Relax & Reclaim

Have you ever had issues with trying to go to sleep?  We know we need to get some sleep in order to function well the next day. I've DEFINITELY been there and I also know what a toll it can take on the human body. I believe it's called "junk sleep". Anyway, getting a restful night of sleep helps us stay pleasant and productive. Over the years I've had the pleasure of speaking to some very knowledgeable people on this subject.  They've given me some great suggestions on how to sleep better and I'd like to share a few of them with you. Here are some effective strategies to help you get some of the best uninterrupted, high-quality sleep known to humanity: 1. Avoid Caffeine in the Evening: Coffee, tea, and energy drinks can affect sleep for hours after consumption. Aim to stop caffeine intake by the early afternoon to give your body time to unwind. 2. Quit Smoking: Nicotine is a stimulant and can make it harder to fall and stay asleep. If you’re not ready to ...

This series has been challenging to write due to the sheer amount of research needed to intelligently discuss the subject matter at length. However, it has been a lot of fun. I can hardly wait to unveil my next chapter to you, but I wanted to share an experience and a bit of history with you as well. I recently had the opportunity to try out some pure  green tea   at an authentic Chinese teahouse. I noticed right off the bat that the tea was quite unique in flavor.  It tasted like grass.😵‍💫 I'll admit, I have had green tea before, but this was VERY grassy and floral. A friend that I was with explained some history about green tea (I hope I have recalled it accurately. I will gladly accept any feedback if my recollection has failed me).🤔 According to Chinese legend, green tea was invented by an emperor who was in the forest, and had simply boiled a kettle of water on his campfire. The water was too hot to drink, so ...

Eat. Sleep. Be happy. Repeat.   Unknown- Your Quest:  A Great Night's Sleep Your Steps: Just Moments Away 1. Make a list of what you need to do the next day , write it all down and keep that paper and pen near your bedside in case you think of anything else you need to do. When you write things down you’re giving your brain the signal that it no longer needs to think about those tasks. 2.   Don't watch television or listen to the radio (especially the news) before retiring for the night - and certainly do not fall asleep with the TV or radio on. 3.   Read some inspirational or self-growth material for at least 30 minutes prior to bed. Your goal is to fill your mind with inspirational thoughts before falling asleep so that the last thoughts you have before drifting off are uplifting thoughts - as opposed to the stressful thoughts that most people fall asleep thinking about. 4.   Make sure the room that you're sleeping in is as dark a room as possibl...

"There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep." Homer- When was the last time you had a great (not just  good ) night's sleep? I mean, a sleep that makes you want to spring out of bed with a serious burst of energy? Been a while, huh? Fret no more my friends, I have discovered some helpful tips to help you get a better night's sleep. A typical great night's sleep usually involves falling asleep within 10 minutes of your head hitting the pillow. It's actually an atypical occurrence for most people.  A key factor in determining if you've had a great night's sleep is if you have pleasant or "sweet" dreams. If you've had nightmares or 'stressful' dreams then you're probably not getting "restful" sleep. Why is it so important to get quality sleep each and every night? Your body and your mind break down and get worn out from stress during the day.  The only time that your body and you...

What if there was no allergic rhinitis (hay fever)? What would your life be like without this condition? Did you know that at least 20% of the population in North America are affected by this condition each year? Once, long ago, it was rare to find someone with seasonal affected allergies... Steps to allergy relief The first step toward getting relief from allergic reactions (or overreactions) is to find the causes of your allergy and then make every effort to avoid them. However, even under the most ideal scenarios, this can be nearly impossible . Multiple allergens may have the potential to affect a person in the same manner (sneezing, coughing, itchiness, etc). You could literally be hunting down allergens for months to try isolating a single catalyst.  One approach is to tackle the allergens simultaneously by using inhibitors to stop the symptoms. This would require the use of either physician-prescribed or OTC (over the counter) medications. There are man...

Sure, you might think of basil as that delicious herb that takes your pasta and salads up a notch.  But basil does a lot more than just make your food taste great – it's packed with health benefits, some of which might surprise you! Acne and Clear Skin For anyone who’s dealt with acne, here’s something cool: basil has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help keep your skin clear.  In fact, research shows that African wild basil oil can reduce acne lesions even more effectively than traditional treatments like benzoyl peroxide.  So, whether you use it as an essential oil or in skincare products, basil can be a secret weapon against acne. Stress Relief and Mood Boost Feeling frazzled? Basil has long been known as a natural mood booster. In ancient practices, people would chew a few basil leaves twice a day to help calm their minds and relieve stress.  You can try it too, either by sipping basil tea or using it as an aromatherapy oil. Some ...

Here's something you've probably heard of before.... Women's fitness goals are different from men's.... How different ? You may ask.  Just wait until you see what I'm going to show you.... Cerebral Influences Like most other meaningful activities, fitness starts between your ears. It's all in your mind. A fitness program or regimen starts out as an idea. It's even more than that as well. Your way of thinking also influences how you workout.  Here's a couple of examples for you: Most men work out to achieve a goal targeted toward a set of desired results. For example, a guy sees that women are attracted to a certain body type, they tend to focus on achieving that goal, for the purpose of attracting the babes. Now this doesn't mean that women don't do the same thing because we do. In fact, women are typically more "body-conscious" than their male counterparts.  What differs for each gender are the reasons for get...