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 insomniaThe 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
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Pigeons Beware, the English are Coming!
Miami, FL (ContentDesk) Aug. 31, 2005 ? Last week saw the launch of Deterapigeon.com website and their Defender 4 anti-roosting pigeon spikes in the United States, a new and exciting product from the leading and highly respected manufactures of bird spikes in the UK. The animal conscious pigeon spikes simply prevent pigeons from landing without causing harm.Deterapigeon has been established in England since 1996 and David Jones (Director of Deterapigeon) invented...
Pigeons Beware, the English are Coming!
SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Too often we forgo entertaining because of the mere thought of all of the preparation that is involved. And more is not better. Often we try to out do each other with lavish parties and expensive gifts. Stop and remember for a second what was important from your own childhood. Was it an outing? Baking cookies with your grandmother? Building a snowman with your dad? We need to connect.
This doesn't require more time, just shifting the focus of the time we already have. Here, a casual party and a very simple activity were the catalyst that brought everyone together.To get the entire neighborhood into the Christmas spirit we planned a caroling party. The day before our guests arrived, my kids and I spent an afternoon making decorative candleholders to give to each caroler, to light the way for our caroling expedition. Dad, dressed as Santa, provided our very own photo opportunity. Little ones whispered their Christmas list in Santa's ear.
Grown ups, as well as kids, had their...
SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Get Mom Something Unforgettable - Not Flowers - for Mother's Day
This year, don't buy boring, sneeze-inducing flowers or routine gifts at inflated, last minute prices.
Instead, give your Mom "The Unforgettable Gift"? with the best features of flowers and candy ? a dozen gourmet hand-dipped strawberries available with decadent chocolaty coatings and six different toppings?the perfect gift for Mother's Day or any day you want Mom to feel special.
Make Mom feel like Hollywood Royalty because you care enough to send the berry best.
It is the quality of Shari's Berries gourmet, hand-dipped strawberries that make them a favorite among Hollywood's A-list celebrities like Halle Berry, and good enough to be included in the Academy Awards goody bags to Oscar winners like...
Thanksgiving Traditions that Make Memories
Thanksgiving is a time of family, food and fun. Here are some ideas of traditions you can start that will give you those "warm fuzzy feelings" for years to come!?Watch the parade on TV or make an effort to attend the parade. Don't forget a thermos of hot chocolate?Family Portrait Time--use this picture for Christmas cards?Decorate with: gourds, indian corn, corn stalks, pine cones, fall leaves, cornucopia, a large pine cone turkey with feathers?As family gathers, this is an excellent time for making a personal history video helping to connect the generations. Ask questions such as:?What was life like when you were our age??What were your parents like? ?What were your brothers, and sisters like??What was your happiest memory as a child? your saddest??How did you and your spouse meet?Ask the interviewee to bring along momentos or pictures for your children to look at.Here is a great webpage full of other interesting questions to ask. http://articles.scrapbooking.com/family_history.htm...
Thanksgiving Traditions that Make Memories
Exceptions Break The Rule
The golden rule isn't: "Treat others as you want to be treated... unless they tick you off." Nor does the commandment "Thou shalt not steal" come with restrictions or blackout periods. It's a rule ? a very powerful rule ? that should be followed in all circumstances. Any exception would break the rule completely. What's the point of a rule, goal, or plan if you don't follow it? If you're not willing to follow a plan, idea, or goal straight through, then don't bother pretending.
You're only setting yourself up for disappointment. You'll be creating exceptions and restrictions that serve the purpose of making temptations easier to serve. For the Diet Seekers... Let me put it another way. Let's say you're following a strict diet where you can eat certain foods but abstain from desserts and sweets.
And let's also say that if you were to follow the diet unequivocally, you'd lose the desired amount of weight. So why do you create excuses when that mouthwatering piece of chocolate...
Exceptions Break The Rule
Is Acne Stressing Out Your Teenager?
Often stress in teenagers can be attributed to acne.
As adults, we know that acne will pass, but this is small comfort to the many teenagers who suffer from the embarrassment of having it.
Frequently the signs of stress or depression in teens go unnoticed by today's busy parents.
If you notice your teenager passing up on outings or dates with friends, staying home from school, neglecting school work or being abnormally argumentative, you may find that acne has got them down.
So much value is placed on beauty in today's world that your teenager may be suffering from low self-esteem and a loss of confidence due to a poor complexion.
Talking with your teenager about acne can be difficult because he or she is likely to be embarrassed by their appearance.
Always be supportive and understanding.
Never accuse your child of following habits that cause acne.
The myths about oily foods, chocolate, or sex...
Is Acne Stressing Out Your Teenager?
Often stress in teenagers can be attributed to acne.
As adults, we know that acne will pass, but this is small comfort to the many teenagers who suffer from the embarrassment of having it.
Frequently the signs of stress or depression in teens go unnoticed by today's busy parents.
If you notice your teenager passing up on outings or dates with friends, staying home from school, neglecting school work or being abnormally argumentative, you may find that acne has got them down.
So much value is placed on beauty in today's world that your teenager may be suffering from low self-esteem and a loss of confidence due to a poor complexion.
Talking with your teenager about acne can be difficult because he or she is likely to be embarrassed by their appearance.
Always be supportive and understanding.
Never accuse your child of following habits that cause acne.
The myths about oily foods, chocolate, or sex...
Understanding Wine Grapes
You will find that one of the easiest ways to get to know your way around wine flavors is through grape varieties. Each grape variety has specific characteristics. In some regions, one grape variety is used to make a wine; in others, winemakers blend several varieties in a single wine. To help you identify grape varieties, below is an overview of each of the major red grapes and their characteristics.Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is the big daddy of the red wine world. It is like the Chardonnay, as it is widely planted and distributed.
The result of this is that there are so many versions of this grape. Many people think of Cabernet Sauvignon as being a wine that needs to age, but that is only because the best red Bordeaux need age. Most non-premium varieties are ready to go right away.Under ideal conditions, it produces an aromatic, tannic...
Understanding Wine Grapes