before falling asleep, do you consciously think about what time you want to get up? I think it is the latter. Personally, the only time I use an alarm clock is when I need to get up much earlier than usual. However, every time, it seems like I still wake up before the alarm goes off. Before falling asleep, I was very aware that I needed to get up early...and the next morning, my subconscious mind stepped in, telling me it was 4:30. Why not tell your subconscious mind some really positive things before you nod off to sleep? Things like, "I am going to wake up happy and refreshed," or "I am going to get some good, peaceful sleep and tomorrow I will get a lot done," are some excellent examples. There are many programs that suggest doing your affirmations right before you go to sleep. Some recommend reviewing your goals at that time. The Bible talks about not going to sleep angry. Why? Because the Creator designed the brain and He knows that it's not beneficial to you. Here's something to try. Take note of what kind of mood you are in as you go to sleep. Emotions are a product of your thoughts. Change your thinking so that you don't allow yourself to fall asleep in a doubtful mood, or in a depressed mood, or in an angry mood. If you fall asleep in a negative mood, you are impeding the work that your subconscious mind could be doing for you while you sleep. You are losing ground and also losing precious time. Whether it is your affirmations, or goals, or something you are working on and trying to solve, take careful note of what you are thinking about right before you fall asleep. Your subconscious mind is going to be working all night on something anyway, so why not give it something profitable? Successful people develop successful habits - it just doesn't happen automatically. You can take charge of your life in so many little seemingly insignificant steps. However, some of these "little" things will reap enormously profitable dividends in your life. So have a sweet, peaceful, productive sleep!

About the Author: Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years. Michael is the author and producer of "Inspirational Pep Talks", available at http://www.InspirationalPepTalks.com He has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html Posted: 25-10-2006 Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

Friday, July 20, 2007

New Style Waterbeds Help You To Sleep Better

For a long time, water beds have been a popular choice for sleeping on. Many people feel they provide a comfortable sleep you cannot get from a regular mattress. From the first time you lie on a waterbed, you will notice the difference. The waterbed is going to feel much different from your normal spring mattress, obviously. You may also be happy to know that waterbeds of today are much better than those early ones of the past. They are not as wavy or sloshy as they were before. Most come with wave reducers and other features to make it more comfortable for you. The first time you try one, you will never want to go back to your old bed. The new style water beds can offer you an excellent night’s sleep. Now that there are improved wave reducers, you can enjoy your water bed even if you sleep with someone else in your bed. The water bed manufacturer’s have worked very hard to meet consumer demands to make the beds better and more comfortable. They have many new features on them so that you get the best possible sleep out of your bed. No longer will you have to worry about tossing and turning and not sleeping at night. However, you need to know that a waterbed comes with some responsibilities. However, after the fabulous night sleep that you will get, the maintenance will be very worth it. When it comes to taking care of your waterbed, it is very easy to find your supplies. In fact, you might decide that you want to look on the Internet for your parts and supplies. You can buy everything you need for your bed from the Internet and usually save quite a bit from the price of retail. You can get bedding, including luxury linen for waterbeds. You can also get drain and fill kits, frames, headboards and much more. There are items such as under bed drawers or storage options. There are also more cosmetic options for you such as choosing linen for your bed that matches the rest of your room décor. Regular maintenance on your water bed can leave you with a fantastic bed that will last you for years to come. When you get parts and supplies and fill your bed properly, adding conditioner when you need to, you will set your bed up for a long and happy life.

About the Author: Hazel Prechtel is the owner of Fox Beds which is a premier source of information about Beds. For more information, go to: http://foxbeds.com Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

The Truth Behind The Back Sleep Position For Infants

The present threat of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) among infants has created a stir not only to mothers, but to medical experts as well. Over the years, modern science have been looking for better sleeping position that can prevent such tragedy. Among babies, sleeping on one’s back is recommended as opposed to sleeping on one’s stomach. It has been a popular myth that when babies are allowed to sleep on their backs, they are most likely to choke. This is actually not the case. Most babies do vomit or spit during sleep. When this happens, some believed that babies are prone to choking when they are in a back sleep position. The truth is - babies involuntarily swallow any fluid they produce while in sleep. Doctors state that there has been no instance where such incidents were increased with such sleeping position. A distinguished medical organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommended infants to sleep on their backs. Medical experts attest that the back sleep position can decrease the risk of SIDS. Modern research shows that the chances of acquiring SIDS among children were lowered dramatically by almost 40% each year if such sleeping position was implemented. It is actually beneficial for babies if they are in this position as they can easily move their arms and legs. Babies who are 2- 4 months old are likely to shift positions, put them back to the back sleep position by carefully rolling them over. Another option is to carefully swaddle them in a comfortable blanket to prevent them from sleeping on their stomach. You can also get one of those special swaddling blankets available in the market. At first, your babies may find it uncomfortable to sleep on their backs because they naturally sleep on their stomachs. It would be the parents’ or the guardians’ responsibilities to train them in the back sleep position. With enough practice, they would eventually make it a sleeping habit. When training your babies, remember to remind your relatives or babysitters who might put your child into sleep in case of your absence.

About the Author: Jason Rickard is the owner of http://www.yourfavouriteshop.com - Offering White Noise and Relaxation CDs - Visit http://www.hapahapa.com for more articles. This article was posted on October 17, 2006 Article Source: articlecity

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Dreams Are They Good Or Bad?

Dreams that you have at night are bad if they are “Nightmares”, but the dreams you have that make you feel great and inspired – those are “Goodmares”. So have you been have “Nightmares” or “Goodmares”? If you are feeling oppressed or depressed you are probably have the first one, but if you have good things going on you are probably have the second. Some say that the first one could be a premonition of things to come or an evilness in the dreamer. But could it just be an inner talk going on within you that is allowing your mind to create these? I am not a psychologist, have never studied Sigmund Freud and really don’t delve in that area. But I do feel that if you are relaxed and happy with your life, you are more likely to have “Goodmares”. I am not really here to talk about your “..mares” I am really here to talk to you about your Dreams, your Aspirations, your Desires and your Inspirations. One definition the dictionary has for Dream is: “A condition or achievement that is longer for; an aspiration.” That is what is important to you and to your future. Only Children Or Younger People Dream Remember when you used to Dream and let your imagination run wild, when you ran freely through a meadow or traveled to new places or conquered domains – became the King or Queen and ruled over the land. Maybe you dreamed of driving the new car you just saw on the showroom with Mom and Dad or living in the house you saw while driving somewhere with your parents. Those were the good days when you let your imagination run freely and life was grand. Sadly, the times that we Dreamed were mainly in our earlier years and as we grew up, the Dreaming seemed to become less relevant. In Junior High and High School you had different dreams to an extent, when you went to College or started you job you had dreams to some extent. But then reality sets in and you became involved with your career or family or whatever came along and the dreams faded and faded and disappeared. Then your Dreams were replaced with what many call “reality” and it was time to “grow up and forget about the childish things” or maybe it was “what do you want to be when you grow up” question? Some of us have not completely “grown up” yet, we still have times when we dream or “fantasize” about better places and things. But we don’t put action to it because we don’t know how or we are afraid of failure or success or being laughed at by our “friends”. Would true friends laugh at you or would they encourage you? Hummm, that could be food for thought. Could there POWER in a dream? The power of a dream is something you need to realize and grab onto. It is the dreamers such as Edison, Carver, Bell, Stanley, Ford, Trump, Gates, and many more who have had Dreams that propelled them to do what became great things. Their Dreams were the driving force that allowed them to keep “their nose to the grindstone” and accomplish great things. There is such a power there that if harnessed, grabbed onto and acted up will allow you to move forward and off of the “treadmill” that you are on today. Dreams give you hope, they give you power and enthusiasm, a tunnel vision of focus to assist you to motivate you to drive you on an adventure of growth and realization about yourself that you might have buried deep and hidden away. They allow you to use your natural talents and learned talents to the max, if you will allow them to. They are the beginning of the whole process of becoming you were meant to be to accomplish what you were meant to accomplish.

“Those Without Dreams Work For Those With Dreams.” Wealth Builders We all have a destiny, we all have things that we can and should accomplish. To many times we let “life” get in the way and hold us back or hinder us to the point that we give up and believe what the rest of the world says. Get a job, work hard, retire and enjoy your “Golden Years” that is what we did (are doing). I’ve heard it explained very well more than once, “Work 40 hours a week for 40 years and retire with 40% of what you were used to living on!” It is called the 40/40/40 plan and that is the bill of goods we have been sold. Forget those dreams, forget those aspirations and all that childish junk – just do what the rest of us are doing. It is time to break the bondage of fear of failure or fear of success, it is time to stop the negative inner talk and sit down, relax and let yourself dream again. Dream about your house, your car, your boat, your new lifestyle, your garden, your swimming pool, your whatever it is that you have felt you always desired and deserved. Write those dreams down each and everyone of them. Every time a dream comes alive in your mind – write it down and keep track of all of them. Because they are the first step to moving on with your life.

About the Author: Gary is the creator of the Achieving Your True Worth System, a complete system that acts as a guide to a life that is worthwhile and exciting. www.sandgmarketing.com Article Source: http://www.articles411.com

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Having a Tracheostomy to Help Sleep Apnea

A tracheostomy is a somewhat drastic surgery that can be used for a patient suffering from extremely severe sleep apnea. This type of surgery is typically only done if no other form of treatment such as other surgical procedures and the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) have worked and the sleep apnea is considered to be life threatening.

The tracheostomy procedure is actually quite simple. A small hole is made in the patient’s neck and into the windpipe. Then a tube is inserted and the tracheostomy is done. The hole is permanent and the patient is able to breathe easily via the hole in their throat. There are many reasons why this is done as a last resort. Patients may suffer from other medical issues due to the tracheostomy and frankly no one wants a hole in their throat if they can help it. Unfortunately this is a necessity in some potential life and death situations in regards to sleep apnea.

When a tracheostomy is done for reasons of sleep apnea there is a valve which may be closed during the day. This means the patient can breathe and speak normally while they are awake. At night the valve is opened and air flows directly into the tube and to the lungs and vice versa. The tracheostomy is done below where the obstruction lies and prevents further sleep apnea episodes from occurring.

Some of the risks involved in a tracheostomy include the potential for infection, scar tissue problems, bleeding, difficulty with speech, and potential lung infections. Anyone with a tracheostomy should take great care immediately after surgery and follow all instructions given by their doctor carefully. Frequent checkups are also important to ensure everything is looking and working as it should.

In addition to the physical risks associated with a tracheostomy, there are many psychological risks as well. Immediately after surgery many people have a hard time coming to terms with the change in their appearance and suffer from low self esteem and depression. It is important that you talk to your doctor about any concerns and consider seeing a therapist for any unresolved issues.

About the Author: Rudy Watkins discusses sleep apnea in children and other sleep apnea related topics for the Apnea Guide website. Find out how to get more free sleep apnea information at http://www.apneaguide.com Article Submitted On: November 27, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Monday, July 09, 2007

Do You Have RLS Or Restless Leg Syndrome And Is It Ruining Your Sleep?

If you believe that you may be suffering from Restless Leg Syndrome, your smart move is to consult your physician who can help pinpoint the cause and prescribe proper treatment. This article is for your additional information only.

Restless Leg Syndrome is an all too common neurologic movement disorder that is somewhat treatable and often under diagnosed and can ruin many nights sleep. This medical problem is defined by extremely uncomfortable feelings and sensations in the legs, especially when resting or sleeping, resulting in the necessity to move the legs. This need to keep re-positioning the legs results in sleep interference, insomnia and difficulty resting or even sitting at a computer or watching television. This problem can result in insomnia or loss of sleep, serious stress, the inability to take a good rest and general discomfort and lessening of quality of life.

It has been estimated that as many as up to 15% of the population has this problem. RLS frequency generally increases with age but may also occur in children. People with severe RLS had problems prior to twenty years of age.

Someone who has this medical problem generally will have symptoms in their legs, although arms and other places can be affected. Generally the problems are worse in the night, when trying to rest. The degree of problems range from light to severe.

Restless Leg Syndrome has been described as feeling like the skin is creeping or crawling, burning or itching legs, aching, restless legs that can not get comfortable and just plain painful legs.

Generally, RLS is caused by a central nervous system disorder. This disorder often runs in families which suggests a genetic cause. Symptoms can be aggravated by stress and psychiatric problems and of course the loss of sleep that this problem causes can increase stress and psychological problems.

Possible secondary causes of this medical problem are iron deficiency, neurological lesions, end stage kidney failure, certain drugs and pregnancy.

Decreased iron stores in a patient can help cause or worsen RLS. Generally, a person should have serum ferritin levels above 50 mcg/L. Reading below this can cause or worsen conditions.

Neurological lesions associated with the spinal cord and peripheral nerve lesions have been known to cause this problem, as well as people with vertebral disc disease.

Up to 19% of pregnant women can exhibit this medical condition of the legs but it usually disappears within several weeks postpartum.

Up to 50% of end stage kidney failure or dialysis patients can experience this leg problem. Additionally, kidney transplant patients may also experience these symptoms.

Certain drugs such as caffeine, tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, dopamine antagonists and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can worsen this leg problem.

Restless Leg Syndrome can be treated with drugs but there is no silver bullet. No medication works well with all patients so each sufferer has to be individually treated.

Dopaminergic agents are usually the first line of treatment for many cases. Pregnant women may not be administered any drugs, depending upon the physician. Other drugs that may or may not be used to treat Restless Leg Syndrome are Dopaminergic Agents such as carbidopa-levodopa for a one time use or as need requires.

Dopamine agonists such as Pergolide, Pramipexole and Ropiniole, may be used in moderate to severe cases.

Opioids such as Codeine, Tramadol, Propoxyphene, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone may be prescribed. These are often used occasionally.

Benzodiazepines such as Temazepam and Clonazepam can be helpful when certain other medications cannot be tolerated.

Anticonvulsants such as Carbamazepine and Gabapentin can be used when dopamine agonists have failed. Iron or ferrous sulfate can be used in iron deficient patients. Finally, Clonidine may be used with patients with high blood pressure.

In general, most patients with Restless Leg Syndrome can be effectively treated by the primary care physician. If insomnia still results after treatment, a referral to a movement disorders specialist or sleep specialist may be in order.

About the Author: Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular web site AbeFeller.com. www.abefeller.com is a ecommerce site offering great deals and service on mattresses, airbeds, adjustable beds, water beds and bed frames. AbeFeller.com offers a great selection of mattresses for sale. Posted: 01-11-2006 Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

Friday, July 06, 2007

Babies and Sleeping - Some Helpful Tips

Sleep deprivation is one of the challenges of having a baby. Parents can find that they have to survive on less sleep when they have a new born infant. Every parent is waiting for the glorious day when their baby sleeps right through the night. Parents’ normal sleeping patterns are often disrupted by babies who nap through the day and then cry at night. They need to apply strategies in order to cope with babies and sleeping habits. It is recommended that a parent should try to sleep when the baby is napping. You should unplug the phone, put a do not disturb sign on the door and snooze along with your baby. A warm bath can help to make your baby sleepy at nighttime. You should schedule your infant’s bath time just before put your baby down to sleep. Bedtime should to be about the same time every night because babies and sleeping routines are important. A baby can wake up and cry for no apparent reason. There are times when you can be baffled with your baby’s crying. Babies may be crying because they are teething or have colic. If you have exhausted all the possibilities, they may be satisfied with a hug. You have to acknowledge the unfortunate fact that babies and sleeping don't always go together. Teething and illnesses make the problem worse. You should have something to rub on to sore gums when your baby’s teeth start to push through. Colic can also interrupt babies and sleeping soundly so you should also have medicines for this illness as well. If you are a despairing parent with a wakeful child, just remember that it won't always be like this. After the first six months babies and sleeping habit will become more regular. Babies need a comfortable and quiet environment to sleep. A lullaby or a mobile above the cot may calm babies if they are anxious. In fact, some parents have found that placing baby next to a tumble drier soothes them into sleep! Some parents take their babies out for a car ride in order to solve the babies and sleeping problem. Their baby falls asleep in the car and is then carried gingerly to bed. There are some babies that are unable to fall asleep in their cot. Their parents have to wait for them to nod off wherever they happen to be and than carry them to bed.

About the Author: Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Babies and Sleeping. Get more information here at http://www.thatsbeautifulbaby.com/ This article was posted on November 14, 2006 Article Source: articlecity

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Sleep Apnea - 7 Tips To Help You Sleep

Do you keep your partner awake at night with your snoring? Are you often tired during the day? Do you sometimes find yourself suffering from morning headaches, being a bit forgetful, unable to concentrate and irritable? If so, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a very common and often undiagnosed sleep disorder that, according to some estimates, affects five percent of the adult population. Characterized in particular by loud snoring and daytime tiredness, sleep apnea occurs because you stop breathing during sleep. This can occur literally hundreds of times each night and your breathing can be interrupted by up to a minute or more on each occasion. Your breathing is interrupted either by a physical blockage to your airway (for example, loose skin in the back of your throat, or perhaps your tongue, blocking your airway), in which case you are said to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, or by a failure on the part of your brain to send out the necessary signals to the muscles of your body that control breathing, in which event your condition is described as central sleep apnea. It is also possible to suffer from mixed sleep apnea which, as the name suggests, is a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Both men and women suffer from sleep apnea, although the condition is more commonly seen in men and, in particular, men who are over 40 and overweight. The main consequence of sleep apnea is that, because your sleep is very light, fragmented and of poor quality, you also suffer from insomnia, or excessive daytime tiredness. Your partner would probably disagree and say that the main problem is your snoring, but that’s a different story! There are a range of treatments available for sleep apnea (including surgery in particularly severe cases), but in the vast majority of cases your quality of life can be improved considerably with a few simple lifestyle changes and natural remedies. Indeed, in mild cases, this is often all that is needed. Here are 7 simple tips to offset the effects of sleep apnea related insomnia and restore some of that lost daytime ‘get up and go’. Tip 1. Look at your weight. If you’re overweight then this is undoubtedly contributing to your problem. Losing just a few pounds can make a significant difference. Tip 2. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles and this makes it much easier for these muscles to ‘collapse’ during sleep and block your airway. There’s no need to cut out alcohol altogether, but you should restrict your intake and certainly cut out alcohol in the three or four hours before going to bed. Tip 3. Avoid sleeping pills. Sleeping pills can also relax your throat muscles and cause similar problems to those seen for alcohol. Sleeping pills, however, can also cause a variety of other problems as well and there use is not recommended in cases of sleep apnea. Tip 4. Avoid tobacco. Smoking inflames your nasal tissues causing them to swell and restrict your nasal airway. Ideally, you should give up smoking altogether but, if this is too high a fence to jump, then try to cut down and, in particular, reduce your smoking during the evening. Tip 5. Sleep on your side. If you’re typical of the majority of sleep apnea sufferers you sleep on your back, making it far easier for the tissues in your throat, and for your tongue, to block your airway. Even if you go to sleep on your side, you probably roll onto your back shortly after falling asleep. Try propping yourself up with pillows or cushions so that you sleep on your side. If this doesn’t work then sew something like a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas. You’ll find that rolling onto the tennis ball will be quite uncomfortable and it will soon condition you to sleep on your side. If you can’t sew, find a shirt or tee-shirt with a breast pocket. Pop the tennis ball into the pocket and then wear the shirt back-to-front. Tip 6. Improve your nasal breathing. If you suffer from a ‘stuffed up’ nose, then try using a nasal spray to help open up your nasal airway. Nasal sprays should not however be used regularly or for prolonged periods, as they can cause damage to the tissues of the nose. As an alternative, pop along to the drug store or chemist and buy yourself one of many very cheap devices that are available today to help keep your nose open while you sleep. Your pharmacist or chemist will be happy to show you what’s on offer and to help you to make the right choice. Tip 7. Avoid sleep deprivation. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep and that you’re following a regular bedtime routine. Also make sure that your bedroom conditions are set for sleep (the right temperature, quiet, dark etc.) and that you’ve dealt with the worries of the day and are relaxed and ready for sleep each night. One of the major consequences of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea is insomnia, and curing the insomnia associated with sleep apnea is a major step in the management of the condition. These are just a few simple tips but you’ll be amazed at just what a difference they can make. Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders – Help Me To Sleep

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

Monday, July 02, 2007

A system of self growth and discovery

This article is a brief description of the spiritual path that I am walking upon. I think for any path to be feasible there must be certain ways of increasing our understandings and realisations. In my case, I was taught how to interpret dream and meditation symbols. The key main components of my path are : 1. Meditation 2. Dreams and vision interpretation. Many other modalities, act as secondary supports along the journey. But the crux of the path essentially lies in consistent meditation and dream/vision interpretations. It is perhaps possible not to meditate, provided we remain sensitive to incoming-intuitions and other means of receiving insights and self-discoveries. Pendulum reading does play a part in filling some of the roles performed by meditational vision interpretation, but it is certainly not as flexible. This is because the readings that we get from pendulums are limited by the type of charts we use. In another word, visions can have infinite variations, whereas pendulum charts can only give us answers within their range of options. Additionally, Reiki attunements helped in increasing my sensitivity to energies. I simply cannot emphasize more on the role dream/vision interpretation plays in self-growth acceleration. It is very effective in deepening our understandings and in transforming ourselves. Prior to knowing how to interpret dreams, progress was slow for me. Dream interpretation significantly opened up new ways of receiving detailed information essential for my continued self-growth. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules to self-discovery. Living Life itself is the path. However, I do believe in practice and consistency, if we were to achieve any desirable results. I have been a meditator for many years... It was about 5-6 years ago that I discovered that I am at times receiving visions/images/insights in my mind that educated me about certain things. Often these visions revealed only what was understandable by me at any given moment of my journey. It was at this beginning stage of vision-receiving, that I met a highly Enlightened Teacher who taught me the current method that included dream interpretation. I am truly grateful to that Teacher. Along my path, there were at times, what appeared to be past-lives feelings surfacing onto my conscious mind. These feelings were mostly traumatic, but realising them allowed me to understand the reason of my present life fears. Because of the potentially shocking and at times unpleasant experiences of past-life emotional re-living, I strongly feel that only one who is focused on progressing spiritually attempt to uncover past life experiences. Past life uncovering must be treated with respect. Well, this is my system of practice in a nutshell. As you can see, the path is quite flexible in the sense that it is fully integrated into my life experiences and it does not really present itself as a separate endeavour. Also, each individual path will be unique and different from others. This is mainly because, each one of us, have different issues and areas that needed addressing. I recognise that many different types of path can lead to similarly desirable results. Perhaps, the external expressions of different paths often belies similar dynamics under the differing facade.

About the Author: Shen Gerald The author is a guy living in the Far East. He runs a self-growth resource site at www.dreamdatum.com Article Source: http://www.articles411.com

Sunday, July 01, 2007

How Dental Appliances Can Help Sleep Apnea Sufferers

If you suffer from sleep apnea your doctor may recommend one of several dental appliances. Dental appliances aren’t 100% effective for everyone, but many people do see some improvement, and considering the alternatives are expensive equipment and invasive surgery they are often worth a try. There are several different types of dental appliances that your doctor or sleep specialist may recommend.

One of the most common options for sleep apnea patients is the CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine. The CPAP forces air in and out of the lungs preventing any obstructions and interruption of breath to occur. CPAP machines are quite expensive and many patients find them uncomfortable due to the face mask that must be worn. Many of these people are excellent candidates for a dental appliance option, however bear in mind that the CPAP is often the best and most effective choice.

Most dental appliances used in sleep apnea therapy were originally designed as a stop-snoring aid. With a few advances in design they have been found to be a great option for many people suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea. If you suffer from severe sleep apnea dental appliances are less likely to be effective enough and you may need to use either the CPAP or have surgery done.

While there are many different options for sleep apnea patients in regards to dental appliances, the two most popular are the splint and the mandibular advancement device (MAD). The splint works by keeping the tongue in a fairly flat state which prevents it from obstructing breath. The mandibular advancement forces the lower jaw back which keeps the airways wide open. Depending on the cause for your sleep apnea one of these dental appliances may be the perfect solution.

Both of these dental appliances are relatively cheap compared to a CPAP or surgery. If your doctor believes that you may benefit from the use of either the splint of the mandiublar advancement it is certainly worth a try.

About the Author: Rudy Watkins writes about the causes and treatments for sleep apnea on the Sleep Conditions website. For more helpful information and to sign up for our free newsletter, visit http://www.sleepconditions.com Article Submitted On: December 01, 2006 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/