Because learning about your brain and sleep can be fun . . .
Valerian root has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Valerian, also known as Valeriana officinalis, is a plant with a knockout punch. Its roots are harvested and worked into capsules, teas, and tinctures to help people sleep. What sets valerian apart from other sleep aids on the market is its…
There is more refreshment and stimulation in a sleep, even of the briefest, than in all the alcohol ever distilled. E.V. Lucas (1868–1938) English playwright and novelist Many people believe in the power of alcohol to get a good night’s rest. There’s even a special word for it, a nightcap. On the surface, it seems…
The rain was falling out of the sky in dense sheets like it was being poured from some buckets. I was under the roof of a flat-roofed house of the kind I had cared for 35 years before when I was a student at the university. In real life, the building was one of several…
All cherries have some melatonin; tart cherries have the most. Studies have shown that consuming cherries can improve sleep quality by increasing melatonin levels in the body. Melatonin is a hormone responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycles. When we have low levels of melatonin, we may experience difficulty sleeping or staying asleep throughout the night.…
This ubiquitous seasoning has a crazy amount of health power packed in each sprinkle. Did you know a simple spice sitting in your kitchen cabinet could be packed with incredible health benefits? This popular seasoning not only adds a delightful kick to your favorite dishes but also offers an array of advantages for your well-being.…
Tired of herbal tea at bedtime? Want to try something else to help you sleep? Warm milk or atole (warmed milk with corn starch) might be what you’re looking for. Warm milk has all of the same nutrients as cold milk, but the heat used for warming the milk causes sleep-promoting compounds to get unlocked.…
We spend a significant portion of our lives sleeping. The bed should be clean and comfortable. That means fresh sheets. Failure to clean sheets regularly can also lead to unpleasant odors, skin irritation, and—in extreme cases—respiratory issues. Sheets accumulate sweat, oils, dead skin cells, and other bodily fluids over time. This creates a breeding ground…
Chamomile is a popular herbal tea often used to help people sleep. It contains a compound called apigenin, which is the active ingredient. It can be brewed using fresh or dried chamomile flowers. Most chamomile tea is consumed at bedtime. It has been used since ancient times to help people sleep and to soothe anxiety.…
“I’m no artist,” many teachers and instructors have said while attempting to draw on a board to explain something. They proceed to turn then out a homely illustration to make a point. Sometimes the students or other people in attendance will chuckle. “Ha! You sure aren’t,” they said. “What, exactly, is that supposed to be?”…
Tuning fork therapy is a fascinating practice harnessing the power of sound and vibration to promote physical and emotional well-being. By striking these specialized forks and holding them against various points on the body, practitioners unlock a world of healing potential. There are a number of therapies and wellness regimens that tuning fork self-therapy could…
If you’re going to understand the hidden aspects of your life, you’re going to have to understand your dreams. If you’re going to understand your dreams, you’re going to need to remember them. This video features some basic but powerful tips on how you can remember more of your dreams. Also on the blog:…
Dreams are fun but it’s best to acknowledge it and not to get stuck on that aspect. It’s cool when you do something like holding seven men at gunpoint in your dreams. Or when you save a life. Or when you ride a horse fast. Unfortunately, the long-term dream journaler pseudonymously named “Barb Sanders” had…
Often dreams don’t match reality in any way shape or form. In the famous short story and movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber, hapless main character Mitty has one daydream after another triggered by mundane events. In one, he’s a surgeon saving lives. In another, a fighter pilot. And in another…