Reframing Your Thoughts Mental and emotional well-being are closely connected to sleep patterns. When individuals experience low self-esteem, they may be more prone to negative thoughts, anxiety and stress – and these factors can interfere with the ability to relax and fall asleep. Low self-esteem might impact sleep in the following ways: Negati …
Light stimulates alertness. That’s a good thing first thing in the morning, but during the evening it can cause sleep disruption. When darkness descends at the end of the day, the light sensitive cells in our retinas signal our brains that it’s time to prepare for sleep. The pineal gland switches “on” and begins producing melatonin (aka the sleep ho …
Have you been outside today? Researchers from the Lighting Research Center in New York have found that a good dose of morning light — from either the sun or an artificial source — makes office workers sleep better and feel less stressed and depressed, compared to those subjected to low light. Scientists confirm we need exposure to light during t …
Sleep paralysis can be a frightening disorder, with the sensation of being paralysed while awake. It’s the momentary inability to move either just before sleep onset or when transitioning from REM sleep to awakening. During sleep paralysis, people cannot move or speak, though they can open their eyes and they are well aware of their surroundings. T …
At the centre of health and wellbeing is good sleep. We need sleep to rejuvenate our bodies, to boost our immune system, and to consolidate short-term memories into long-term ones. We need it for the release of human growth hormone and for the brain to clear out harmful toxins. Without sleep our mood, energy and mental alertness are compromised, wh …
REM stands for rapid eye movement but a great deal happens during REM sleep other than our eyes darting backwards and forwards in fast succession. To fully understand REM sleep, it’s useful to understand the whole sleep cycle. Types Of Sleep There are two types of sleep: REM sleep and non-REM sleep. Non-REM sleep is divided into three stages: st …
One of the simplest solutions to keeping noise at bay is to use sound dampening curtains. Steven Woods from Yorkshire Fabric Shop explains how they work. There’s a sense of serenity when you come home after a busy day at work and enjoy a quiet, relaxing night. But we are often disturbed by sounds of passing vehicles, music blaring from ano …
Raw food chef Fi Jamieson-Folland creates a delicious, healthy dressing for homemade salads. Sleep diet approved! Most people would prefer a healthy option if possible – the tastier the better! And there’s certainly no shortage of tasty treats around, although they’re not always healthy. Blend this mix for a great source of nutrients, including …
Sweet and spicy carrot chips give this healthy, anti-inflammatory salad a flavoursome crunch. Sleep diet approved! When making carrot chips, you can use any spice or herb you like. Turmeric provides a mildly spiced, sweetish taste, while curry powder gives more of a bite. Both spices are anti-inflammatory. Turmeric is best co …
This healthy salad makes a delicious side dish for dinner or a full meal for lunch. It contains foods rich in tryptophan and melatonin and good amounts of magnesium. Nourishing your body throughout the day will help you to sleep better at night. Beetroot – A good source of tryptophan, which is converted to serotonin (the ‘happy hormone’) then m …
New research suggests that prebiotics, which serve as food for good bacteria inside the gut, can also improve sleep and buffer the physiological impacts of stress. In recent years, reams of research papers have shed light on the health benefits of probiotics, the “good bacteria” found in fermented foods and dietary supplements. Now a first-of-its ki …
Scientists have long known that light stimulates alertness and helps to reset our circadian rhythms . But a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology confirms that bright light early in the morning can also aid tryptophan levels. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin which is itself a precursor to melatonin. The hig …
