It has been a common belief that counting sheep can put you to sleep. That was before. Today however it seems that this is not as effective. Thanks to some researchers over at the Oxford University, trying to count sheep, imagine a peaceful scene, or go about their usual pre-sleep routine was conducted. While counting sheep can still make you sleep, it seems that it took a longer time to set in. Worst, it seems to have a bad effect.

Oxford researchers concluded that the activity doesn’t take up “sufficient cognitive space” within the brain to distract from other thoughts. In other words, counting sheep is so repetitive and boring that most people who try to do it don’t last long enough to see any success.

So if that doesn’t work, what does? Well you can try these things out:

• Make lists in your head
• Focus on your breathing and connect it to counting
• Imagine Yourself Focus on your breathing and connect it to counting
• Focus on tightening and relaxing every muscle group in your body

See which works for your and let us know!

Read

a

For sure most of you drink coffee. Though you may not be the coffee drinking addict, it remains that some people would be offered in coffee stores like Starbucks “Regular” or “Decaf”? Especially if you are visiting them in the night, normally we have this belief that decaf will not bother us that much when it comes to sleeping when we get home. Or does it?

Coffee is still coffee. While drinking decaf is supposed to have lower caffeine content, an element that is supposed to keep us awake, it seems that it doesn’t matter. For one, being awake would depend not only on what we consume but also in our overall state.

For example, if we have had a rigorous day and our bodies are really about to collapse on us, you can be assured that not even coffee can keep us awake. We may end up telling ourselves that we would take a nap but sooner than you know it, you may be surprised to find that you have slept practically the regular sleeping hours one is expected to get.

The fact of the matter here is that whatever type of coffee, regardless if it is decaf or not, may not necessarily have a factor. It can keep you awake, but if your body is not up to it rest assured you will give in to sleep.

According to Tom Round, vice president of the product’s maker, Silver Lake Research, 25 of the 100 decaf samples the biotech firm tested during the research phase had too-high caffeine levels.

Not great news for decaf drinkers. But then again, recent research has linked caffeine consumption to a host of health benefits, such as improved cognitive function and sharper aerobic capacity. And a recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine linked coffee consumption to a longer life span.

(Source) Sun Times

a

One can just imagine how if feels to sleep in a coffin. Eerie and gross as it may seem, it looks highly improbable to convince people to try it. But for people in Malaysia, there is more to sleeping in coffins than getting respite. It is a form of getting rid of bad luck, something that most of us surely want to do especially if you are that superstitious.

The daily reported that the devotees believed that by following the ritual, their families would be blessed with prosperity and good fortune.

The ritual was common in the old days but temples in Malaysia rarely carry out such ceremonies now as coffins are still considered “not a very good thing” by the community, the daily reported.

(Source) The Star Online

Though it seems this has been a traditional practice, it makes you wonder if you can truly sleep in a coffin or on the other hand, get nightmares from doing it. Well that is culture for you, something that differentiates each race today.

a

When we sleep, we are susceptible to various kinds of things that go around in our dreams. Normally for some reason, we are given sign and signals on what to do. This includes business. To most, it may seem as foolish and fictitious but for others it can do wonders.

While some may call it a sudden burst of idea, perhaps one good explanation is that when we sleep, we are relaxed and not under pressure. Further, before we hit the sack, chances are we have had a certain business issue in mind and normally it can be carried onto us even in our sleep. So the result may be guides on what and what not to do.

A lot of people have benefited from it and perhaps many more entrepreneurs can get the same tip if they are thinking of what business to put up. Crazy but it can work and you have nothing to lose!

Alan Stafford, an executive coach and self-described “sleepworker” interviewed by Fortune Small Business, offers tips on how entrepreneurs can boost their creative and problem-solving juices during sleep, such as identifying business problems that need to be solved right before falling asleep, waking up slowly instead of with an alarm clock and keeping a dream journal on the nightstand.

(Source) Wall Street Journal

a

When we sleep, we dream of a lot of things. They may not always be immediately associated with what we have just been through. Some of them go as far as our childhood days, reflecting and reminiscing about the past to which some people may find comfort when they sleep.

But there are also dreams that account for current events. Especially when a person is sleeping with something in mind, chances are he will be recalling certain events that have not yet been resolved.

Between the two, a lot can be pointed towards our mental state. Our minds are at work and whatever we have stored there that may be disturbing us will always be the first thing that comes to mind. The reason behind this is that there is a part of our brain that is still conscious. It can be typified to a sort of lack of relaxation to which we tend to address current dilemmas rather than reminisce on the past where we may have a relaxing memory of our good old days.

When we are dreaming, there is a certain part of our mind and being which is aware and conscious, yet some other parts of the brain that are completely at rest. Experts suggest that various types of dreams exist, that range form the dreamer not being in his or her own dream (dreams of childhood) to one where the dreamer is actively reflecting upon the ongoing dream and making deductions and judgments on the events happening in the dream (lucid dreams). This is an interesting lead to the contemplation about the distinction between dreams and reality.

(Source) Brain Blogger

a

Sleeping is one of the things that people would love to do. But apparently, people have to discipline themselves and make sure that they get the adequate sleep recommended for people today. Apparently, there are some beliefs that many would agree to while others would consider as based on beliefs and myths. But myth or not, it remains that we have to manage ourselves well since in the end, lacking sleep will take its toll on us.

Here are some common myths of sleeping and insomnia. We may or may not agree with them but they are apparently related to how we perceive and understand sleep as a whole.

1. Humans Need Eight Hours Sleep a Night: There are many ways of sleeping and few cultures sleep in eight-hour consolidated blocks like we do. In places like Bali and New Guinea, people tend to slip in and out of sleep as they need it, napping more during the day, and getting up more at night.
2. Sleep Isn’t Just a Bodily Function: Sleep is a biological, physiological system, akin to the cardiovascular system, the nervous system and so on.
3. Animals Don’t Have Sleep Problems: Insomnia occurs in animals and insects, too, sort of. Technically, insomnia is defined as a “complaint,” and since animals can’t complain, it’s difficult to measure in them
4. Falling Asleep Is a Gradual Process. Nope. Instead, for most people, it switches on and off like a light switch. But for insomniacs and narcoleptics, the switch doesn’t quite work.
5. Sleeping Less Burns More Calories. In the short term, yes, but sleeping less probably won’t help you lose weight. Lack of sleep suppresses our natural appetite-depressants, while fueling appetite-increasers, often leading to weight gain.

(Source) Newsweek

a

It has been either a myth or something apparent that the right kind of music would help most people sleep. Now the right type of music normally falls under the category of soft to gentle music, something that will really calm us down and eventually get us snoozing.

There are various explanations made by Japan scientists and it would be great to know what they gathered based on their experiments.

In his limited laboratory experiments, Dr Endo honed a playlist from that third category down to a smaller collection, most of which was played to the Tokyo audience.

However, the audience at the extraordinary mass experiment in sleep-induction in Central Tokyo is still not sure whether Dreams Kaimin was a success or not.

But one firm conclusion was that a lot of men fell asleep as soon as the female vocalist began.

(Source) The Times of India

a

Some people just cannot sit well without seeing their mobile phone beside them since anyone at any time may be texting them or perhaps on the other way around, sending messages at any moment they feel like by pushing the keypads of their phone.

Normally, we would find ourselves falling asleep and sleeping alongside our phones. But while we all know that we will fall asleep, is it indeed possible to send messages unknowingly to another person while we are in our slumber state?

But some sleep experts have another explanation for the sleep text messaging, particularly in those situations in which the text message is coherent. Some say the messages are written while the patient is awake, but they have amnesia for the event. “The `sleep texter’ may have actually been awake, but had not formed new memories for the event,” says Scott Fromherz, medical director of Westside Sleep Center in Tigard, Ore.

“There is a `built-in’ amnesia of sleep that occurs when the brain is briefly awakened for less than three minutes,” he says.

Thus, a person might wake up in the middle of the night, text someone, go back to sleep and have no recollection of the activity the next morning.

(Source) The Star.com

a

Today, if you are not properly rested, sleep will come back to haunt and collect in the form of deteriorating health. It is a given that people today value sleep unlike before. Being productive is one thing but not being able to sleep in the way that people are traditionally known to be can lead to dire consequences which at most can damage health concerns for people today.

Sleeping too little messes with your mind and hurts your body.

Sleep not only makes you feel sharp and rested; it seems to play a key role in how the brain sorts out information and lays down long-term memories. And a lack of sleep has been associated with maladies ranging from cardiovascular disease to depression the CDC says.

(Source) Wall Street Journal

a

As far as jet lag is concerned, a lot of people who frequently travel may already know how to deal with it. One is trying to extend sleep to the normal day hours of the region where they may find themselves and the other is taking on the usual caffeine and normal naps to cure this occasional problem.

Just recently, a new way to help cure jet lag was introduced and it goes by the name of sildenafil or commonly known as Viagra to most. Yes we all know that Viagra is often related towards sexual pleasure so it is really out of curiosity on how it can cure jet lag for most.

The study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that our circadian rhythms, the body’s inner clock, could be shifted with the little blue pill. Sounds as if we will have that jet lag problem solved in no time, right? Or, at least, travelers will have a new excuse to ask their doctors for Viagra.

(Source) The New York Times

a

But while excess food snacks before bedtime is deemed as something that will keep you awake since you have to wait for all of it to be digested properly before anything else, there are bedtime snacks that you may want to check out to help you sleep.

(Source) Yahoo Health

a

So you can just imagine how many people stayed up, followed the game and ended up being dismayed. While many were obviously rooting for the New England Patriots, who were unfortunately showed up by the New York Giants. Due to the outcome, it seems not all people were happy of the outcome and many are perhaps still awake in dismay.

But that is just part of being an avid fan of football. You win some and lose some. In this case, you lose more, and that includes quality sleep. Oh well, it does only come once a year so what the heck.

(Source) Bloomberg.com

a

These video can help enlighten us. This is part of a series of videos compiled regarding sleep myths.

a

We all know of mental blocks and headaches as leading causes which can eventually become excuses for failing a course. We don’t need to cram all the time. A relaxed mind through proper sleep periods can be more effective. We just have to discipline ourselves and stock in our memory such lessons when the need arises. Understanding is one thing but forcing ourselves to remember them when memory work comes in may really work against us.

“A student’s performance in the classroom is dictated by the amount of sleep he or she gets the night before,” says Dr. Kohler. “A teen who regularly gets enough sleep will have improved academic performance, a positive attitude towards their education, and be able to better interact socially with their peers and teachers. Students can also remember better what they learned if they get a good night’s sleep after learning the task. Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, increases the incidence of academic failure, depression and behavioral problems.”

Source: Medical News Today

a

The thing with kids today is that they are afraid to take risks and this should be the case. Imagine a Christmas without Santa Claus? Now that would be something to which the yuletide season will not really be complete. Besides, it has been said, he knows who is naughty and who is nice so better sleep before the clock strikes 12 because if you do wake up on Christmas day, chances are you may not find any gifts under the Christmas tree right?

And don’t forget the milk and cookies since hiding and waiting for the kids to sleep may altogether make Santa wannabes hungry and sleepy as well.

Read more: The Brain Behind Santa Claus

a

We all know that dreams and wishes come true. But to wish for something like sleeping with them is wishful thinking. It is really more of a sexual fantasy that we all find and chances are we may come to a point of simply laughing about it. It is simply something that may be close to impossible.

(Source) Consequently, I believe that the entertainers we dream of being with define our sexual ideals (and peccadilloes). It says everything about who we really are and what we (at least think) we really want. This is why so many people in relationships have made pacts about what celebrities, if given a chance, they’re allowed to get a free pass to sleep with. In the end, they’re our defining fantasies, and we want to cling to the idea that they, like our dreams for happiness, could one day come true.

a

Our bodies need to rest some time and this is when we have to sleep even for a short period of time. There is no such thing as a sleep-less person. It would be entirely crazy. Also, why would a person not want to sleep?

Unless you are aiming for a record, then perhaps it would be something for a purpose. But in reality, not sleeping is something we cannot survive for long. With that said, how long do you think you can stay awake?

Read more: How Long Can a Person Survive Without Sleep?

a

While they are not really tagged as sleeping pills, it would be best to take note of the limitations. They are prescribed to help combat off illness and not serve as sleeping aids for us. Some people have used them at times to address sleeping problems which should not be the case.

They may help make people sleep at times and side effects should be considered. If people are not careful, these may be more controversial than just addressing the sleeping problem they have at the moment.

Source: Look before you sleep!

a

Most critics may call it a mental or psychological factor. However, it is only customary for people to fit in comfortably into wherever they are placed. Beds for one are not immediately deemed the best fit to lie on until the person has fully adjusted towards it. The same goes to sleeping with someone by your side.

Some people just find it entirely empty to see a bare bed space in their room. They just don’t feel comfortable with the idea that the usual person at their side is nowhere in sight.

Read more: Trouble Sleeping Alone

a

Few foods have a reputation for curing insomnia quite like warm milk.

According to age-old wisdom, milk is chock full of tryptophan, the sleep-inducing amino acid that is also well-known for its presence in another food thought to have sedative effects: turkey.

But whether milk can induce sleep is debatable, and studies suggest that if it does, the effect has little to do with tryptophan. To have any soporific effect, tryptophan has to cross the blood-brain barrier. And in the presence of other amino acids, that is difficult for it to do.

Source: STUDIES: Milk at bedtime may be soothing, probably not sleep-inducing

a

It is not too much to ask. The joy of having a child is indeed exciting for all. But when it comes to the part of responsibility, for sure sleep will be at the tops of the list of deprived privileges that people once used to have.

Source: Vital: The A To Zzzzs Of Helping Baby Sleep

a

At times they result from some experience during the day or are sometimes associated with something we eat. Nightmares have different origins but usually, they do not pertain to anything unless people are highly superstitious about dreams and nightmares and what they may mean.

Related content: Where Do Nightmares Come From?

a

Better sleep can usually be solicited if some areas of satisfaction that people look for are satisfied. Climates and room temperature will always be among these factors and the colder it is, the better for some people. This is not to mention that people who live in the polar ice caps are the ideal place to sleep well. This is more inclined towards temperature derived from changing season such as the transition from warm sunny days towards cold rainy days.

True enough, people find the rainy season as something that would make a person drowsy and lazy. People would rather sleep out the rainy days in their homes if they had a choice since it is hard to get up and carry on the normal duties of their lives.

While it is true that people should get enough sleep, they should also consider not taking too much of it. Too much sleep will produce bulging eye bags and not to mention put professions in peril. People who become lazy because of the weather may want to retreat and consider the risks they are playing around with. Sleep the right way and try to save some disciplinary things in the process.

Further reading: The Rainy Season

a

There are other rooms where people can sleep in the house. Sometimes, ambiance and placement of furniture and home items play an integral role. Want to sleep better? Watch the video and get the tips from the pros!

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

However, based on the beliefs of Feng Shui which tackles more on how to get the proper series and location of various parts of the house, following the right and ideal structure does indeed account for better sleep for people.

Feng Shui may be a myth for most, but if people are desperately seeking sleep, it wouldn’t hurt to try and check it out.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

In this spoof video, perhaps this sleeping gadget will keep you awake. A comedy reel but then again, it seems to be effective and does get the job done or else!

a

Learn more about them in this video.

VideoJug: Social Activities

a

Just don’t forget to brush your teeth if ever you decide to eat some cereal before going to bed. Usually, cereal is eaten once kids wake up. Right?

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

However, no one ever thought that slimming down can be done while they are sleeping. In fact, sleeping is known to add more towards helping increase the extra pounds in the body. SleepSlim offers an innovative sleeping discovery which simultaneously allows anyone to trim down and shed that extra pound. Check it out!

a

Sleeping has been known to add towards slowing down the metabolism of the body and leaves excess digested intake lying in our stomachs during sleep. But there have been innovations in helping people lose weight while they are sleeping. Maybe this is what you are looking for. Sleep soundly and lose those extra pounds in the process. No harm in trying right?

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

Question is do kids still believe it to this day? Well it depends on their traditional upbringing. Some use it as a psychological factor while others simply play around with the idea. Check it out with this music video and see imaginations put into one compilation.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

The world is now a place full of possibilities. Among them include that of introducing products that help people burn the excess calories without having to lift a finger. Too good to be true? Well take a look here.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

While everyone knows that this is only a brand name gimmick, a lot of sectors have been hitting on it since instead of helping control the growing drug problem today, it is like pushing for the use and awareness of cocaine the more. Maybe the drink manufacturers can think of something else to resolve the issue or are just using it to get publicity as with other weird named products we see today.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

It is something that is evident that we usually store in our minds what we experience or see. Hence, such is one root of sleep disorders, something that deprives people of proper sleeping habits today.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

While this cannot be readily taken out, the point of it all is that if people are really inclined to get a good sleep then it all starts with sizing themselves up and conditioning minds to get that much longed for sleeping practice.

Here are some tips just in case people have forgotten the natural ways of getting proper sleep.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

1. Taking a Bath
2. Lowering the Room Temperature
3. Wise Use of Bedding
4. Blocking out Sunshine or Light

To most, this may sound rhetorical but if done religiously, they can get the job done when it comes to searching for the ideal sleep endeavors most people look for today.

Sleep is essential towards the needs of the body in carrying out any activity that people have to do. Remembering these basic tips is sure to make that thing happen.

Here is a good post to bookmark in case we forget the needs to sleep soundly with audio options too:

Tips on Having a Sound Sleep

a

Nilla Milk, something that was recommended, is believed to be closer to mother’s milk. The formula for it:

• 1 Cup Milk
• 2 Tablespoons of sugar
• 1 Pat of Butter or Margarine
• 1 capful imitation Vanilla
• Heat until butter is melted
• Sprinkle with nutmeg or Cinnamon

Does it work? Well it would never hurt to try it out right?

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

Many of us would want to help analyze our dreams and find their actually meaning. While sleeping soundly may be good, people just cannot help wonder what dreams really have in store for them.

We usually find dream interpreters to help us out. But with this video, we can find out that the best one to interpret our dreams is not anyone else but us.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

We can only go towards a certain extent, but continuous abuse through foregoing the required amount of sleep that all people would need is a path in the wrong direction. There is a point where people may break down, and lack of energy to carry out things both in mind and body will prove to be costly at some point. Sleep is like gasoline and people just have to deal with it and live life through them.

Further Reading:
Study: Bullies prone to sleep issues

a

To this day, even adults have their share of being used to having these stuffed toys by their side to sleep soundly. Apparently, some just use them as a means of security and relaxation altogether.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

Hypnosis helps relaxes minds and thus can take away the usual deep thinking issues that most people have to deal with. This video can shed more light on the powerful contribution of hypnosis.

VideoJug: Hypnosis And Changing Your Behavior

a

Dreams are believed to be made from what people remember or would want to think. Ideally, people would have no idea on how these came about. But with the proper explanations as brought by this video excerpt, people may have a detailed understanding on how to understand why such dreaming habits were made and where they came from initially.

VideoJug: How To Do Wake Induced Lucid Dreams

a

Some may think that these relaxation techniques may be abrupt and a waste of time but if we truly emphasize on sleeping comfortably, then we may try them out before we sum up everything. There is more to sleeping than plain lying down on your bed mattress. We need to psychologically prepare ourselves before the desired respite can be achieved.

VideoJug: How To Relax Before Going To Bed

a

But what if you suddenly get that feeling that you cannot move a muscle and not even holler a word? There will be instances that this would happen and this is familiarly known as sleep paralysis.

Many people would ask what would be the reason for experiencing sleep paralysis. Well for one, it is believed that the brain functions in advance over the human body, and while sleep paralysis is indeed something that would frighten any normal being, it is only temporary.

But if there is one main factor that could lead to sleep paralysis, it is that of lack of sleep or sleep deprivation. The healthy state of a person plays a vital role in the results from getting the proper sleep needed by our bodies.

Read more on Sleep Paralysis from the Gazette:Body Can Sleep Later than Brain

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

a

Want a good illustration to serve as living proof? Look no further. This commercial video will surely justify this claim.

Click Here to View in Full Screen Mode

a

Life has become grueling to date. Working and simultaneously performing our duties at home as a parent will take its toll and become a source for sleep deprivation. Many would hire nannies or household help, but in reality, kids would still prefer their actual parents to spend quality time with them.

So what is a parent to do? He or she cannot turn his or her back on the kids. The attention is important and most parents should be reminded that there are personal duties that they must perform as well.

As Ilya Welfeld of Bergenfield, N.J., a working mother of three small children who gets only three to six hours of daily sleep said, she will just wait till the kids get older. Now that remains to be seen!

a

Sure there are events such as the Guiness Book of World records for people who may hold the number of days gone without sleep but how bout the hours of foregoing the value of human life and healthy living? It is crazy to think that people can keep themselves awake and expect to live life normally. It just simply doesn’t work that way.

We encounter various events in our lives daily and to experience and take on them properly, we should recognize rest as well. We are not super beings that can go on living without rest. It is simply a crazy notion that we should erase.

Here is a good article to read on: 11 sleepless nights set new world record but why risk your health?

a

We all want to get to our own homes and lay on our beds as quickly as possible. But in able to do so, we must make sure we can reach them first. Attending events or forever being on the outside and trying to socialize or earn a living should have its own share of limitations. As humans, we will all get to the point of that need of rest since that is how our bodies work.

Hence, the next time you may be traveling by car, make sure you are fit to drive. Lives need sleep but not permanent ones where we may not wake up soundly anymore.

Here is an article to shed more light on this issue: Drowsy driving a hazard for holiday weekend

a

While the added energy for sleep deprived people is a benefit, it cannot be discounted that most people will have to deal with sleep and fatigue at some point. It is simply something that is only a temporary resort and people should be aware of it.

This is a clear abuse of health. While it is okay to consume them from time to time, making it a habit will eventually become risky and people should be aware that the human body can take only so much.

Related article: Safe Use of Energy Drinks

a