A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by One after one; the sound of rain, and bees Murmuring; the fall of rivers, winds and seas, Smooth fields, white sheets of water, and pure sky – I’ve thought of all by turns, and still I lie Sleepless…

~William Wordsworth, “To Sleep”

Tips for the sleepless

• Although it may seem like a good idea to log extra mattress time, studies have shown that going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning trains the body to sleep properly.
• Indulge in a warm, soothing bath or kick back and read while enjoying a warm decaffeinated beverage. Help your body unwind and prepare for sleep.
• Things that make you feel too wired to sleep, such as strenuous exercise and worrying, shouldn’t be dealt with a few hours before bedtime. Exercise earlier in the day and try addressing your worries (and finding possible solutions) by dinnertime. Also, try organizing the next day’s activities ahead, so your mind is free to rest.
• Begin by tossing the technology out of the bedroom — this means the television, computer and your Blackberry! Use of these items directly before bed causes sleep disturbances. Next, create the optimal environment for snoozing. Ensure that the room temperature is comfortable for sleeping, cover the glow from the digital alarm clock, install room-darkening blinds and even pop in some earplugs!
• Considering how much time is devoted to sleep, it only makes sense to spend the money (and put in the effort) to find an amazing mattress that’s just right. It can make a world of difference to sleep quality and to how the body feels in the morning! Oh, and while your at it, treat yourself to some perfect pillows, high thread-count sheets, and a divine duvet — just to be sure!
• Coffee, cola, tea and even chocolate can mess with your ability to fall asleep and/or cause your quality of sleep to suffer. Alcohol should also be avoided prior to bedtime. A glass or two of vino might make for a delightfully drowsy feeling, but the alcohol will ultimately affect how deeply you sleep and may cause wake-ups during the night.
• If you experience difficulty in falling off to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep — don’t stay there stressing! Get up and sit quietly or read for about 20 minutes before returning to bed.
• Nothing feels worse than hearing your alarm clock ring in the morning when your body is screaming for a few extra hours of rest. Given the opportunity, who wouldn’t get more sleep? If I had a choice between a year of unlimited Easter candy and a year of unlimited sleep, I’d say “Bye-bye Cadbury” and “Hello, bed!”
• Many people don’t get as much sleep as they should. Since the invention of the light bulb, people sleep about 500 hours per year less than they used to. Whether we’re kept awake by our partner’s snoring or we stay up too late watching TV, we wake up tired, groggy, and cranky. No wonder the coffee industry does so well. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation has some side effects and they can’t all be remedied with a little extra caffeine.

This Is Your Brain on Sleep

While the mechanism of sleep isn’t fully understood yet, doctors and scientists do know that it’s one of our body’s most important processes. Studies show that sleep is important for cellular renewal, helping to replace muscle tissue and dead cells throughout the body. Studies have also shown that sleep is a key time for the brain to process and archive information, including memories. Deep, restorative REM sleep, the kind associated with dreaming, seems to stimulate regions of the brain used in learning.  

Every night without adequate rest is like adding to a sleep debt—eventually it will have to be repaid. Even after one sleepless night, we can feel the first effects of sleep deprivation—irritability, memory loss, and drowsiness. Continued sleep deprivation can result in trouble concentrating, blurry vision, impaired judgment, and even more severe mental effects. After just a few days without any sleep, people can begin to experience hallucinations, mania, and nausea. Luckily, if you repay your sleep debt right away, those effects vanish immediately.

So if you are in need of a little help in repaying your sleep debt try our all natural and effective sleep aid. SleepSoGood is a narcotic-free sleep aid, free from side effects! Studies show those who use SleepSoGood wake in the morning fully refreshed! They have no problem waking on time and do not experience the traditional groggy feelings associated with many prescription sleep aids. Prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids can affect memory and balance, leaving anyone who takes them feeling sleepy in the morning. It is affordable, non-addicting, and without side effects. The perfect option for sleepless nights!

Barley Turkey Soup

Ingredients * 2 quarts chicken broth * 1 1/2 cups diced celery * 1 cup medium pearl barley * 1 medium onion, diced * 3/4 cup diced carrots * 1/4 teaspoon salt * 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme * 1 bay leaf * 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice * 1/8 teaspoon pepper * dash cayenne pepper * 2 cups cubed cooked turkey * 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Directions:

• In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, combine the first 11 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or until vegetables and barley are tender. Stir in turkey and parsley if desired; heat through. Discard bay leaf before serving.