Medical Information

Sleep - are you getting enough? For some people, enough is four to six hours. Other people just don't feel right with less than eight hours. People need more or less sleep at different phases in their life. Women may need more or less sleep at different phases of the month.




The simplest way to tell if you're getting enough is by noticing every morning - do you feel rested? Do you wake up without an alarm clock and feel ready to get right out of bed and start your day?



Not getting enough sleep is one of the most direct ways that we self-sabotage our success and well-being. When we are better rested we not only feel better, but are calmer, smarter, more rational, nicer to be around and we look better. Why wouldn't we choose to have that every day??



1. Set the Stage - turn off the computer and television at least one hour before you'd like to fall asleep, and turn on some music that you find relaxing. Test what your stereo system will do when the recording is finished - does it SNAP! or does it "wrrrr" - this will make a difference as you're drifting off. My CD player makes a very soft "wrrrr" noise (though I honestly can't remember the last time I was still awake when the CD was over).



2. Music without words - words can provoke and direct your thoughts more than instrumental music or pure vocal sounds.



3. Music with natural "breaths" - music where the soloist takes natural pauses to breathe can help you to slow down your own breath - try flute, other wind instruments or voice (either with no words or words in a language you don't understand).



4. A good book - For bedtime reading, try to stay away from material that gets you thinking about things you deal with during the day. Magazines or stories that distract you from your own life may help you to drift into sleep.



5. Imagery - If you find that your mind is racing when you are trying to sleep, picture a viewpoint where you're traveling down a road. See your thoughts as signposts that you're passing. Concentrate on letting them pass right by.



6. Progressive muscle relxation - Imagine that a ball of light is traveling along your body, beginning at the top of your head, going down to the tips of your toes, and then coming up again. As it passes your muscles, they fill with light and relax.



7. Take a nap - If your sleep has been interrupted or there've been unavoidable late nights, an afternoon nap can help you catch up. Experts advise that naps should be taken earlier in the afternoon, rather than later, and that we should keep them to 30 minutes or less. This will avoid disrupting your sleep at night.



8. Lavender Bath - Take a hot bath and add a couple of drops of lavender oil. Lavender has naturally occurring relaxing properties.



9. Chamomile Tea - Calms the nervous system and helps to promote restful sleep.



10. Take 500 mg Calcium with 250 mg Magnesium at bedtime - The calcium has a calming effect, and the magnesium works along with it.



The advice and information in this article is not meant to replace medical advice. If you suspect you have a serious sleeping problem such as sleep apnea, or if you experience insomnia or extreme fatigue, please consult a healthcare professional.



(c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services.



Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of “The Everyday Self-Care Workbook”. To receive one of her free monthly newsletters, subscribe at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/newsletter.html



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Dessau

Headaches are common pains that anyone can suffer. They can be caused by many factors such as stress, working for extended hours in front of the computer to injury and migraines which may be triggered by allergies such as food. Whatever the cause may be, the fact remains that having a headache is very uncomfortable and may keep you from performing to your full potentials. One need not suffer so much because of it, especially if the problem is constant and may keep you from being productive. Headaches may come in different forms usually depending on the cause. So most definitely, before you could opt for any ways to get rid of your headache, you must know first what is causing it. The following are simple ways to get rid of headaches:




1. Maintain good posture and do some stretching. Poor posture while working can cause what are known as tension headaches. Staying in such a position for a very long time may cause the muscles of the neck and shoulders to tighten up. One way to get rid of this headache is to maintain a good posture while working. Every now and then or if you feel tension pains setting in, do some stretching to get rid of the headache before it gets worse.



2. Application of moist heat through a hot compress is also a good way to get rid of headaches. Get a towel and soak it in warm water and apply it on areas where you find pain and tension to rid your body of the discomfort.



3. In women, a common problem is headache that comes days before their period. This is usually felt as a pain directly behind the eyes. To get rid of this headache, women must eat foods that are rich in zinc, especially those that come from lean proteins such as lean meats.



4. Relax. The most common cause of headache is stress. Develop a healthy lifestyle which allows you to get enough sleep and rest. If you feel a huge headache coming in because of stress, get rid of this headache by taking a break from work and catching on some sleep.



5. Get a massage. Tension headaches, especially ones that come with pain that radiates through the neck and shoulders are extremely uncomfortable. A way to get of this headache is by getting some massage, especially on the scalp, neck and shoulder areas to release all the tension that have build up there.



6. Eat regularly. Do not skip meals because hunger and meal- skipping can also cause headaches. If you feel a headache about to start and you haven't had anything to eat, take a break and grab a bite to prevent that headache from progressing further.



7. Drink lots of water. As much as possible, stick to the eight-glasses a day recommended amount of daily water intake. Water cools down the body and so when you feel a major headache, drink up to get rid of it.



8. Ice. Ice is known to be effective in relieving different types of pains, headaches included. So another option to get rid of your headache if to use ice. Lie down and have an ice pack placed on the areas where you feel pain and tension such as behind your neck, temples or forehead.



9. Kill the pain with pain killers. There are many over-the counter analgesics that are known to work for many forms of headaches. However, it is still best to consult a doctor first before choosing a pain reliever to get rid of your headache most especially if the problem persists for a very long time. It is best to work out with your doctor first what is truly causing the pain.



10. Watch what you eat. Some headaches are triggered by food. This is most especially true for migraine sufferers. So if you feel that your headache was prompted by something that you ate, stop eating that food and consult your doctor to determine whether this is truly the source of your headache.



Having a headache is an uncomfortable experience. It keeps you from performing your task and is counter-productive. Headaches have many causes and so to successfully get rid of that headache, it is best to try to figure out first what is causing it in the first place. Lifestyle still plays a major role in determining whether you headache problem is just temporary or will pester you for a very long time.



Lee Dobbins writes for http://headache.topicgiant.com where you can find out about different types of headaches as well as methods for headache relief.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

There are numerous ways to obtain a younger looking skin via natural facelift techniques. We explore these natural facelift methods in better detail which can usually be divided into internal and external factors in your younger looking skin aspirations.




As we grow older, our skin doesn't look so young anymore. The sun, gravity, exposure to free radicals, stress, and of course "father time", leaves our skin baggy and wrinkled. Fatty deposits grow in places we don't want them to be, and each day we look in the mirror, we feel that we are losing the battle to keep that younger looking skin.



Maybe it is time to conduct your own facelift using cheap, but effective methods. For those who don't know, a natural facelift means looking younger via non-surgical ways.



Internal factors:



1. To assist your regimen, eating the right foods that are rich in the Vitamin C, E, and D groups are important for a healthy skin. Also try to add more fruits, coconut water, and nuts to your diet. Drink more water. This rids the body of toxins, resulting in a younger looking skin.



2. Avoidance is also an important tactic for a younger looking skin. Try reducing or abstaining from coffee, tea, smoking, and alcohol.



3. And yes, have more sex! As natural facelift therapy, orgasms result in a softer, more colorful and younger looking complexion. Need I say more?



4. Meditation or yoga is great relief against stress, which results in a younger looking skin.



5. Get more sleep.



External factors:



1. Avoid the sun as much as possible as this causes wrinkles, and can damage the skin on your face and neck, thereby hampering your efforts.



2. Try getting more exercise by walking more, or going to a gym. Exercise is proven to be excellent for skin.



3. Apply an anti-wrinkle cream, containing ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid at night before you sleep. It really goes a long way to a natural facelift.



4. Use amino acid creams during the day which help in maintaining collagen and elasticity in the skin. Use these in combination with other natural facelift methods.



5. Try a natural facelift with micro-current stimulation therapy. This method entails a tiny current going through the skin and underlying face and neck tissue, which rejuvenates the skin and improves blood circulation. After a few treatments, a younger looking skin is inevitable.



6. Undergo thermage or laser facelift treatment for a younger looking skin. Radio waves and laser beams heat the collagen in the skin, which results in firmer skin. These methods are more effective as preventative measures to aging, and should be used at the first onset of fine wrinkles.



7. The application of face masks on a regular basis is an excellent natural facelift technique, because face masks absorb toxins in the skin and add nutrients, leaving a more radiant, firmer skin tone.



8. To maintain a younger looking skin, have regular facials at the beauty salon once you're over 30 years old.



9. Learn a program of facial exercises. This will exercise the skin, underlying muscles, and improve blood flow to the face and neck. Facial exercises are excellent for a younger looking skin, because they firms the skin, smooth wrinkles, and get rid of unsightly eye bags. Your fingertips are excellent instruments for a natural facelift.



A younger looking skin doesn't always have to be obtained by surgery. A natural facelift is cheaper, less traumatic to the skin, has permanent benefits, and is under the control of the individual. There are so many natural facelift techniques to choose from, and they will all result in a younger looking skin!



Wendy Wilken is the author of a natural facelift book called Facelift Without Surgery, and is a practitioner of younger looking skin techniques.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Wilken