Does Aromatherapy Really Help With Sleep?

In short, the answer is yes it can. But aromatherapy doesn’t work for everybody but if you are struggling to sleep it has to be worth a try right, as people who do find it works for them swear by it. Aromatherapy aiding sleep is a relatively recent concept, however, that does not mean that there are not some incredibly effective aromatherapy machines out there.

Sleep aid is not the only advantage of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy also helps to ease anxiety and depression, speed up the healing process, get rid of headaches, strengthen the immune system and even relieve inflammation. In other words, it is a miracle worker. Imagine falling asleep one night and waking up the next morning feeling so much better than the day before.

InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser

The innogear aromatherapy essential oil diffuser is probably the best aromatherapy machine on the market at the moment. This machine also doubles up as a cool mist humidifier that also has 7 led colors. Also, you don’t have to worry about leaving this product on as it has a safety system that powers it off when it is burning low. The battery life certainly gives you enough time to get to sleep with 3-4 hours of constant use. All of this for an incredible $19.99.

Click on the image link below to find out more.

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Asutra Premium Aromatherapy Mist

Alternatively, If a diffuser doesn’t take your fancy you can buy an aromatherapy mist that you can spray on either yourself or a pillow or even just around you to help you to nod off. The best one out there at the moment is probably the Asutra Premium Aromatherapy Mist as it comes in three different scents for a reasonable price of $14.95.

Homemade Aromatherapy Solutions

You could even make your own scents to use in the diffuser. You could do this by either mixing different essential oils or blending together natural ingredient to create a relaxing scent. A major advantage of creating your own oils and scents is that you can experiment while spending minimum money on it, allowing you to find the most effective mixture for you. In order to make your own oils, you need unscented oil and heat it up in a pan then pour it over your chosen ingredients and store it in a dark cool place for one to two weeks, voila you have successfully made your own aromatherapy oil as easy as that. For inspiration, you could get an aromatherapy recipe book this book includes over 800 recipes so we very much doubt you will be lost for ideas.

7 Tips to Help You Sleep During a Heatwave 

Some very uncomfortable summer heat is here, and it’s getting harder for us to find a cool spot to lay our head at night. The problem is quite severe, currently, in the UK with over half the population struggling to stay cool during these summer months as we are ill-equipped.

As the heatwave continues to deny many their well-deserved rest, sleep becomes a rarity and the summer months become labeled as some of the most stressful of the year.

If you’re one of the millions of people in the UK who are battling against the nighttime heat in vain, there is a solution to the problem. Researchers from Leeds University in conjunction with The Wool Room found out that wool bedding are more breathable, and are therefore less likely to get you all hot and bothered while you sleep. Apart from wool, there are many ways to stay cool under the covers this summer season.

 

1.  Using The Correct Bedding

Wool is the most natural way of staying cool in bed this season, according to the Managing Director of The Wool Room, Chris Tattersall. It is one of a few fibres with the ability to regulate the temperature of our bodies, making it one of the most suitable bedding choices for these warm months.

 

 

Cotton, particularly the organic variety, works well with wool in ensuring a cool, restful night’s sleep. In fact, wearing cotton at night will keep you cooler than sleeping in (or without) your drawers.  If this isn’t working well for you, try refrigerating your bedding before you go to sleep. Put them in a plastic bag and pop them into the fridge/ freezer for about thirty minutes or so. While they will eventually get warm over the night, the initial coolness will buy you enough time to doze off.

Bamboo is one of the most breathable and lightweight fabrics, and these bamboo bed sheets are soft and plush and so breathable and lightweight.

 

 

2.  Drink Some Water  

Although you’ll be going against everything, you were taught not to do right before bedtime, drinking a glass of water will keep your body temperature cool enough for you to get comfortable. Don’t drink an entire litre just because it’s extra hot. A little does the trick, provided you take it a few minutes before going to bed.    Water will also keep you hydrated throughout the hot night, which is crucial since you’ll be losing a lot of moisture through sweating.  An obvious tip perhaps; but one many overlook.

3.  Have a Shower before Bed   

A nice, cold shower is great for a hot day, but at night you’re better off using tepid water. A cold shower will raise your body temperature, and that will only make it harder to sleep. Hot water will relax you and prepare you for bed, but it won’t make the heat any less unbearable.

Showering using tepid water will do the trick. Lukewarm water will not be enough to raise your body temperature significantly, and it will leave your body feeling cool and refreshed afterwards.

4.  Get a Fan  

If you don’t already have a fan in your bedroom, now’s the time to spring for one. A fan is a relatively hassle-free method of escaping the summer heat at night. Don’t be afraid to invest in bigger, more powerful fans if the situation calls for it. If you do this, however, make sure to grab a set of earplugs as well since big fans can get quite loud.

 

5.  Improvise an Air Conditioner    Making an impromptu air conditioner is easy. All you’ll need is your fan and a bowl/plate of ice cubes, (or a bottle of frozen water if this is easier for you). Place the bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan and leave it there overnight. As it melts, the fan will blow the icy breeze all around the room, keeping it nice and chilly enough for you to get a restful night’s sleep.

 

6.  Flannel and Mist Sprayer 

A flannel and a mist sprayer are perhaps not items you’d place on your nightstand, but now the situation calls for it. Put your cloth in the refrigerator for a few minutes beforehand to ensure that it is nice and cool. You can use this as a refreshing towel to put on your forehead when it gets too hot or use the mist sprayer when the unbearable heat forces you out of your sleep.    7.  Sleep in Wet Clothes    Sleeping in a damp t-shirt and perhaps some socks will keep you cool throughout the night provided you don’t mind the initial discomfort. As your body heats up, it will evaporate the moisture in the damp clothes, and this will have a cooling effect that’s enough to keep you comfortable even during a hot night.    Don’t let the summer heat steal your sleep anymore. These seven simple methods can be used together for a bigger effect, which is recommended if you live in an unusually hot location.

Get Your Baby To Sleep With The Hatch Baby Sound Machine

The Hatch Baby Rest Light Sound Machine Review

 

Hatch Baby Rest Light

The innovative Hatch Baby Rest happens to be a night light, an alarm, and a sound machine which have been combined together in one single device. It is possible to control the gadget in any of the 2 following ways after placing it in your baby’s or toddlers room.

1. Control the gadget from your smartphone after downloading the free app.

2. Use the controls which are positioned below the base of the gadget.

 

The Key Features:

1. An awesome sound machine

This device is undoubtedly a fantastic sound machine which comes with lots of innovative options to choose from. You can select sounds such as the chirping of crickets after sunset, rain, ocean waves, white noise and more, or choose from three melodies. A timer can also be set via your smartphone which will allow the device to shut off after a stipulated time period.

2. Outstanding nightlight

There are several lighting options included in this product and you can choose your preferred color and pattern with coverlets, for illumination. In case you do not like the basic color options available, you can always pick your own color. On top of this, the free app will allow you to control the color’s brightness as well. Another highlight of this gadget is that it is possible to switch the colors with a simple touch of the screen.

3. Set a time-to-rise to let your toddler know when it’s time to get out of bed (so mom and dad get a little more rest)

4.  Set a bedtime program with fun colors and music to turn on in the evenings, alerting your toddler that bedtime is near

5. A ‘Toddler Lock’ feature on the app stops your child from overriding your chosen settings

6. If you have more than one unit for each child, you can control them all from the same app

7. Easy to set up

 

Some additional features available on the Hatch Baby Sound Machine

a. Creating custom programs

Setting the device to turn on and off at any particular time is also possible, and you can have it start exactly at any given time during the day. Moreover, the gadget is going to come on with whatever sound and color you selected for that particular time as well. You need not take your smartphone out of your pocket for doing so.

b. OK-To-Wake option

This innovative option will enable you to set an alarm. You simply need to set the time in the application and the device will turn on once the time arrives playing that particular color and sound you selected. This cool feature is ideal for waking up your child in the morning.

The Pros:

1. If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night you can change the sound with your smartphone without getting up from your bed or letting your baby see you, thus helping with self-soothing and sleep-training.

2. The maximum volume is comparatively loud as compared to the other devices out there which will prove to be effective in case your home is quite noisy.

3. The sound and music produced by the speakers are clear as well as crisp.

The Cons:

1. The Bluetooth technology that comes with this gadget does not reach very far so it is not possible to control it from your room if you are lucky enough to live in a mansion and your room happens to be far from where baby sleeps

The Price:

This remarkable Hatch Baby Sound Machine is currently available at only $59.99 which is pretty affordable considering the innovative features offered by it. You must consider yourself lucky to get a top quality sound machine as well as a breathtaking nightlight at such a rate.

Final Verdict:

The Hatch Baby Sound Machine is perfect for you if you find it difficult to get your child to sleep or stay asleep. The innovative features provided help this smart sound and light machine to stay ahead of the competition while the convenience of the innovative Bluetooth technology along with the OK-To-Wake option deserves special mention. It is overall a fantastic noise and light machine for your infant which will not disappoint you by any means.

Get your Hatch Baby Rest Night Light here

Insomnia the sleep hub

Insomnia- The Associated Risks (and tips)

Why We Sleep

Frank Underwood, a character from the television series House of Cards once said, “I’ve always loathed the necessity of sleep.” Reason being, he thought that it put even the most powerful men in a powerless state. This applies to most of us. We deem sleep as something to be grabbed at and dealt with; an inconvenience to our busy lives.

Yes, you have a deadline to make, or you want to watch an episode of your favorite show or just want to finish that chapter. One thing we often fail to consider is the effect of inadequate sleep on our bodies.

Dr. Matthew Walker, who is the director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, wrote a book on the issue of poor sleeping habits. In this book, he explains the dangers associated and how to ensure you are getting sound sleep.

People find sleeping to be rather luxurious (others find it a waste of time) mainly because it is a silent need. I cannot count the all-nighters I have pulled for various reasons.

This ‘silent need’ is, if not anything else, time to heal and balance your body. The human body is just like a gadget. It needs to be fully recharged for it to function correctly.

Aside from the rejuvenation, sleep also keeps some medical conditions at bay. If a person sleeps for six hours or less every night, the brain increases the production of a protein called beta-amyloid. This sticky protein is notorious for causing Alzheimer’s Disease at a later stage in their life.

Sleep deprivation increases the risk of obesity and heart attack. A single night of inadequate sleep or hypersensitive sleep is enough to elevate blood pressure throughout the next day. This could be responsible for an episode which may bring about other health issues or even result in death.

In his book, Dr. Walker cited factors which may be responsible for the change in sleeping habits.

 

 

Sleep Tricks

1. Gadgets and gizmos

Smartphones, gaming boxes, and the computer are the distractions which most often tempt people to eat into sleeping time. Even children fail to get the required dose of sleep because their messengers are calling them into the action all night long. In order to ensure that these gadgets do not affect your health, designate time for using them. Once that time has elapsed, leave them in another room (or pace it on the dresser if you must) and prepare for bed.

2. Lights

The brain needs darkness to release a hormone called Melatonin. It helps to control the circadian rhythm and the body’s sleep routine. The hormone is also prepared in a laboratory and used as medicine to relieve jet lag and treat insomnia.

When dusk begins to set in, the hormone is released. However, light from bulbs and television screens hinder this process. This interference affects the body’s sleep clock which may result in reduced sleep.

3. Radiator

We can all relate to the comforting feeling that sweeps across the house when the heating radiator is switched on. Although the feeling is pleasant, the heat prevents your body temperature from dropping, which is necessary for your body to prepare for a good night’s sleep.

Once these tips have been implemented, there are also some habits which will guarantee a peaceful sleep. They include:

I. Coming home early which guarantees you have enough time to prepare dinner and get to bed on time.

2. Avoid coffee in the evening for obvious reasons. The same goes for alcohol. Sedation is not the same as sleep!

3. Keep your feet warm or take a bath. It causes the blood vessels to expand, and this sends a signal to the brain that it is time to sleep.

4. Be disciplined and stick to the sleep timer. It’s easier said than done, and discipline would go a long way in helping you stay healthy.

You can also come up with a go-to-bed routine that puts you right to sleep. It can be reading a book (such as Why We Sleep) meditating or reciting a novela.

Your health is your responsibility. An extra hour’s sleep could save you from years of pain and distress.

The Sleep hub- sleep paralysis

See The Disturbing Photos Depicting Sleep Paralysis

Nicolas Bruno- Battling Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by the non-permanent paralysis of the body. It happens shortly after we wake up or shortly before we fall asleep. It occurs when the brain is in the REM state and then you suddenly wake up even though some body paralysis persists.

Nicolas Bruno, a victim of sleep paralysis for many years recreates his experiences through art. The 22-year-old re-creates his sleep paralysis experiences through photographs. During an interview with Yatzer, Nicolas Bruno explains his hallucinations whereby faceless silhouetted figures and grasps from shadowy hands corrupting reality would appear in his hallucinations. Since an early age of 15 when He started experiencing sleep paralysis, Nicolas has had a horrific experience with sleep paralysis.

The Sleep Hub sleep paralysis images

Nicolas Bruno, however, discovered that He could channel these fears into art. One of his high school teachers recommended him to archive these horrors. The uniqueness of His art has aided Nicolas Bruno rise from just an ordinary photographer to an experienced and talented photographer, rising the ranks.

Nicholas started by sketching down these vivid terrors of sleep paralysis on paper which He would compile into a journal. As He progressed, He transformed the sketches into photographs inspired by His childhood coastal town in Italy. The Italian culture He is associated with influences the titles, while his appreciation of nature inspires his imagery.

 

The Sleep Hub Sleep Paralysis images

During the initial processes of developing these unique photographs, Nicholas incorporates props like bowler hats, lanterns, burning chairs, face masks among others. Recently Nicholas Bruno has created an online portfolio, where art enthusiasts can view his rare art. His art is also showcased in many art galleries, making him a role model to people out there to people going through sleep paralysis

 

Sometimes, dreams get so stressful that the mind suddenly gets overwhelmed and jumps to a conscious state, thus causing you to become awake. The only problem is during these dreams the brain secretes a paralyzing chemical to keep you from acting out your dreams every night. These paralyzing agents do not last very long as soon as the body realizes that your mind is no longer unconscious, on account of natural defense mechanisms will start straining them from your brain.

Sleep paralysis can make a person conscious of everything that is happening but cannot move his or her body. There is also a hallucinatory element of this state, on which you see fanciful objects similar to dream-like objects that may appear in the room along with one’s regular vision. Some scientist proposed that this condition calls for a theory on alien abductions and ghostly encounters. The effects may be observed for a fraction of a second or up to several minutes. The possible causes that some scientist suggested were:

1)Some motor neurons or cells in the brain, which are responsible for a person’s motor skills, are affected by an impediment of their release and thus, stops functioning;

2)Low levels of melatonin, which is a substance in the brain responsible for sleeping. This can prevent the stimulation of the muscles of the dreamer.

Factors that can induce sleep paralysis are sleeping in an upward position, sleep deprivation, sexual abuse, having an irregular sleeping schedule, increased stress, sudden environmental or lifestyle changes and a dream, which precedes the episode. Treatment involves drugs like Clonazepam and Ritalin. Seeing a Sleep specialist is a must!

Regular sleep is highly recommended to reduce the likelihood of sleep paralysis significantly. The average amount of sleep an individual needs per day depends on the age of that person. If you are an adult, mainly seven hours up to eight hours or more of sleep will do. If you are an adolescent, between 13 up to 17 years old, nine up to ten hours is required. When you are a teenager sleep paralysis may be frequent, but once you get to your thirty’s, it may lessen.

Knowing the symptoms can provide you not just with an understanding of the situation but the right way on how you can deal with sleep paralysis. Although it is much easier said than done, being afraid can do more harm than good, so try to relax and maintain a healthy way of living and sleeping, and who knows, maybe you too can use the material to your advantage; after all, who isn’t fascinated by Sleep Paralysis!?

 

See more of Nicolas Bruno’s photography here

Why Wake- Up Lights Are Trending

Why Waking Up To Natural Light Is The Best Way To Start Your Day

 

Benefits of using a Natural Sunrise Alarm Clock

We all know how difficult it is to wake early in the morning. Most of us struggle to get our feet out of the bed especially at the sound of a screaming alarm clock. However, with the advancement of technology, a million gadgets are produced daily. One of these gadgets is the ever popular wake-up light.
A wake- up light is basically a light programmed to produce artificial dawn in your room in a bid to wake you up in the morning. The light happens gradually, gently pulling you from slumber mode to a wakeful one in a more soothing way, guiding you through a healthy day.

Effectiveness of Wake-up Lights

The human body is designed in a way that when you try waking up in a dark environment, it tends to resist due to the feeling that you ought not to be waking up at that moment. This can result in your mind not fully waking up, thus your body continuing to produce sleeping hormones such as Melatonin. Wake- up lights help in fixing this problem since one experiences artificial sunrise on demand.

Wake- Up Lights vs. Alarm Clocks

One of the common questions asked is if wake-up lights are better than alarm clocks. Well, we cannot rule out on the effectiveness of the traditional alarm clocks in waking you up but the question is; how good is your mood when you hear the blaring tone of the alarm? There are a bunch of issues that are tagged along with waking up to the traditional alarm clock. None of these issues come along with the wake-up light.
Compared to alarm clocks, these more natural alarm clocks have appealing, natural tones that are more relaxing. They start to shine about 30 minutes previous to the set alarm time. It slowly increases from dim to brighter light, similar to natural sunshine. This greatly helps in bringing your body to a lighter sleeping state, enabling you to wake up more easily.

Advantages of Wake- up Light Alarms

The following are some of the benefits of using wake up light:

– Balancing of Melatonin
Light helps in controlling Melatonin levels. This is a light responsive hormone. This means that it should be low in the morning and peak at night, hence using wake- up light alarms to help in balancing this hormone.

– Supporting Morning Cortisol Response
Our body’s cortisol levels should be at peak in the morning, slowly decrease during the course of the day. This is known as the circadian rhythm. Chronic stress can result to irregular cortisol spikes, thus depleting cortisol production. This is commonly known as adrenal fatigue.

– Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment
Light therapy has often been linked with the treatment of depression as well as seasonal affective disorder, especially during the darker months of winter.

– Getting out of Bed Quicker
When using the traditional alarm method, one tends to snooze the alarm. This is because you are coming from a very deep slumber state. A human body is designed in a way that it is not meant to switch right from a deep sleep to an upright state, making it hard to just jump out of bed. Wake- up lights help in putting you in a lighter state before waking up. This will make it much easier to actually wake up and getting out of the bed.

– Having More Energy when Waking up
When using a wake- up light, you tend to have a high amount of energy. This is because your body is put in a state that is more ready to wake up. One will also wake up in a better state of mind.

The Vansky Deluxe Edition Sunrise Alarm is currently being sold at a crazy cheap price of $39.99 which is a $90 saving (at the time of posting) so if you are looking to buy one, now is the time!  This type of wake- up light gently wakes you up with its natural sounds and light, giving you the much needed relaxing mood in the morning. It can also be used as an atmosphere lamp, bedside lamp, FM radio and alarm clock.

Features
– 2017 Edition: easy to set alarm clock, new snooze and sunset function, touch control.
– Simulated wake up light: gradually lights up 30 minutes to alarm time, gently bringing you from the slumber state.
– 6 natural tones and FM radio that helps you relax.
– 7 color light: it comes with 7 different colors (Green, Warm White, Orange, Blue, Red, Purple, and Indigo).

You can check it out here:

 

bad air equals bad sleep?

Not Sleeping? Air Pollution Could Be To Blame!

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