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| Thursday, April 24, 2008 |
| Good Night for Great Mornings: How to Get a Good Night's Rest |
Everybody needs that perfect night's sleep. For years, I had mastered the art of going asleep at 3:00-4:00 a.m., staying up all night just chatting, blogging, playing Ragnarok Online or EARTH2025. Sometimes I just downloaded and downloaded songs, or sometimes I just browsed sites all over the web. I woke up at around 5:30-7:00 to get ready for school, and when I got back, it was back to the PC.
These days, I admit I am not as crazy as that. Keeping myself awake until 2:00 a.m. consistently is enough to drive me nuts. For a while, I could handle it, but burn-out was just around the corner. I would most definitely find myself half-past dead at work (work starts at 6:00 a.m.). So I have been trying to get myself to go to sleep with 12 a.m. the latest.
Nevertheless, going to sleep may not exactly be the problem. My main problems are the tossing, turning, frequent urination, sleeptalking, teeth grinding, or what's worse: sleepwalking. I know. I need my sleep to fully rest.
So I've found a couple of things that are said to be tips on how to get a good night's sleep. Here are just a few that I have uncovered all over the Internet. There are a lot of them, but I'll leave them up to you.
- Have a schedule. Varying times of going to sleep can disrupt your sleep quality. The body pretty much runs on routine, therefore erratic sleeping schedules can confuse your "biological clock."
- Watch what you eat before bedtime. Your stomach should have something inside it, but it should not be full to the seams. One should not sleep until 3 hours after dinner has passed.
- Keep your bedroom dark. Exposure to light when everything is supposed to be dark can also disrupt your internal cycles.
- Have a good mattress. Turn your mattress upside down every couple of months. Replace it after 5-7 years as soon as you feel the springs and other innards.
- Exercise. If your job involves a sedentary lifestyle or lack of physical exertion, this may result a poor quality of sleep.
- Visit your doctor. If you are concerned that you might have some sort of sleeping disorder, it is always best to check with the professionals.
Other tips include:
- Wearing appropriate clothing that reflects the weather.
- If you can't fall asleep within an hour or less, get up and do something. Do not stay in bed. Staying in bed for long hours and not going to sleep makes one associate your bed not with sleep.
- Try lavender. It is said to be very soothing and the scent may help calm you down and succumb to sleep.
- Do not nap for 15-20 minutes a day. It drives your sleep cycle crazy making it harder to sleep at night.
Hopefully, and I honestly pray, that these things will help me. If you have other tips and tricks to help some nut case like me get some good ol' sleeping time, please do not hesitate to leave your ideas behind. ;)
Sweet Dreams!
 Labels: cure, exercise, health, healthy living, how to, improvement, remedies, sleep, tips, tricks |
| posted by Ann @ 6:26 PM
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| Tuesday, April 15, 2008 |
| An attempt at Anger Management: My techniques |
When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894 Every one has bad days, and unfortunately, I've had a couple of them over the past few ones that passed. If you have watched Adam Sandler's Anger Management movie, I think you would understand quite completely that I have the same mode of coping with anger as he does at the start of the movie. And yes, perhaps I have go to anger management classes. But those are quite costly, and so, after watching the said movie for over 10 times now, I have developed some anger management techniques that have helped so far. I haven't pulled out my gun and shot everybody I see - YET.
So these are the things I do in order for me to calm down or to at least relieve me of my anger.
- Listen to Rock 'n Roll. My particular favorite is the Guns n Roses' Sweet Child o' Mine. Whenever I need to clear my head, I just play this and somehow I feel better. Weird, I know, considering that some people choose to listen to Classical musing or some ballad in order to calm down. Nothing works for me better than listening to GnR, Twisted Sister, Metallica, Queen, etc.
- Cleaning. Somehow diverting my pent up frustration and anger into cleaning makes me more productive and somehow it does help calm me down. At least some of the chores get done.
- Walking/running. A diversion from the anger. But at least I am not harming anybody else. Give me my running shoes, an mp3 player or one of those cheap Php. 50.00 radios and I am good.
- Eating chocolate. I have just recently discovered what people find in chocolate when feeling depressed or upset. Indeed, it does make you feel better. However, it is not as effective for me as listening to rock or running.
- Writing. This is one of my common outlets for ANY emotion I have. Although lately, I have not had the opportunity to vent out much online, but I still have my handy dandy Notebook! Anybody reading it would know how I am feeling especially if they feel the pages. Because the angrier I am, the harder I write. Hahaha!
- Dancing. Don't get me wrong, I am not the regular Janet Jackson when it comes to dancing. But I love to dance my life away. It comes most naturally when I want to lose myself I guess. Although it has been some time since I have done this (my husband laughs at my dancing).
- Counting to 10. I don't know where I found this trick. But I think this has been widely given. Of course, the quote above also helps in this case. ;)
- Singing. I do not do this as much because in as much as I love, love, LOVE music, it simply does not love me back. Translation: I cannot sing. I do hum though... and I whistle!
- The "I feel pretty song". I love this song, too. And though this does not help much with my anger, it makes me laugh, and I still love to sort-of sing this. Nyahahahaha..
I wish I could make it to 10. But I cannot think of any more techniques that I normally do when I'm angry. I need to control my temper and anger especially since I have babies. But you know what I really want to do? I want to try punching somebody real hard. OR simply tell somebody exactly how I feel. Like, "I HATE YOU." But then again, maybe not.
Temper's the one thing you can't get rid of, by losing it. ~ Dr. Buddy Rydell, Anger Management What do you do when you're angry?
Labels: anger, anger management, cure, homegrown, improvement, remedies, running |
| posted by Ann @ 8:01 AM
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| Sunday, April 13, 2008 |
| Tibicos: Miracle Grains |
"Tibicos, also known as tibi, water kefir grains, sugar kefir grains, Japanese water crystals and California Bees, are a culture of bacteria and yeast held in a polysaccharide matrix created by the bacteria." - Wikipedia Around a week ago, my colleagues and I visited a friend who was hospitalized due to a number of problems on her pelvic area. That time she was hospitalized and given stenting to help drain her right kidney which had given her some pains due to the fact that it had somewhat gotten shut off after receiving her 3rd Cesarean Section.
Due to the fact that she is having more operations in the coming months, she has visited the local Carmelites convent frequently. On her last visit, the kind Sister gave her tibicos which had arrived a month or so ago. It has been believed that tibicos somehow "heals" those who drink the beverage it forms when mixed with water and molasses.
It is said that Mother Theresa of Calcutta once journeyed to Tibet and was given these gels by the monks and masters of the region for her work. And that was how the Carmelite Sisters came across the grains which was sent from Manila, who received it from an outside source, too. In fact, it is because of these supposed healing powers that the grains are being given to those who are in need.
Tibicos are found all over the world, and there are no two cultures which are the same. "Typical tibicos have a mix of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Pediococcus and Leuconostoc bacteria with yeasts from Saccharomyces, Candida, Kloeckera and possibly others." (Wikipedia)
There are many ways to prepare tibicos for consumption which can be found all over the Internet. The following mixture was the one given by my colleague who in turn received it from the Carmelite Sister.
Ingredients:
- 1 liter water
- 2-3 molasses
- Tibicos grains
Instruction(s):
- Mix water, tibicos grains, and molasses in a huge jar.
- Allow to ferment for 24-48 hours.
- Drain carefully using a clean cloth. Do not throw away grains (these can be reused).
Note: Some sources say that people with defective kidneys should not drink this mixture as there are some bacteria that cannot be handled by the kidneys.
In this case, my colleague stopped drinking it for now since the state of her kidneys are not yet so clear... But she is sharing them. I look forward to having my share of these grains. I want to give some to my mom who I think badly needs it. Just a little faith in these miracle grains just might be the trick. ;)
Cheers!
Labels: Carmelites Sisters, cure, health, healthy living, Mother Theresa, recipes, remedies, tibicos |
| posted by Ann @ 10:44 AM
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| Monday, March 31, 2008 |
| 8 Natural ways to treat Colds and Flu |
Boy, oh boy, am I sick today! Colds stole into me yesterday, and last night, I knew something bad was going to happen. I read all the signs, but I did not do much to prevent it. And now, I hereby announce that today is the first official day of Mr. Colds' visit.
I know it is bound to get worse, especially since I am seated right below the air conditioning unit and the weather outside is absolutely, positively scorching. The perfect combination to nurse a starting cold. And without much medications available, the least I can do is bring relief and hopefully scare Mr. Colds from further stay.
Here are some remedies I found while trying to find a cure for my predicament. The following are natural ways to treat colds and flu (taken from WebMD):
- Blow your nose often - It is important to clear your nose regularly when colds strike, rather than collect mucus back into your nose. To blow your nose CORRECTLY, press a finger over one of your nostrils and blow gently to clear the other. Hygiene is a must, so go wash your hands after blowing your nose.
- Rest - In any other case, a good dose of R&R is important. How much more when your body is engaged in an all out immune battle? Show your support for your body and give it a rest.
- Use a salve under your nose - A dab of metholated salve under your nose can clear your nasal passages and help irritated skin under your nose. In my case, I favor a menthol stick called "Five Cranes." God knows how many times this has saved me from other uncomfortable threats on my health, other than colds. ;)
- Drink hot liquids - DO NOT be foolish as to drink boiling hot liquids! Now that would make things worse, don't you think? Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion and soothe the uncomfortable inflamed membranes lining your nose and throat.
- Take a steamy shower - Moisturize your nasal passages and relax yourself by taking a steamy shower. This works for those whose bathrooms come equipped with hot and cold showers. Although I think this would still do if you could boil water and mix it with tap water you've run for your bath.
- Gargle - Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary, but heavenly, relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times a day.
- Sleep with an extra pillow under your head - This helps drain your nasal passages. If you find that the angle is uncomfortable or awkward, try placing the pillows under your mattress to create a smoother slope.
- Apply hot or cold packs around your sinuses - Whichever temperature may relieve you of your discomfort. There are reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore which you can buy. Or you could make your own. To make your own packs, take a damp washcloth and put it in a microwave for 55 seconds (make sure to test the temperature if it suits you). Or take a small bag of frozen peas as a substitute for a cold pack. It is all up to you.
So far, these have worked for me. I hope it would work for anyone else who has colds. Not that I wish you had them. ;) Now I am off to Lalaland.. I really need my sleep badly. Hopefully, I will wake up to a better day, if not, then I'll see you later Mr. Colds!!
Ciao!Labels: colds, cure, medicine, remedies, sickness |
| posted by Ann @ 8:49 PM
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| About Me |
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Name: Ann
Home: Philippines
About Me: even when she has fairy wings on, this girl is anything BUT dainty. perhaps the size, the weight, and the personality alone are just too much for her to be considered delicate, prim, proper, and refined. this girl with the mud smudged cheeks has been down on the ground one to many times. these times forced her to be tougher, smarter, and more savvy than she has ever been. perhaps she will always be, never dainty.
email me: neverdainty [at] gmail [dot] com
See my complete profile
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