Have I mentioned that I don't want kids?

I thought I may have done so.

I'm in MI for about a month visiting family. Circumstances are kind of grim: my sister was in the hospital, 6mos pregnant w/her first baby, complications ensued. I came to be w/her, she had an emergency c-section and the baby died after an hour. But I'm not talking about all that right now.

It's cold here, really cold, and this house is quite full. Me, mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, grandma, and 3 year old nephew. Another sister flits in and out, while another, the mother of the kid, calls and calls. This is a small house. I hang out in the basement, and every step taken upstairs sounds like elephants stampeding.

My life? My cozy life w/husband and dogs in California? My life is only loud when and if I choose. Yes, my husband ticks very loudly from time to time, but that's a 1-5 second thing. Yes, I hang out with high schoolers at church, but that's once a week, and they can be made to hush if necessary.

What am I saying? I'm saying that I've been here a week and a half, and it's high time I spent the night elsewhere. I have 17 more days. Days I'm grateful for, even if I miss my husband terribly. I'm glad to have a relaxing time with my family and friends; to not have to schedule multiple appointments on each day to try to see everyone. I think it's all God's doing that I'm even here-- I used a free ticket that we got as a result from being bumped from another free flight. I got here about 36 hours before my sister's baby died, being able to see sis in the hospital happy before that happened. My sister and brother-in-law have a house on base that will be ready for them soon, so we'll be leaving on the same day. I'm supposed to be here, and I'm supposed to be here for the time frame I have planned.

But it's still hard sometimes.

Hypnosis For Insomnia

Are you getting into bed near the time that everyone else is getting up? It might be cold comfort to know that you are among the 20 million Americans who endure insomnia. If a groggy head, dark circles and nights spent lying awake have become commonplace for you, a hypnosis insomnia program could bring the relief you need.

No doubt you believe you have tried everything to fall asleep, including a stiff drink, over-the-counter-sleep aids or even highly addictive prescription sleeping pills. All lead to the same end: You develop a tolerance, your "sleep" is not restful and the next morning, you felt drugged and lethargic. Hypnosis insomnia therapy can bring safe, effective sleep without side effects.

Many people wrongly believe that hypnosis is sleep. But effective hypnosis insomnia programs will only bring results if you are awake while in a deep state of relaxation. In this state, your unconscious is more open and accepting to guidance. In the most successful programs, post-hypnotic suggestions are given to you to remove tension and create a positive expectation of restful sleep. NLP for a sleep disturbance is generally effective after the first session because we are inclined to get what we expect, so you will sleep soundly all through the night.

After thoroughly relaxing, the next step in hypnotic insomnia therapy is discovering what induces you to suffer from a sleep disturbance. Another vital part of a hypnosis insomnia course entails looking small changes to your evening ritual that will have the most significant effect on your ability to quickly fall asleep for restful and sound slumber all night long.

At the center of a successful NLP insomnia program lies Neuro-Linguistic Programming, or NLP. Powerful NLP techniques can be used to "flip" things around in the unconscious so that thoughts and experiences that previously prompted stressful feelings will actually cause relaxation instead.

Alleviating stress is paramount for a NLP insomnia treatment to be effective, and NLP visualizations can instruct the unconscious to automatically get rid off disturbing thoughts and feelings that create stress. These peaceful feelings stay with you through the day so that when it is time for bed, you can fall asleep quickly and rest throughout the entire night without disturbance.

In addition to using effective NLP techniques in NLP insomnia programs, Ericksonian Hypnotic Metaphors are also worthwhile. Basically, a qualified hypnotherapist creates a metaphor, or a parable, that directs your unconscious to subdue your thoughts-especially at night-to get rid of any fear or anxiety about lying awake.

To permanently conquer a sleep disturbance, learning to relax with self-hypnosis is required, but it is not always practical to listen to a CD or watch a DVD. Learning how to give yourself post-hypnotic suggestions anytime, anywhere to trigger deep relaxation can be accomplished easily. That's right-you can successfully use self-hypnosis insomnia suggestions any time you need them.

Hypnosis insomnia programs cannot harm you in any way. A hypnotherapist cannot get you to say or do anything that you do not want to. You remain completely in control, and there is no "hypnotized feeling" that you have to shake off. In fact, the worst that could possibly happen is that you might fall asleep for thirty minutes or so. That's the point of hypnosis for insomnia in the first place!

Hypnotherapy instructions for insomnia can be directives to the unconscious to draw on pleasant fantasies and memories to create pleasant dreams and relaxation. You will feel tranquil at bedtime and have a positive expectation of sound and restful sleep. And that positive expectation will help you fall asleep quickly, and the dreams will make you sleep soundly and restfully all night long.

Additionally, NLP programs are highly effective; it has been reported that most people are hypnotizable to a greater or lesser extent. However, those with less than a 70 IQ or those who are in an active state of psychosis generally are not hypnotizable. Most senile people are also difficult or impossible to hypnotize. Like any move to improve the quality of your life, your motivation is imperative for success.

Everyone responds uniquely to each type of hypnosis, so be sure your NLP insomnia program offers several different methods, like NLP and Ericksonian Metaphors, to bring you the results that you are seeking. Most NLP insomnia program participants remark their sleep issues are alleviated by hypnosis, and insomnia simply fades away like a bad dream.

Autor: Alan B. Densky, CH

Alan B. Densky, CH has been a practicing hypnotherapist for thirty yrs. He's done extensive research on sleep disturbances, and created an effective hypnosis insomnia program. Visit the Neuro-VISION hypnotherapy website to enjoy his Free hypnosis videos, and hypnosis article index.


Added: January 25, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Hypnosis-For-Insomnia/2~

Drink to Your Health

stay properly hydrated is one of the easiest and cheapest way to stay in good health. The benefits of drinking water include increased health and vitality, improve energy efficiency and weight control. Drink filtered water improves the chances for the hydration of the body in a healthy and safe manner. Unfiltered water with chlorine, volatile organic compounds, lead and other potentially harmful substance. Equally important is not just enough water to drink, but to drink water that is safe and effective to maintain health and wellness.

water is essential for the health and vitality. The body consists of 60-70% water, and water is sufficient for the prevention of health problems such as urine or kidney stones, dry eyes, dry skin, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gout, constipation, insomnia and cancer. Drink filtered water flushes the waste, keep the skin moist, relieves headaches and helps in the digestion of food. Drinking water is necessary for the body to digest and absorb vitamins and nutrients. Mild dehydration is one of the most common causes of fatigue, and it is estimated that two-thirds of Americans are chronically dehydrated and easily. Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pain in joints and muscles, back pain, headache and constipation, dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth. If you are dehydrated your body absorb more calories from the food you eat, but you get no nutritional value is. It is of crucial importance for our health to consume adequate water to aid in the absorption of nutrients. Stay hydrated and also helps regulate appetite and can play an important role in proper nutrition and weight control. Drinking an adequate amount of water can suppress appetite and speed up the metabolism. There is a direct correlation between the quality of the water we drink and weight loss. Drink filtered water to aid in the livers metabolize fat into energy. The liver works in conjunction with the kidneys to eliminate toxins from the body. If the water is contaminated, the liver must spend most of its energy, the elimination of toxins as fat. As a result, fat is stored rather than burned for weight loss. Water is a natural appetite suppressant, which help in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Drinking filtered water is an important part of our daily needs to stay healthy, active and fit. A diet, the 8 glasses of water per day, will greatly enhance our chances of a happier healthy lifestyle, while our energy and vitality and keep our bodies very happy.

The benefits of drinking filtered water touching almost every aspect of human life. When it comes to drinking water for wellness, it is equally important to the quality of water we drink, as it the amount of water that we consume. The best way to make your body fit, healthy and energy drink is a sufficient amount of filtered water each day.

 

For more information on water filters and whole house water filters visit Aspen Water Filters at: http://www.aspenwaterfilters.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Dorville

The Elite Insomnia Hormone: Melatonin

Insomnia is commonly linked with a natural hormone produced by the body. This hormone is known as melatonin, and it makes the body feel physically tired and 'encourages' the sleep cycle. It is produced by the pineal gland in the brain. This insomnia hormone is also made synthetically and is used as an effective treatment for insomnia.

Melatonin: The Top Insomnia Hormone

Melatonin works in a series of ways to reduce the effects of insomnia. It has been proven to decrease body temperature, suppress stimulating hormones produced by the body, and promote relaxation. This soothing affect is the major attraction to the hormone.

The body responds to darkness or bedtime by producing melatonin to make us tired and go to sleep. However, there is another cycle at work here: the body needs sleep for it to function properly.

The Major Issue With Insomnia

If your body is producing an insufficient amount of melatonin and suffering from insomnia as a result, the body is at risk for much more serious problems. Sleep is necessary to rejuvenate the body and mind. Without enough sleep, it is far too difficult to stay alert and focused throughout the day. Lack of sleep also slows reaction time, which is a typical justification for car and machinery accidents.

When a person is suffering from insomnia, their body's immune system is also weakened. High-quality sleep is vital in building a strong immune system. This causes many insomniacs to be sick more often than most, too.

How Can Melatonin Help?

Melatonin is produced less as we age. That is the main reason insomnia is common in adults than in children. This steady reduction of melatonin can be supplemented by a person taking the insomnia hormone in pill form. By increasing the body"s levels of melatonin, a person can then overcome the insomnia because the body is responding naturally again to the cues form the hormone to induce sleep.

Melatonin is not a cure-all for insomnia, though. In some insomnia patients, Melatonin is not the cause of their sleeplessness. In this case, then melatonin supplements might not help at all.

The insomnia hormone Melatonin is essential to a person's sleep cycles. A person with low melatonin production will not only have problems sleeping, but can also get sick more often, can have more accidents, and usually has problems functioning during the day. This is why it is very important to keep melatonin levels constant. The medical community has worked very hard to create herbal synthetic Melatonin insomnia hormone supplements for this reason, and they very well could be the answer you've been looking for!

Autor: Benjamin Edwards

Wondering where to get a Melatonin supplement that's totally safe? Check out Melatrol: a doctor-recommended herbal insomnia remedy. Sign up for your free 14-part insomnia eCourse at http://TiredOfInsomnia.com!


Added: January 22, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/The-Elite-Insomnia-Horm~

Conventional Medical Treatment for Insomnia

Description

Insomnia is an extremely frustrating condition, during which normal sleep patterns are consistently interrupted-either when falling asleep, in the middle of the night, or very early in the morning. One, two, or three consecutive sleep deprived nights can make you less alert, easily confused, and unusuaUllifatigued. Four or more terfere with motor skills, physical coordination, and problem-solving abilities. It also can make you moody, prone to depression, and susceptible to infectious illnesses, such as the common cold and flu. In some people, prolonged sleeplessness can even cause hallucinations, psychosis, and delusions.

Insomnia is a very personalized condition; it can be caused by a multitude of factors, including job stress, money concerns, depression, alcohol or drug use, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, jet lag, caffeine, sleep deprivation due to having a newborn infant, and trying to sleep in a noisy environment.

Signs and Symptoms

Difficulty falling asleep

Inability to fall asleep after waking up in the middle of the night

Waking up earlier than usual

Anxiety over whether or not you will be able to fall-and remain-asleep

Daytime sleepiness

Conventional Medical Treatment

If you have not had a good night's sleep for four or more days in a row, visit your physician, who will examine you to ensure that a physical ailment, such as hyperthyroidism or sleep apnea, is not the cause of your insomnia. Insomnia is also a symptom of depression, which your doctor also may explore. If a medical or psychological cause of your insomnia is determined, it must be addressed in order for your usual sleep patterns to resume.

Often, there is no underlying medical factor behind a person's sleep difficulties. Instead, the problem may be rooted in poor "sleep hygiene." Sleep hygiene means following a fixed routine of activities that the body associates with sleep on set, including adhering to set sleep and waking times (even on weekends), avoiding stimulating activities (such as exercising, watching an emotional movie, or reading an upsetting book) within three hours of bedtime, avoiding all stimulants (such as caffeine) within six hours of retiring, creating a noise-free environment for sleep, and ensuring that the bedroom is a comfortable temperature. Other sleep hygiene measures include eliminating daytime naps and setting aside time during the day to attend to (or simply keep a journal of) the worries that keep you awake at night.

Autor: Brain

Read out for Home remedies. Check out green tea and body mass index calculator


Added: January 20, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Conventional-Medical-Tr~

Natural Remedies For Restless Leg Syndrome - Three Benefits

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is where the people are very strange sensation, and they can not urge their legs to relieve the sensation. It is a sleep disorder, because these symptoms happen at night. People with restless leg syndrome can spend many a few sleepless nights. RLS not only affects the legs, but you may have problems with the arms and torso are. If you think you have symptoms of RLS should ask your doctor for advice. While there are medications available for this condition, many people who suffer from RLS are looking for natural remedy for restless leg syndrome, because it benefits.

One advantage is that you can not avoid the drugs for the rest of your life. Some people are opposed to the prescription of drugs for a long time. Some drugs can be addictive, or they have many side effects. Use of natural remedies for RLS and is an attractive approach. For example, some medications for RLS can be very sleepy. While this is good to help you sleep at night. However, it could affect your daily activities, therefore, that a drug counter-productive. Natural remedies reports this kind of side effects, because you are with the body's natural resources to cure the condition, which leads me to my next point.

Another advantage is that there are more medications for this condition in the future. So now they can wait for a chance for the new generation of RLS drugs, it may be beneficial to your body. The cause of RLS is not known at this particular time. So even though there are drugs on the market at the time you restless legs syndrome, it is not really concerned with the cause of the disease. Hopefully more research will help us closer to finding the cause and eventually the creation of an effective drug.

Finally, your overall health can improve with a natural approach. For example, there have been some theories, and research suggests that restless leg syndrome may be due to a shortage. So the changes in your diet can help, dass For example, to remedy a defect of the body needs more vitamins and minerals, and you need to eat vitamin-rich vegetables and eat foods that are not processed. You may need to eliminate or limit any bad habits, you have your body, to reduce the resources (such as smoking).

We have only discussed some of the advantages of using natural remedies for restless leg syndrome. As you can see the changes in your life and eliminate the bad things in your life, perhaps even help when it comes to this situation very unpleasant. While any attempt to remove or type, you should seek your physician advice and research.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects an opinion. This article is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult a physician for all medical advice.

 

For more information on natural remedies for restless leg syndrome, go to http://www.aboutsleepdisorder.com, for further information on many sleep disorders and treatments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Purfield

Beverages That Can Cause Insomnia

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Routine Maintenance

I've started adding tags/labels to my posts, so I'm going back over them all (oh, ALL of them! the millions of posts!) and slowly adding them. So, if you start clicking on things, you're not going to find everything yet. This is a process.

Ignoring The Boss to start post 2

I'm trying to keep going. Oy, I can't go on looking at Mickey Rourke.

I believe that I doubt my commitment to these awards. If I can barely keep my finger from the skip button while watching, why would anyone, especially ones not watching, want to read my commentary? Alas, it was worth a try. I am throwing in the towel at the 16 minute mark, enjoying Simon Baker but confused by his trying to keep his accent down.

Arianna Huffington, I tried. I tried to just blog. To not edit, to just write, to put it out there. I can't do it. Thank you for your support.

Ze Golden Globe Awards

So, what I' m going to try to do here is a live commentary whilst watching the awards. Well, I'm going to start them a bit late, and I shall skip through some parts, because, c'mon, I'm not getting paid for this, I am probably bad at it, and it's for my own lulz. I'm going to try to make sense at the time. This is really an exercise in fun.

Commence!

Ooh, too much fake tanner and Greek goddess extensions on that Acess Hollywood chick.
Could the theme song be more annoying? Doubtful. Drew Barrymore's hair doubts it, too. It is large with disapproval.

J.Lo, do you have a different style of dress? I don't think you do. Good thing this one is golden.

Does Penelope Cruz have a deal with the devil? That Viola Davis is pretty.

Yay for Kate Winslet! I love her so much. And she's sitting with Leo- lovely.
Okay, now shut up.

Gah! Can I have the title of "Social Activist," or can only rich, famous, beardy people like Sting have it. I mean, I am active on social networking sites, and I also could be called a social butterfuly sometimes. I'm taking it.

Less than 8 minutes in, I want 2 follicular interventions to be done: Sting and, someone, for the love of Pete, tell Billy Ray Cyrus that his hair is unacceptable!

This isn't a very interesting post so far. May abort, abort!

Why I love Twilight

I've been poking around a lot online (some would call it "obsessed." "Some" would be my husband.) and reading stuff about Twilight--generally snark, some articles, interviews with the cast (some members more than others are represented in my searches.)

It appears that the great majority of the snarky writers and of the haters seem to be up in arms (Shocked!) about a teenybopper book catering to an allegedly anti-feminist idea of a girl wanting a knight in shining armor and men being fairly dominant. Another group of them feels that a message of abstinence is antiquated and also anti-feminist. Most do not understand why, on Stephenie Meyer's sparkly earth, would grown-ass wimmins be reading these books, watching the movie, and salivating over them both. The general opinion seems to be that these are books FOR TEENAGERS, so ONLY teenagers should read and enjoy them. Anyone over the age of 16 who loves them is gross and wrong and needs to get a life. (Um, Harry Potter much?)

I sincerely beg of these people that they get off their high horses, take the sticks out of their collective bums, go soak their heads, or whichever command will get them off my dazzling, vampire-loving back.

Am I saying you're not allowed to dislike or hate these books? Not at all! What I find disheartening though, and there is a LOT of it on the web for any and every subject, is the poisonous disdain for people who do enjoy something you find stupid. As if you are the learned and wise one, while the 40 bajillion people who love scrapbooking, those creepily realistic stuffed cats, genre fiction, and Jesus are stupid and beneath you. And I'm a certified snob, myself! I'm sure you could go back through my very own blog and find a post where I am heaping scorn upon someone for liking something that makes me hurl. (Actually, I just looked and didn't find anything exactly like this. Whoosh! Narrowly escaped that little bit of hypocrisy!)

What I find irritating is that many (not all) of these posters seem to feel that everything they read is sensical, upright, empowering, deadly serious, and Good, while the Twilight books are brain-sapping, oppressive, and Bad. It's a freaking YA vampire romance novel! And if you think that much of the adult novels in the same genre are feminist tracts firmly grounded in reality and excellent writing, I have a bridge to sell you.

Yep, I've read a lot of those, too. And most of them suck. I've read at least 7 books by Sherrilyn Kenyon, almost every one of them exactly the same woman-hating, ridiculously bad, he-man saves the day after a sensitive woman heals his black soul bullcrap. It's a formula that I go to for comfort and brain-off entertainment. I am a seminary student with papers to write, deep stuff that hurts my brain to read, oft-conflicting beliefs to examine and juggle, and people's eternal souls to ponder and worry over, not least of all my own and my husband's.

I cannot frikking get my head into most "grown-up" contemporary fiction. It's boring! It's hard to slog through the thousands of new releases to figure out what I'll actually like and find something that itsn't about depressed middle class marriages where at least one person wants to kill themselves and they all hate each other. On the other hand, I can be reasonably sure that any urban fantasy or paranormal romance book I pick up is going to be a) kind of predictable, b) poorly written and edited, and c) at least 85% entertaining.

I first read Twilight in '06, because I love YA fantasy books, and it has vampires. End reasons. I remember thinking that it was only okay, and that while I didn't feel the need to go on to the next books, I probably would eventually if I was casting about for something to read. Two years later, enter 'Nette. 'Nette is in love with the books, and absolutely wanted to see the movie. I had half an interest in the movie, mostly due to the pulsing excitment of my h.s. girls and their enthusiasm for Team Cullen. So I semi-reluctantly went to see the movie on New Years Day. (really. Just last week. This thing is only 9 days old.) Though I didn't realize it right away, it was starting to crumble (my dignity, my sanity) right there.

I thought the movie was pretty good, with only a couple eye-rolling "OMG! We're so in love! OMG OMG OMG!!!!!1" moments. And, I'm sorry, but Robert Pattinson is seriously a beautiful boy. Seriously. So, I borrowed the 2nd book from 'NettaBobetta and read it that night. Then it was seriously all over. I had to know!!! I bought Eclipse (hardcover. ack!) and read it at the airports and on the planes. (I saw at least 5 other people in the airports w/Twilight books. All adults.) I went to church on Sunday (movie + 68 hours) and immediately went up to the first group of h.s. girls I saw, like a junkie needing her fix. "Do any of you have Breaking Dawn??!!" I thought I may have to go to someone's house to grab it, but one of those wonderful, obsessive girls had it in her car at church, so I was able to get it right away. Joy!

And you know what? I loved it. The teenage wedding, freaky rough sex (off-page, of course), creepy vampire baby, imprinting, non-fight- all of it.

Did I absolutely love every part of the books and think they're gems of literature and girls should be Just Like Bella? No! They're FANTASY. Escapism. Fairy Tales. Bella drove me mad most of the time, with her moping and defining herself solely based on the boys in her life and incessant lack of self-confidence. But find me more than a handful of teenage girls who aren't like that! Is that ideal? Of course not. Do you really think that traditional fairy tales build them up into strong, independent women? They're all about girls waiting for princes or the brave girls who will go ahead and die for the good of the weak men or their village. It's not pretty. But I can also guarantee you that my students at church also got a little sick of Bella's whining and they picture themselves as much more independent than she is. I think they also notice the love she has for her dad, but the crappy way she treats him, and they'll think about that. Yes, I worry a little bit about what example Bella & Edward set for them, but that's exactly why I'm going to talk to them about it. I'm going to ask them about Jacob's assault and Edward's controlling ways.

And I do appreciate the message of abstinence. I don't like that so much out there now tells teens that sex is no big deal, when it is. And you can live without it, even when you really really want it. You will live. You can talk. Even though it's not highlighted as much as it is with Jacob, Edward and Bella's relationship is barely physical, and they talk and spend time together and are deep friends. This is a good thing! It's actually pretty healthy to show a realistic view of sex instead of hiding it away and pretending that boys want it, girls don't, and it's not all that great, just keep it in your pants until marriage. Yes, I know that they *did* wait until marriage, at Edward's request, but believe me, I grew up in a semi-fundie school and you just weren't supposed to talk about or want it or acknowledge its existence. Only bad kids had sex. We weren't given any practical expectations, models, or advice other than "Don't!"

Why would I, a happily married, mostly completely satisfied with my life, almost mid-30s woman like it so much? As I mentioned before, escapism. Brain-off entertainment. Romance. Fun. I adore my husband and want to climb him like a tree most days, but that doesn't mean that I have zero bagage about my desirability. That doesn't mean that guys liked me when I was younger. It doesn't mean that I don't like reading about sweeping love and sex and immortality and strength after doing dishes and prying socks out of my dog's mouth. No, it doesn't make me wish I was Bella, or seriously pine over teenage boys (ick!). It makes me want my husband even more. It just stirs up romance in general, at least for me. That's it.

Does Robert Pattinson need to worry about me? Nah. I'd blush like an idiot if I met him, just like I did when I nearly met Alan Rickman, who is way too old for me. Pretty boys are nice, no matter their age. I'm human. And I love vampires. So nyah.

Happy to Be Alive Day!

As I posted my Twilight blurb, I saw today's date and remembered that it is a holiday for me.
Sixteen years ago, I tried to kill myself. A stupid boy was the proverbial straw, but I had been depressed for a while and remained so for some time. Thankfully, I didn't want to die that bad, because I went to work and told my boss about the pills I'd taken. And I had my wonderful family and loving friends to pick me back up, dust me off (sometimes a little too roughly, sheesh! aggressive much?) and kick my butt back into the world.
I can't say I've never looked back, but I am very happy and know how to wrestle my depression to the ground when I need to do so.

So, be happy to be alive! I am!

Also, happy birthday to Greg Smith, wherever he is.

Twihard (I guess. I don't know.)



I'm working on a semi-coherent, thoughtful entry on Twilight: the books, the movie, the phenomenon. Stay tuned.

For now, be content with RPattz.

Chinese Medicine and Insomnia

Chinese medicine has been in constant practice for over 5,000 years. It has withstood the test of time. Western medical practitioners have only recently been even remotely interested in the concepts of Chinese medicine, but they are beginning to recognize it now as viable medicine.

According to Chinese medicine, insomnia is caused by an imbalance of yin and yang that stems from the liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, or heart. All of these organs are dependent upon one another, so all of them are suspected of causing the problem of insomnia. The organ that Chinese medicine concentrates on first is the liver. The liver, they say, filters all of the blood in our bodies between the hours of 1 AM and 3 AM. A weak liver many times is listed as the cause for insomnia.

Chinese medicine recommends taking Chinese Bitters in the morning and Coptis or Curcuma at night for people who have insomnia. They say that these natural herbs are helpful in improving the quality as well as the quantity of sleep for most people.

Depression brought on by stress destroys the balance of yin and yang and disrupts Qi. Stress causes the liver to weaken. Also those who have a damaged gall bladder or who have had their gall bladder remove are in danger of weakening their liver. Chinese Bitters and Coptis or Curcuma can help with these conditions as well.

Restoring Qi and the balance of yin and yang are essential for a good night's sleep. All of the organs must be in harmony, and the liver must be functioning at its top form because it must work harder at night. By taking the herbs Chinese Bitters and Coptis or Curcuma, you can restore the balance of yin and yang and cause your liver to function as it should.

Autor: Jeff Austin

For more important information on getting a good night's sleep be sure to visit www.sleep-good.com where you will find advice and tips on insomnia restless leg, sleep apnea, snoring, and more


Added: January 9, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Chinese-Medicine-and-In~

Natural Cure for Insomnia that Works

A difficulty in falling asleep and maintaining good sleep is how doctors describe insomnia. It is a symptom, not a disease or a diagnosis. The average person will experience insomnia once in their lifetime with up to 50 percent of people in the world suffering from it at one time or another for more than a few nights.

Many people do not like to take medications to help them sleep and look towards a more natural cure for insomnia. There are many things you can do to promote sleep, alleviate stress and reduce stimulation, the two major causes of insomnia.

One tried and true natural cure for insomnia is to drink warm milk before bed time. An alternative to milk is a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water or straight up. You could even eat a very light carbohydrate snack. 5-HTP delivered from tryptophan such as that found in turkey, is an amino acid that will help you fall asleep. 5-HTP boosts levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps to regulate sleep. Other foods that might contribute to a good nights sleep are starchy foods such as grains, potatoes, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice and oatmeal. However, you do not want to go to bed on a full stomach. These items should be eaten in moderation, as a light snack before bed. All of these methods should help you to gain a good night sleep and help you feel rested in the morning.

Don"t like milk? Drink herbal teas like passionflower, skullcap, lavender, valerian, California poppy, St. Johns Wart, hops and chamomile which all have sedative properties that can help your mind and body ready itself for sleep. Most can be found at health food stores and should be sipped about an hour before turning in at night.

Getting enough vitamins is another essential ingredient to a natural cure for insomnia. Several different B vitamins have been shown to reduce insomnia so a B complex vitamin would be a good choice taken daily would help with your insomnia. Other vitamins include magnesium, zinc and calcium has long been known to calm the nervous system which will help you fall asleep.

Melatonin is a natural occurring, sleep inducing hormone in the brain. Although some people may lack the ability to produce this and that may be a cause of their insomnia. Scientists have discovered a way to duplicate this naturally and without any side effects, it is a natural cure for insomnia. The recommended dosage is between 0.3 to 3 milligrams per night.

Some people believe in magnetic therapy and sleep with negative magnets on a magnetic pad either all over their bed or around their head. However, it can be difficult to calibrate the exact amount of magnets, the strength and the positioning needed to help be a natural cure for insomnia.

Avoiding caffeine after 2 pm and exercising early in the day are good advice and will help work together with the above suggestions for a natural cure for insomnia.


Autor: Paul Haughney

Paul Hockney suffered from Insomnia for many years. Having researched Insomnia Treatment he eventually found a cure that worked. Find Free Advice and Natural Sleep Aid reviews from Paul at http://www.HelpSleepProblems.com


Added: January 6, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Natural-Cure-for-Insomn~

Natural Sleep Aids Uncovered

There are many natural sleep aids that will help you if you have insomnia which is a chronic inability to sleep over a long period of time.

Herbs
Herbal remedies are on the rise and one in particular, valerian has long been used as a natural sleep aid to cure insomnia. Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany all sell this natural herb over the counter.

Exactly how valerian works in the system is a mystery to doctors but they know it works. Some studies propose that it works like other sleep aides in that it affects the calming neurotransmitter, GABA.

Valerian is not addictive like some pharmaceuticals nor does it cause grogginess. It is, however, not without side affects; dizziness, headaches, indigestion and heart palpitations can all occur while taking valerian. And valerian can not be taken with any other medications, particularly sedatives that depress the middle nervous structure.

The human body naturally produces a hormone called Melatonin. The pineal gland makes serotonin in the brain and then it is transformed into melatonin when it is restricted from light.

People with schizophrenia, depression or any serious illness, such as an autoimmune disease should not take melatonin.

An anti-anxiety herb, Kava could be helpful for anxiety related insomnia. Conversely, the FDA - Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers who use any type of products with Kava as a main ingredient because it can cause severe liver damage. There have been cases of severe liver damage in other countries but not here in the US.

Aroma therapy
The sent of many different flowers and essential oils have long been thought to bring about sleep in those who find it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Lavender is one of the most widely used aroma therapy oils for insomnia. Other oils that seem to help are ylang ylang and chamomile.

Acupuncture
A study by the University of Pittsburg suggested that the use of acupuncture maybe an effective cure for insomnia. The study showed that five weeks of acupuncture increased the production of melatonin in the brain during the evening hours and helped the patients fall asleep better.

Exercise
The lack of exercise can contribute to insomnia; however when you exercise can also have become a factor for lack of sleep. Exercising in the morning will help you to feel better throughout the day and help you sleep better at night. Exercising to close to bed time will increase your adrenaline and you will have trouble with your sleep.

Relaxation
Falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer, relaxation techniques are one of the best ways to get a good night sleep.

Visualization
this involves a relaxing scene your mind creates. You must be in bed and try to engross all your senses. Most people pick a tropical island and imagine the sand, sun, the water and just a relaxing time. You can smell the sea water and feel the spray of the ocean on your face. This is a good visualization and will help you relax.


Autor: Paul Haughney

Paul Hockney suffered from Insomnia for many years. Having researched Natural Sleep Aids he eventually found a cure that worked. Find Free Advice and Natural Sleep Aid reviews from Paul at http://www.HelpSleepProblems.com


Added: January 5, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Natural-Sleep-Aids-Unco~