In the old days people used to a sanitarium for a rest cure which worked with the "nervous" because it put the person on a regular schedule of sleep, activity, and meals.  Below are some kinds of sleep disturbances that can make mood disorder worse. They show a connection between your mood and sleep very well.

Insomnia

A person suffering from insomnia has difficulty initiating or maintaining normal sleep, which can result in sleep that is not restoring or rejuvenating and impairs the daytime activity. Insomnia includes sleeping too little, difficulty falling asleep, awakening frequently during the night, or waking up early and being unable to get back to sleep. It is characteristic of many mental and physical disorders and can also just be a part of getting older. When we age we need less sleep so don't sleep as deeply as we used to do when we were younger.
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

This is the most common circadian-rhythm sleep disorder that results in insomnia and daytime sleepiness. A short circuit between a person's biological clock and the 24-hour day causes this sleep disorder. It is commonly found in those with mild or major depression. In addition other medications may disrupt the sleep-wake cycle.

REM Sleep Abnormalities

REM sleep abnormalities have been implicated by doctors in a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, some forms of schizophrenia, and other disorders in which psychosis occurs.

Irregular Sleep Routine

This sleep disorder is yet another problem that many with Bipolar II experience and in large part results from a lack of lifestyle scheduling.  You can also ge this with people who work split shifts or other irregular shift work.

Your mood and sleep will depend on how you can increase your mood level which will increase or maintain your sleep. Your sleeping hours will be affected by how you feel during the day so also try to relax before going to bed and use your bedroom as your escape from your problems.

Need help from professionals?  Learn about a step-by-step program that can help you get rid of tiredness – without the use of stimulants or drugs

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We can take some pills to relax and so get some sleep or you can do something more natural.  The problem with the pills is that after a while you get used to them so you then have to take more, then you have a wine or two with the pills, and it goes on and on.

You can do two things in particular which will help your relaxation and sleep and they are:

1)  Work out what is your barrier for relaxation.  That may sound a bit simplistic but if you really look at what is stopping you then you can find a solution.  Are you bringing your work at home so not allowing yourself to turn off from the daily problems?  Are you running around trying to do things in the house until you drop into bed each night?   If you can work out what the problem is then you can work out how to fix it.

2)  Try some relaxation music before you go to bed.  Binaural beat music is especially good for helping you relax and it works on your brain's frequencies and has some soothing sounds from nature or music.  These sounds have a good effect on your brain to help it relax.  The best of this music can be found at THE UNEXPLAINABLE STORE.  It's an online shop to buy and download binaural beat music to your computer or to your mp3 player.  I have tried them and they work for me.

When you relax you get a better sleep so look at the two techniques above and give them a go.  You need relaxation and sleep in your daily life so try my suggestions as you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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Ask your angels to help you sleep as they are there to help you at all times don't forget.   Relaxation and sleep will come more easily with their help so do ask them.  What have you to lose?  When you get into bed close your eyes and ask them to help you.  This applies to any request of course but is also a good time for help with sleep.

I saw this lovely video on angels sung by Enya.  It only runs for about 5 minutes so if you have the time listen and watch it.  Enya has such a lovely pure voice it really is a lovely video.  It is very relaxing as well and you can just keep playing it hehe like I did.

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While there are literally hundreds of devices on the market that target snoring women, it is more important to get to the bottom of why you snore in the first place and address that problem.  If you snore and you have been assured there is no medical problem connected with your snoring, the solution might be as simple as sleeping on your side instead of your back.

Certain medications may also be to blame for snoring and popular stop snoring tips include the avoidance of sleeping pills and antihistamines before bedtime.  Snoring women who are looking for ways to stop snoring should also avoid drinking alcohol or eating heavy meals within a few hours of sleep.  Another common tip to prevent snoring is to sleep with your head elevated more than usual.  Some people use extra pillows and some people use the type of bed that mechanically elevates the head.

Some people just snore occasionally and usually there is no cause for alarm.  If you are one of the snoring women who disrupts the sleep of others or who feels fatigued the next day, it may be time for you to see your doctor.  Your doctor, especially one who is an ear, nose, and throat specialist may have additional stop snoring tips but if it is something that bothers you then it should be addressed.

Most professionals will agree going to bed at the same time each night may help to improve sleep patterns for snoring women and  anyone else who has trouble sleeping.  In fact, many of the stop snoring tips you will likely read and hear are useful for anyone who is not getting a good night’s sleep for various reasons.  By taking steps that are conducive to sleep before you go to bed, you will have a much better chance of improving the quality of your sleep.

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Image by driki via Flickr

If you have trouble sleeping at night there are a lot of things you can do that may help to improve sleep quality and quantity.  Since health and sleep are closely related, it is crucial that you get a good night’s sleep every night.  While some people take sleeping pills to sleep well at night, many others prefer to address this issue without resorting to sleep aids.  If you are one of these people, read on to find out what you can do to alleviate the problem.

One of the best things you can do to improve sleep is to only use your bedroom for relaxation.  The point is that so many of us either take work home from the office or work at home and we tend to take work to bed with us.  Then when we finally shove the work aside and try to sleep, it is difficult to shift gears.  By training your mind and your body to view your bedroom as a sanctuary away from work, it can make a big difference in your overall health and sleep experience.

Another idea that has helped to improve sleep for many people is to actually start to prepare your mind and body for sleep an hour or two before bedtime.  While this may sound simplistic, it stands to reason that you may have difficulty getting to sleep immediately after watching an action movie or engaging in other stimulating activity.

In order to have optimum health and sleep well on a consistent basis, it is also important to go to bed at the same time every night.   While many people like to sleep late on their days off, this can throw off your sleep patterns and make it difficult to sleep well the other nights as well.  By taking positive action to improve sleep patterns, you will notice that your overall health and sleep quality will improve.

Binaural beat music from The Unexplainable Store is also a great way to relax before bedtime and to maximise your sleep time.  Try the music yourself by downloading to your MP3 player.

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A smudge stick is a bundle of herbs tied together which when lit produces smoke which gives off a lovely aroma and is used to purify the house or possessions or even yourself.

I have practiced smudging in the two homes I have lived in over the years but only a few times have I felt that I needed to do it.  Smudging traps negativity in the smoke and carries it out to escape through the doors or windows.  I have always used it as a spiritual house cleaning especially when I have felt feelings of anger, resentment or other negative feelings in the house.

The first time I smudged my house was in the one before this house I am living in now.  This came about when I felt a previous partner was coming back to the house in his dreams.  This made me feel very edgy but after the cleansing that feeling lifted but at the same time his attitude changed to that of being resentful and angry himself and I put that down to the fact that his astral travel had stopped.

I have bought commercial smudges and these have worked well but you can make your own.  The most common herb found in them is sage and this herb is good for healing and uplifting of the spirit.  Sweetgrass is similar but maybe more gentle.  Releasing anxiety and sorrow is what sweetgrass is used for.

I love lavender and I like to add this too and this herb is great for relaxation of the mind.  Rose is another ingredient that makes the house smell beautiful and is used for love.  You can add the lavender or rose to smudge sticks you buy as well if you wish to personalize your blend.

In my next post I will share with you my own house protection method when smudging.

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It's only in the last 25 years we have really learned anything about sleep and that applies to a part called REM sleep as well.  About an hour and a half after you fall asleep your brainwaves start to change and you go into what is called REM sleep.

When you are in REM sleep your eyelids flicker and this is where the name comes from, that is,  Rapid Eye Movement.  Other things happen too like your breathing increases, your heart rate and blood pressure also increases and a state similar to when you are faced with a danger.

Have you ever had a dream about being in danger but you were paralyzed with fear?  You couldn't move, let alone run away.  Well, during REM sleep the large body muscles are paralyzed and this usually occurs in the middle of the night and in the morning and luckily the feelings usually should have subsided by then.

So if you dream you are somehow in danger but it frightens you that you couldn't move and you worry that if it really happens you would do the same then now you know it was the REM that was immobilizing you and not your fear.

There are five cycles of REM in a sleep episode and you will go in and out of them during the night which in total is around 7 hours.  So if you thought you just closed your eyes and you fell asleep then you are in fact going through many cycles of sleep in one night.

Oh and for a bit of trivia, snoring occurs only in non-REM sleep.  Happy dreams

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Snoring can cause a lot of problems with your sleep and that of your partner or others in the household.  My granddaughter tells me that she wants me to buy her ear plugs for the next time she sleeps over because my partner and I both snored all night, or so she says.
Snoring often occurs from being overweight, being older, smoking or having a thick neck.   I don't smoke but, OK, I will have to admit I may be overweight and over 50 but I will never admit to having a thick neck.  It is more likely though for males to develop sleep apnea and this can be a health hazard as the brain controls the breathing process and it becomes unbalanced.

Snoring can affect your own personal relationships especially with your spouse/partner and children.  Losing weight is also a good option but sometimes difficult to do and takes time to achieve.  Of course giving up smoking will benefit your health overall so this is something you should think seriously about.  Sleeping on your side and not eating for a few hours before going to bed are two things you could also try.

Some of the things you can try are a wedge shaped Anti Snoring Pillow, a chin strap or an anti snoring ring.  CPAP machines are available to help people with sleep apnea and they help many people.  Surgery methods should be investigated only as a last resort.

Getting a good night's sleep is not only important for you personally but for your health overall so try a few methods and even one of the anti snoring sleeping aids I have mentioned above and make sure that you get the chance to sleep and to dream because snoring interrupts your dream cycles.

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