Sleeping Pills Can Kill

A recent study found that people taking sleeping pills are 3.5 times more likely to die suddenly and have a 38% increased risk of cancer.  Apparently, sleeping pills are just has bad for you as cigarettes.  This is shocking, but not surprising when you consider that sleeping pills are not only addictive, but also have a devastating effect on the function of your nervous system.  It also shows that while sleeping pills may help you sleep, you are not receiving the countless recuperative and healing benefits of natural sleep.  Here are some simple things that you can do to improve your sleep naturally:

1.  Exercise regularly.  We are meant to be physically active, so the sedentary modern lifestyle simply does not release the stored energy which we build up in our minds and bodies.  If you're not physically exerting yourself for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week, your body is missing something and your lifestyle is out of balance.
2.  Stretch every day.  To release tension built up in your body, daily stretching is also essential to help you relax, especially when you sleep.  And not only for your muscles, but also for your tendons, ligaments, bones, and especially your nerves.
3.  Avoid electromagnetic radiation before bed.  We are surrounded by cell phones, TV's, and computers these days, so it's not surprising that the quality of sleep seems to be deteriorating worldwide.  I strongly believe that our modern technology has played a role in this.  For at least one hour before going to bed, avoid using the TV, cell phone, cordless phone, computer, etc.  There are many other options once you think about it.  Also, avoid sleeping with the cell phone at your bedside, as studies have shown that these devices do in fact disturb sleep patterns.
4.  Establish a sleep routine.  We are creatures of habit, so you should go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekend.  Napping can help to catch up, but limit them to no more that 30 minutes to avoid disrupting your night-time sleeps.
5.  Eat more lettuce.  Lettuce has been found to help people sleep better.  So if you're feeling peckish before bedtime, this is the perfect snack.
6.  Professional help.  Most of our patients find that they usually sleep better when their spines are in sync, so chiropractic care can help by releasing tension in your nervous system and helping you to relax easier.  You can also try other natural approaches, such as acupuncture,  reflexology, homeopathy, etc, to help you to function better.  Also, poor sleep may be a symptom of underlying pathology, so if all else fails, you should visit a holistically- minded medical doctor.

Finally, with winter coming soon, remember to sleep a little longer, like the rest of nature.  Proper sleep is absolutely essential, to allow your body to heal and recover from the effects of gravity, life, and the constant flow of new information and challenges.  The world is always a better place when you've slept well, naturally.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17177005
http://www.naturalnews.com/035162_sleeping_pills_sudden_death_risk.html
http://www.dailygossip.org/sleeping-pills-ruled-to-present-the-same-risks-as-cigarettes-2621
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/94715.php
http://www.healingfoodreference.com/lettuce.html

Are You Part of the Solution?

One of the things I love about our planet is our natural environment.  So when a recent study ranked South Africa at only 128th out of 132 countries in what is called the "Environmental Performance Index," I was disappointed to say the least. While SA does rank well when it comes to biodiversity, forest cover, and land set aside for nature reserves, we are one of the biggest polluters in the world.  There are many reasons why we rank so low, including the fact that most of our electricity is produced through coal, but the way each of us as individuals live our lives can make a difference.  Whatever little each of us can do, will make our land a better place for our children and grandchildren, as well as our wildlife.  And it goes without saying that our environment plays an essential role in our own health.  So to help in the cause, I have attempted to play my role.  I have planted about 12 small water-wise and wildlife-friendly indigenous trees in the last 6 months, helping to absorb the excess carbon produced by modern living. Also, I have once again found a reliable paper recycling service, so the numerous sheets of head-rest paper which we use every day does not contribute to our ever-growing mountains of refuse.  There are many other things that we can do individually, but every little bit will help.  As the old saying goes, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."  So are you part of the solution?

http://epi.yale.edu/dataexplorer/countryprofiles
http://www.growwild.co.za/
http://witkoppenwildflower.co.za/
http://www.paperpickup.co.za/default2.asp