The Lucid Dreaming Full Experience” is an article providing some good information on one of my favorite subjects: lucid dreams. It introduces this widely sought-after dreaming experience, but primarily touches upon some techniques one can put to use in order to achieve it.

Lucid dreaming is having the power to control the direction of your dream which is an element of your metaphysical existence. You will notice that all the limitations of reality seem to swiftly cease to exist.

If one has ever been lucid while dreaming, and most have at some point or another, then they understand why many people attempt to obtain command of this power. Your reality is as infinite as your imagination and as vivid as being awake while lucid dreaming. It turns sleep into an exciting endeavor rather than a biological necessity.

According to the article, and many other pieces of writing on the topic of lucid dreaming, of which there are plenty, there are a number of habits one can put into practice in order to lucid dream more often, if not every night. The first step in this process is to establish some sort of goal, or what is specifically desired within these dreams.

The next step, and probably the most important part of learning how to lucid dream, is dream recall. This is the process of remembering a dream that was had the previous night. The easiest way to do this is to keep a dream journal, in which as many details as possible are recorded immediately upon waking. This will help to keep track of sleeping patterns in order to gain familiarity with when a state of lucidity occurs.

A couple of other methods are hypnosis and binaural audio. Binaural audio is the playing of two separate frequencies in each ear in order to relax the mind. In theory, it helps the brain waves to shift into a state that is conducive to lucid dreaming. Here’s some more information on lucid dreaming:

I would advise anyone to take up this endeavor, particularly if they are suffering from a sleep disorder such as insomnia. If these habits are put into practice, then lucid dreaming can occur more regularly, and therefore sleep can as well.

Article, “Alcohol’s disruptive effects on sleep may be more pronounced among women“, shows interesting findings in University of Michigan’s psychiatry department.

In summary, said Arnedt, this study’s primary contribution was to demonstrate that the effects of alcohol on objectively measured sleep quality are different between men and women at equivalent BrACs.

While I’m no stranger to sleeping after consuming a couple alcoholic beverages, I found it interesting that the effects on sleep were different among men and women. If anyone has ever woken up after drinking one too many and sleeping the past 14 hours and therefore the entire day away, then they know that many times they wouldn’t feel as rested as they would expect. This video further touches upon the negative effects alcohol has on sleep in both genders:

After viewing the above video, one may have second thoughts on whether or not to resort to alcohol to get a better night’s sleep.

Snoring preventative steps” is a helpful article that covers most of the basic steps one can follow in order to help diminish their level or frequency of snoring, an issue that plagues nearly half the population in some demographics.

Snoring is no stranger to many. It’s so common that a great many dismiss it.

The author’s article opens with the above statement, and I couldn’t agree more with the notion that it is so widely dismissed. It’s seen simply as a nuisance that wouldn’t necessarily be detrimental to one’s health, and even in the cases that it is just noise, snoring can still be a catalyst in the crumbling of any relationship. As someone with personal experience in the matter, I can say this with the utmost confidence. On some occasions I’ve refused to share my bed and have instead opted for the couch simply because it was utterly impossible for me to obtain a decent night’s rest otherwise.

However, snoring can also lead to serious health issues. When snoring becomes so powerful that your airflow is actually stopping for up to minutes at a time, this is known as sleep apnea, and can potentially be very serious. This is why those who suspect they may be snoring should consult a doctor.

There are many different remedies for snoring, including devices ranging from something like a small mouthpiece to certain machines that provide continuous airflow like a CPAP, and even surgery. However, the tips in this article should help for mild cases of snoring. One of the big ones is sleeping on either side as opposed to the back. When on your back, our friend gravity helps to lower your jaw and sometimes tongue against your throat, thus restricting airflow. Another tip is to not drink alcohol before sleeping. Studies have shown that alcohol greatly affects the quality of sleep and is a primary inducer of snoring. Of course, this isn’t always preventable because when we drink, we’re likely to do it at night, so it will probably affect our sleep no matter what, but even one drink before bed can do the trick. So it may be time to cut back on the evening beer or glass of wine if you’re noticing a lack of quality rest.

Another primary point of the article which is widely recognized as a cause of snoring is the weight of the sleeper. Being overweight or obese is one of the most common causes for snoring, and in this case, it may be best to look into improving eating and exercising habits. This is probably the most difficult remedy, but folks should not be discouraged because there’s much more that comes with losing weight than just prevention of snoring. This will improve general energy, mood, self-image, confidence, and everything in between, as well as decrease certain health risks.

The video below has some more helpful information:

If you’re snoring, or especially if you live with someone who does, do your best to help the situation and do something about it. Whether it’s a change in some simple habits, a device, or some time in the gym, you’ll be thankful when you’re significant other wants to share a room and you’re not suffering from more serious ailments.

Men ‘more likely to suffer from sleepless nights due to snoring partners’” brings to attention a peculiar find in a recent study done with couples. Contrary to what many would probably assume, it was found that men lost more sleep due to their partner snoring than women.

The study of 14,000 couples found that 30 per cent of men complained that they were kept awake by their partner’s snoring or coughing compared to just 20 per cent of women, reports the Daily Mail.

I have a feeling that I’m not the only one this comes as a surprise to. Doesn’t the quintessential image involve an overweight man snoring while his wide awake female partner looks on in disgust and/or frustration? Apparently that wasn’t the case in this English study. Further perpetuating my confusion is the fact that most studies show that snoring is actually more common in men than in women.

Perhaps women are more embarrassed about their snoring and tend not to mention it, helping to embed that quintessential image as mentioned above into the heads of men and women everywhere. Or perhaps, since this study was done in the U.K., the population is generally healthier and therefore less overweight, which could put things on more of an even keel. I’d certainly like to see this study done in the U.S.

Personally I can identify completely with the study. I’ve never heard from anyone that I snore (something I’m clearly proud of), though I have plenty of experience with snoring on the other end. However, that doesn’t mean that I’m not still confused by this study, although I consider it a small triumph for men. Here’s a video on some of the consequences women may face with snoring:

Snoring Center – Effect of Snoring in Women

Though snoring is common and not much of a problem in itself, it could lead to worse things if it becomes a condition known as Sleep Apnea, which is very serious. Fortunately, if your husband or wife is complaining, that means you can further assess this possible issue!

Sleep Tips From Experts” is a pretty good source for exactly what it implies. Insomnia and generally unhealthy sleep are two things that plague a large sum of the population and more tips on obtaining better sleep should always be welcomed.

Experts suggest that you get better sleep if you treat your bed as a sanctuary where work and other activities, except sleep or sex, aren’t done there.

This is one of the tips I found to be interesting and useful. How many of us do things in bed that can be done elsewhere such as working on a laptop or talking on the phone? My guess is plenty. It makes sense to use the bed solely what it’s meant for because it can help your brain to associate it with sleep.

Another tip that caught my attention was the suggestion to do some sort of menial activity if you wake up in the middle of the night. I, and probably many others, have sometimes found myself lying awake in bed feeling stressed and anxious about not being able to sleep, which in turn prevents me from getting to sleep. It’s a ridiculous cycle that can be helped by doing something like reading if you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night. This should help to take your mind off the fact that you’re not sleeping and help you to relax quicker.

The article contains a few more good tips, which are mainly helpful because they’re easy to put into practice. There are many simple habits and changes of lifestyle that can work wonders to help you achieve a good night’s sleep, and they’re easier than medication which can potentially cause dependence.  Here’s a video with some more good tips:

Hopefully these can help everyone get some rest. If you’re experiencing chronic insomnia, you should certainly seek our doctor’s advice. However, you can always make small lifestyle changes like these in order to improve sleep.

Choosing The Correct Apnea Treatment” is a surprisingly informative article that lists a number of suggestions for sleep apnea treatment.

At times, it might appear tough to pick a sleep apnea treatment that works. With so numerous options, it can be tough to know which apnea treatment approach works very best and which does not.

For those that aren’t familiar with sleep apnea, it is a very common sleep disorder that is actually more dangerous than most would think. It is the result of snoring to the point that air flow is actually stopped, sometimes for periods minutes in length, disturbing one’s sleep and preventing a decent night’s rest. Needless to say, being unable to achieve a night’s sleep has it’s own repercussions, but sleep apnea can have some devastating results, including increased risk of stroke, heart disease, seizures, and sometimes death. This makes sense, considering the fact that our brains and blood need oxygen.  Sleep apnea is a medically diagnosed disorder, so if one is experiencing some excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue then they may want to make inquiries with their doctor. However, there are a number of treatments, as listed in the article. Some of these are devices, such as the Sleep Genie, which helps to support the jaw while keeping the mouth closed, and a CPAP machine, short for continuous positive airway pressure. However, some other simple and natural ideas are suggested, such as usage of air filtration devices in the home (as snoring can often be attributed to allergies), sleeping on one’s side, and cutting back on the nicotine and alcohol. Lastly, the best treatment would be to get more exercise and watch the diet, because the leading cause of snoring is obesity. Check out the video for some more info:

CPAP, as shown above, is just one of many treatments. If you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, please be safe and consult your doctor.

How to ensure your child gets the right type of sleep” touches on sleeping patterns for children, primarily infants, and brings up some interesting points about how to go about making sure that your child is sleeping in the manner that will enable heathy growth and development.

Over 40% of childhood is spent sleeping, and so doing whatever you can as a parent to make that time as relaxing and as regular as possible will do wonders for your children’s well-being.

The opening line from the author, as stated above, arouses a particular curiosity in me due to some personal experience, or at least some stories from my mother that I can technically chalk up as personal experience. Frankly, I’m in no position to speak from experience about ensuring the beneficial sleeping habits of my own child because that child does not exist. However, my parents have explained to me on a number of occasions that I once was one, and that while I was in this state of miniature stature and drool-laden helplessness, I had a fancy for sleeping. Naturally, I’ve always enjoyed these tales because I’m incredibly fond of sleep and it brings me some comfort to know that I was laying the path for myself early on even before complex thought process. What’s interesting about the story is that initially, they thought they had won the baby lotto with me because I was so easy to take care of, being too busy with my own endeavors of slumber to be bothered by such trivial activities as learning to walk.

“At first we thought it was great. We were enthralled by how good you were”, Mom says with an innocent tone, usually accompanied by a shrug. They had a pretty decent frame of reference with my older brother making his entrance into the world just thirteen months prior, and being much more of a handful, and even today suffering on and off from insomnia.

“Then we started to wonder if it was too much” she says. They found out that although babies do enjoy their sleep, and as newborns should be sleeping 11 to 18 hours per night as suggested in the article, they’re not supposed to dig on it as much as I did. The answer to the question was in my baby blood, which had an iron deficiency. So after the doctor informed my parents that they instead won the mild-case-of-anemia lotto, I was up and running with some supplements. The point to the story is that although our sleeping patterns will probably be greatly affected with the addition of a child into the household, their own sleeping schedule must be closely monitored in order to ensure their well-being.

The article goes on to give some helpful tips on putting your child to sleep, and around what age your child should be developing a consistent pattern. This video helps to illustrate that point:

So, although you may need to see a doctor yourself in result of an adopted sleep disorder after having a child, make sure you consult your doctor if you notice anything peculiar about your child’s sleeping patterns, even if it’s too much.

Stop Snoring Devices – Which One Is Most Suitable for You” is an article that gives a helpful perspective on the ever-frustrating issue that plagues so many: snoring. The author explains that there are so many devices and techniques to help with snoring, that it may seem impossible to find something that will work for you.

I’m willing to bet that you’ve seen all kinds of diverse contraptions and medicines out there which claim to be the solution towards your snoring problems. What I’ve discovered though is that they all approach the issue and also the solution from diverse angles.

The biggest problem with the matter is that while people are snoring, they unfortunately happen to also be sleeping. This makes it fairly difficult to pinpoint the reason for snoring. Some products include those that are meant to open or clear nasal passages, such as strips. Another example would be machines meant to provide airflow throughout the night, while another would be small devices that help to position the jaw forward in a position to enable better breathing.

The author gave some good advice in response to this problem. It would obviously be best to experiment with some different things, after seeing a doctor, through free trial programs. This makes the most sense considering how much money could potentially be spent on products that won’t end up working for you. It may also seem somewhat unrealistic to find very many of these programs in which you can see if the product cures your snoring before paying, but the author assures that there are plenty. Here’s a video that summarizes some different products:

We all know that snoring isn’t fun for those that have to hear it, and for those that are doing the snoring, much more can be at stake depending on how severe it is. Be sure to always consult your doctor first when it comes to these matters.

In, “WHO: Flu shot may be linked to narcolepsy“, Pandemrix is pinpointed as an H1N1 vaccine that may increase the chances of narcolepsy.

The World Health Organisation urged more investigation into possible links between Glaxo-SmithKline’s Pandemrix and other H1N1 flu vaccines and narcolepsy, a rare sleeping disorder.

I don’t think that I’m alone in expressing a concern for this peculiar find. Apparently, children injected with Glaxo-SmithKline’s “Pandemrix”, an H1N1 vaccine, were found to be nine times more likely to contract narcolepsy in a Finnish study. The World Health Organization is correct in urging continued studies into this subject. Although narcolepsy is rare, it is life-altering and oftentimes very dangerous. Those who suffer from narcolepsy experience extreme fatigue throughout the day regardless of how much sleep is obtained during the previous night, and are struck with episodes in which they fall asleep abruptly for periods lasting sometimes up to a half hour. This can be during any task, and makes it difficult to focus on most anything. Now imagine the risk simply of driving a car to and from work, and although there is medication provided for narcolepsy, complete control of the symptoms is rarely considered a possibility. There is no cure, and not too much is known about it other than that it is thought to be caused by certain genetic abnormalities. This makes the possible correlation between flu vaccines and narcolepsy in children to be that much more interesting. This video helps to further illustrate the point:

The vaccine should be suspended until further research is done. Would you give your kids this vaccine?

The article “What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia?” provides some information about a particular treatment for insomnia.

Insomnia is a complaint of a difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or non-restorative sleep that has daytime consequences.

After the article’s opening statement, it goes on to explain that insomnia is divided into two forms: primary insomnia, which is insomnia that isn’t accompanied by any other medical or psychological issues, and co-morbid insomnia, which is accompanied by or is the result of some other problem.

Upon first seeing the term “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia”, I was mildly confused as well as curious as to what it was. As someone who has a brother who suffers on and off from insomnia, I’ve seen the damage that it can cause. However, I hadn’t ever seen this term. The author explains that there are two components to what is commonly known as CBTi: the cognitive component, and the behavioral component. Apparently, the therapy is similar to any therapy in that it is a series of visits to a clinician, involving assessments and working with the patient in sessions. The first cognitive component pertains to the expulsion of thoughts that aren’t conducive to healthy sleep, since insomnia is largely due to anxiety. The second behavioral component pertains to adjusting sleep schedule and modifying potentially unhealthy habits such as alcohol or nicotine prior to bedtime.

In most cases, a sleep diary will be required, and the therapy is not a quick or easy cure. However, it seems to beat out medications which in most cases would only be a temporary cure, and could potentially cause dependency for sleep. Though the article explains CBTi to a certain extent, it didn’t contain much information about the success rate, so I did some research and found that it is actually considered the most successful treatment for insomnia. Here’s some more information in the video below:

New Help for Chronic Insomnia

As always, if you’re not sleeping consult your doctor. Insomnia is serious and should be treated as such. CBTi will probably not be easy, it should be well worth it.

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes
© 2011 SleepSounds Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha
Blog WebMastered by All in One Webmaster.