Many people suffer from depression and anxiety. At the same time, some experiences sleep issues, physical pain, and heart health. Fortunately, there are some steps to relieve these health issues. For one, you can do deep breathing exercises, talk to a counselor, and use aromatherapy if you have depression or anxiety. Moreover, if you have sleep issues or insomnia, you can use natural herbal supplements, such as lavender and chamomile. This is one type of stress reduction strategy, along with other practices like using a meditation pillow, which is a way to relax your mind. Another good example is doing aerobic exercises and eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help promote heart health. With the development of...
Many people are turning to traditional Chinese medicine, such as acupressure and acupuncture, because of the benefits they offer, such as reducing stress, relieving pain, improving sleep and cognitive function. Keep reading to learn more about these forms of traditional Chinese medicine. What Is Acupressure? Acupressure is a form of massage therapy that entails applying gentle but firm pressure to specific parts of the body. It’s practiced alongside other holistic treatment techniques, such as acupuncture, tai chi, and reiki. Acupressure practitioners only use their feet, elbows, fingers, or palms, which is said to release blocked energy. It's also believed that adding pressure on the key points helps release endorphins, the chemicals that your body sends when you’re dealing with pain...
For some, the holidays are a joyous occasion they look forward to each year. Gifts, dinners, baking, decorating, shopping, and carols brighten their days. This is often celebrated in the Hallmark Christmas movies and specials you see on TV. And yet, at the same time, the holidays can be a difficult time for others. Though it isn’t talked about as much, the holidays can be filled with stress, anxiety, and depression. For these individuals, it is the time of year they dread most. These feelings shouldn't be dismissed. The toll the holidays can have on one’s physical and mental health can have lasting effects and makes it very difficult to get through. Life’s pressures are heightened during...
Whether you're new to meditation or looking to shake up your routine, choosing a meditation pillow can be extremely helpful for your practice. Just like you would make sure you had the proper tools before doing home improvement, you should make sure you have the appropriate tools for meditation. A comfortable cushion makes mental focus easier and helps keep meditation a habit. Much like meditation practices, there's no one best meditation cushion. You should buy a meditation cushion that first and foremost meets your physical needs in terms of height and shapes. But you should also buy one with a filling, color, and extras that meet your personal preferences. Why Buy A Meditation Pillow? While you can meditate in any...
A good night's sleep is one of the most important factors in your general health. Being well-rested is the key to a healthy and productive lifestyle. There are many myths surrounding the idea of sleep and everyone wants to know how they can improve their sleep and be more alert during the workday. Biphasic sleep has become popular as more and more people search for ways to find a sleep model that improves their productivity and leaves them feeling well-rested and healthy all day long. What is biphasic sleep and how can it improve your productivity? What is Biphasic sleep? Biphasic sleep, or segmented sleep, is a pattern that divides your sleep into two smaller segments of sleep throughout the...
What’s your favorite sleeping position? We all have a preferred position to fall asleep in and while we may move around a little in our sleep, it’s fairly unusual for us to change positions frequently throughout the night. But is your favorite position the best for you? Your sleeping position affects your quality of sleep and it can even affect your health. If you’re curious to find out if the way you sleep is helping or hindering you, the good news is that you’ve come to the sleep experts. Read on to find out if your sleeping position is good for you. Your sleeping position has a great impact on your sleep quality Each sleeping position affects the body...
Binging is a behavior that involves indulging in an activity to excess – and it’s rarely seen as positive. Binging on a TV series, computer games, food, alcohol, and even exercise can be harmful. Health and wellness experts often say balance is key, but recent research has shown that binging on sleep over a long weekend can restore energy levels – if done correctly. Sleep debt occurs when you repeatedly don’t get enough sleep. As a result, it accumulates and can adversely affect your health and how you feel. Sleep experts have said for years that sleep debt repayment is possible, but simply sleeping in on Saturday and Sunday isn’t enough and can throw off your sleep schedule. The “long...
In an ideal world, we would get all the vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients we need from our diet - but that’s not always the case! Even when we try our best to eat balanced meals and get plenty of fruits and veggies, we don’t always meet our requirements. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can be caused by medication, age, absorption problems, or health conditions. This is where supplements come in. The Council for Responsible Nutrition published a survey that found that 75% of Americans take a supplement each day. Supplements can help your body get enough nutrients, manage weight, improve sleep, strengthen cognitive abilities, increase physical endurance and even prevent disease. If you want to reach your...
An age-old slumber party activity is pulling an all-nighter. Kids get together and see who can stay awake the longest. This may seem like fun at the age of twelve, but these all-nighters aren’t as exciting when we're older. If you or your child hasn’t studied, yet they have an important exam the next day, going without sleep in order to study may seem like a good idea. An all-nighter is when you choose to skip sleep and time spent on your water pillow and instead stay awake. Essentially, it’s conscious sleep deprivation. Unlike insomnia, where you cannot sleep despite your best efforts, an all-nighter is when you consciously try to stay awake all night. For example, you may continue to...
If you don’t have anxiety you likely know someone who does. Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the United States. It is defined by the American Psychological Association as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. As a result, they may avoid certain situations out of worry”. These particular situations can be performance-related, such as speaking in public, giving a presentation, or being called on in class. Or, anxiety can be triggered during social situations, which is known as social anxiety. There are also certain situations that can trigger anxiety at home - like bedtime! ...
When we talk about pillows, we often assume the one under our head, but many people also use them to make their body feel more comfortable. For example, some people like to hug a pillow while they sleep, and others prefer one behind their back or between their legs. These “bonus” pillows aren’t just a weird habit some people have picked up but can actually help improve their sleep! Here are just a few ways a body pillow can enhance the quality of sleep: Reduces snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects 22 million Americans and has the potential to cause serious health concerns and significantly disrupt sleep if not addressed. Positional therapy helps an individual...
Sleeping with tinnitus can be challenging. The ringing in your ears can make it hard to fall or even stay asleep. While ringing in the ear can be less noticeable during the day when you're engaged in some activity and distracted by other noises, tinnitus can get annoyingly louder in the quiet of your bedroom, preventing you from falling asleep. The bad thing about not getting adequate sleep at night is that it can worsen your tinnitus, making it even more challenging to fall asleep. Not only can sleep deprivation affect your everyday life, but it can, over time, result in depression and fatigue. However, this doesn't mean you'll struggle with sleep for the rest of your life just because...
