Reasons behind your weird dreams

Dreaming your partner's cheating on you? This and other weird dreams explained by an expert</EM> <P>Have you ever had an awful dream in which your partner cheated on you? Apparently, you are not alone. It's one of the five most common things that our minds play out in sleep.</P><P>Dreams can be mundane, surreal, or even verge on terrifying. It is thought that we typically have several a night, each lasting between five and 20 minutes, although we tend to forget most.</P>But how can we explain the ones we do remember?<BR>It is often our insecurities about our age, lifestyle, partners' infidelities and career choices which cause us to live out our fears in our sleep as we lose teeth, feel lost in unfamiliar places and fall from heights. <P>Delphi Ellis, a qualified therapist and specialist in dream analyses your worst horrors when asleep.</P><P><STRONG>YOUR LOVER'S HAVING AN AFFAIR</STRONG><BR>I'm often approached by people who have dreamt their partner is cheating and are worried that their subcon scious is trying to communicate this to them. Whilst it's fair to say we receive messages from our subconscious on many levels, this dream usually suggests a fear a partner will cheat, rather than evidence they're actually doing that.</P><P>This is particularly the case where someone has been unfaithful in the past in real life, reflecting a fear that it could happen again. The dream is most common, ironically, when the relationship is going well. If in doubt, put the elephant in the room and talk with your partner about it. If nothing is going on, they'll gladly reassure you that you have nothing to worry about.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE LOSING TEETH</STRONG><BR>This is a really common dream, the interpre falling out can suggest that money is an issue.</P><P>tation of which is steeped in traditional Many people dream that their teeth are meaning. For some cultures, teeth represent crumbling into the mouth. Anything in the people, so to dream of losing a tooth may sym mouth in a dream can symbolise a problem bolise a fear of losing someone close to you. with communication, so have a think about Today, teeth can also represent status and with whom you are struggling to get your wealth -so, again, to dream of one (or several) point across.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE BEING CHASED</STRONG><BR>This dream usually represents anxiety that something is catching up with you. If you know what's chasing you in the dream, this gives you a clue as to where the problem lies; however, many people just know they're being chased or sense a presence coming to get them.</P><P>It may be that you have some unfinished business with someone or you're worried that the past is somehow influencing your present. This doesn't mean you've done anything wrong; many people today feel they're not `good enough' in many areas of their life. If you're having this dream, perhaps you worry you'll be replaced by someone or something `better' at work or at home.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE FREE FALLING</STRONG><BR>Do you remember the story of Alice falling down the rabbit hole in Wonderland? Your dreams take you on a journey every night, and to dream of falling depends very much on how you experience it.If you're enjoying the sensation of falling, you're most likely relishing the feeling of not knowing where the latest adventure in your life takes you. If you dislike it, chances are you're feeling out of control and don't know what's next. Either way, the dream can highlight that changes are ahead and the future, to some extent, is unknown.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE IN AN UNKNOWN HOUSE</STRONG><BR>Houses in dreams often mirror our view of our place in the world; the outside of the house reflects what you're prepared to let the outside world see. If the windows are neatly dressed and the garden well kept, you could be trying to show people that you're organised and that everything is under control. What's going on inside the house, though, can give away your authentic emotional state. If the house is run down, you may have been overdoing it and need some time out. Many important conversations take place in the kitchen, so pay attention to the rooms that appear in your dreams and what message they're trying to convey. Houses have hidden rooms, which suggests that an opportunity has been presented to you and is waiting to be explored.</P><P>(Daily Mirror)</EM> </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Reasons-behind-your-weird-dreams/articleshow/44866690.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Reasons behind your weird dreams

Dreaming your partner's cheating on you? This and other weird dreams explained by an expert Have you ever had an awful dream in which ...

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Must-haves for a good night's sleep

Take a quick bath or use ear plugs to get sound sleep at night.</EM> <P>Here are a few things you can do to have a comfortable time sleeping, reports huffingtonpost.com.</P><P><STRONG>- A bath:</STRONG> Body temperature naturally dips about two hours before bedtime. A soak in the tub temporarily lifts your temperature resulting in a quick cooldown after you hop out of it - can be relaxing.</P><STRONG>- Ear plugs:</STRONG> These are a simple and inexpensive way to make your sleep even more quiet. They can help block out not only those traffic noises but a snoring bed partner or even the hum of electronics. <P><STRONG>- A good pillow:</STRONG> Most of us can appreciate the value of a good mattress but we don't always place such importance upon our pillows. But, your pillow might be the reason you're not sleeping well. Your sleep style plays a big role in the type of pillow you'll need, since it should ideally fill the gap between your head and shoulders when you lie down, keeping your head in perfect alignment to avoid neck pain.</P><P><STRONG>- An eye mask: </STRONG>Bright light and sleep don't go hand in hand, but the effects may be bigger than you realise. Even the seemingly innocuous glow of an alarm clock can send a message to your brain to stay awake and alert, so covering up with a mask can preserve your sleep haven.</P><P><STRONG>- The right combination of sheets and blankets:</STRONG> Bedding is crucial in maintaining the perfect temperature for sleep, and losing the covers can easily leave you either too hot or too cold on a regular basis. Luckily, you don't have to follow any rules of sheets and blankets, since it's mostly a matter of personal preference, but that does mean it might take some trial and error. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Must-haves-for-a-good-nights-sleep/articleshow/44834128.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Must-haves for a good night's sleep

Take a quick bath or use ear plugs to get sound sleep at night. Here are a few things you can do to have a comfortable time sleeping, repo...

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'Hidden' consciousness found in vegetative patients

A team of researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist Srivas Chennu from University of Cambridge has found hidden signatures of consciousness in the brains of people in a vegetative state.</EM> <P>These signatures point to networks that could support consciousness even when a patient appears to be unconscious and unresponsive, thus helping doctors identify patients who are aware despite being unable to communicate. </P><P>"Understanding how consciousness arises from the interactions between networks of brain regions is an elusive but fascinating scientific question. But for patients diagnosed as vegetative and minimally conscious, and their families, this is far more than just an academic question - it takes on a very real significance," explained Chennu from department of clinical neurosciences at University of Cambridge. </P>"Our research could improve clinical assessment and help identify patients who might be covertly aware despite being uncommunicative," he added. <P>The team used high-density electroencephalographs (EEG) and a branch of mathematics known as "graph theory" to study networks of activity in the brains of 32 patients diagnosed as vegetative and minimally conscious and compare them to healthy adults. </P><P>The findings showed that the rich and diversely connected networks that support awareness in the healthy brain are typically - but importantly, not always - impaired in patients in a vegetative state. </P><P>Some vegetative patients had well-preserved brain networks that look similar to those of healthy adults. </P><P>"These patients were those who had shown signs of hidden awareness by following commands such as imagining playing tennis," Chennu noted. </P><P>The findings could help researchers develop a relatively simple way of identifying which patients might be aware whilst in a vegetative state. </P><P>"If a patient's 'awareness' networks are intact then we know that they are likely to be aware of what is going on around them," added Tristan Bekinschtein from department of psychology. </P><P>The paper was published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology</EM>. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Hidden-consciousness-found-in-vegetative-patients/articleshow/44851317.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

'Hidden' consciousness found in vegetative patients

A team of researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist Srivas Chennu from University of Cambridge has found hidden signatures of conscious...

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A homemade medicine for your upset tummy

One of the most awaited festivals of the year, Diwali, is just around the corner. Everyone is busy shopping for trendy clothes, crackers and designer diyas</EM> to ring in the festival. </EM><P>Elders and youngsters alike are planning parties at home, and women have already started preparing menus and making sweets and savouries that would be served to the guests. While gorging on some mouthwatering delicacies is always fun during the festive season, it's important to ensure you don't end up with an upset tummy because of overindulging. It might be difficult to control your appetite, especially if you are surrounded by yummy food, but here's a sure-fire way by which you can avoid a tummy upset. </P><P>Elders in the family, from a very long time, have prepared a medicinal concoction at home, which is consumed the night before Diwali and also on the big day. In fact, feeding this medicine to youngsters in the family is almost a tradition in most South Indian households. The concoction, prepared using herbs and spices that are easily available, aids in digestion. Once prepared, this medicine can be stored in a container for as many as 15 days, and a small amount of it can be consumed every day in the morning. Here's how this homemade medicine is prepared:</P><P><STRONG>Ingredients</STRONG><BR>- Ginger (a couple of pieces) - Coriander seeds (50g) - Cumin seeds (50g) - Oregano (100g) - Black peppercorns (50g) - Long pepper (a couple of pieces) - Jaggery (sliced, proportionate to the medicinal herbs) - Honey (2 tbsp) - Ghee (4 tsp) - Lemon (one slice)<BR></P><BR><STRONG>Method</STRONG><BR>- Dry the ginger, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, oregano, black peppercorn and long pepper in the sun for a day and pound them all together. Sift the powder through a sieve to make it fine and refined. Heat one cup of water (or as required) in a kadai and add the ground powder when water starts boiling. Keep stirring so that the powder doesn't form lumps. Continue stirring the mixture till it becomes semi-solid, like a fine gravy. <P>- Alternatively, you can shallow roast the above ingredients in a kadai first, and powder them in a mixer with a cup of water till it becomes a paste. Now, transfer this paste on to the kadai again and start heating it up in low flame till it starts becoming semi-solid.</P><P>- Meanwhile, slice a chunk of jaggery, amounting to about one cup, and add the same to this mixture. Continue stirring till the jaggery dissolves.</P><P>- Keep stirring in low flame for about 30 minutes or till the concoction starts solidifying. Once every seven minutes or so, add a teaspoon of ghee and a little bit of honey to the mixture.</P><P>- Once the potion reaches a semi-solid states, squeeze a slice of lemon on it. Switch off the flame and let it cool. To make sure the medicine is in correct form, try rolling it in between your fingers to form a small ball.</P><P>- Remember that as the mixture cools, it will become even more solid. So, keep an eye on it while it's on flame and switch off the gas if you feel it has reached its semi-solid state sooner.</P><P>- Transfer to mixture to a clean container, and store it in a cool, dry place. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/A-homemade-medicine-for-your-upset-tummy/articleshow/44836411.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

A homemade medicine for your upset tummy

One of the most awaited festivals of the year, Diwali, is just around the corner. Everyone is busy shopping for trendy clothes, crackers an...

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Must-haves for a good night's sleep

Take a quick bath or use ear plugs to get sound sleep at night.</EM> <P>Here are a few things you can do to have a comfortable time sleeping, reports huffingtonpost.com.</P><P><STRONG>- A bath:</STRONG> Body temperature naturally dips about two hours before bedtime. A soak in the tub temporarily lifts your temperature resulting in a quick cooldown after you hop out of it - can be relaxing.</P><STRONG>- Ear plugs:</STRONG> These are a simple and inexpensive way to make your sleep even more quiet. They can help block out not only those traffic noises but a snoring bed partner or even the hum of electronics. <P><STRONG>- A good pillow:</STRONG> Most of us can appreciate the value of a good mattress but we don't always place such importance upon our pillows. But, your pillow might be the reason you're not sleeping well. Your sleep style plays a big role in the type of pillow you'll need, since it should ideally fill the gap between your head and shoulders when you lie down, keeping your head in perfect alignment to avoid neck pain.</P><P><STRONG>- An eye mask: </STRONG>Bright light and sleep don't go hand in hand, but the effects may be bigger than you realise. Even the seemingly innocuous glow of an alarm clock can send a message to your brain to stay awake and alert, so covering up with a mask can preserve your sleep haven.</P><P><STRONG>- The right combination of sheets and blankets:</STRONG> Bedding is crucial in maintaining the perfect temperature for sleep, and losing the covers can easily leave you either too hot or too cold on a regular basis. Luckily, you don't have to follow any rules of sheets and blankets, since it's mostly a matter of personal preference, but that does mean it might take some trial and error. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Must-haves-for-a-good-nights-sleep/articleshow/44834128.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Must-haves for a good night's sleep

Take a quick bath or use ear plugs to get sound sleep at night. Here are a few things you can do to have a comfortable time sleeping, repo...

Read more »

Internet addiction on the rise in Hyderabad

He has three profiles on social networking sites, uses multiple e-mail ids, knows the latest games on the market. His fingers race on the mobile phone and they keep twitching, pressing the buttons faster than you can keep up. </EM><P>The only time he meets his family is when they serve food on a plate in the dining room. He then again retreats to his bedroom, with all his gadgets in hand. "We realised something was wrong when he stopped talking to his sister and all his conversations were restricted to grunts and nods," says Rekha S, talking about her 18-year-old, son who's pursuing engineering. "We are at our wits end about what to do. Even when I take these gadgets into our bedroom, I wake up to find him on the family computer, typing furiously or giggling. I don't know what to do," confesses Rekha, who has a busy schedule as a consultant for emigration.</P><P><STRONG>Rekha's son is not alone — experts say that Internet</STRONG><BR>addiction is on the rise. In fact, NIMHANS, Bengaluru recently set up a specialised section to deal with Internet Addiction. "We are seeing one or two patients every week in the outpatient section. But the numbers are surely on the rise across the country as Internet is rapidly expanding its footprint. Children as young as eight, nine and 10 years are getting hooked on to internet to an extent that they lose control over their daily activities like what they do, food, speech and sleep," says Dr Vivek Benegal from the institute.<BR></P>Talking about Rekha's son's case, he explains, "Internet addiction is not a vice. It is neither good nor bad, but the boy has apparently lost control over his habit. It can be treated with a few counseling sessions and medication. Some of the children who are addicted to internet are highly creative, but may have difficulty in concentration." <P>But psychiatrists appear divided about Internet Addiction. It has not been included as a clinical diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Recently, after a 31-year-old patient checked into a hospital in the UK saying that he uses a digital device for 18 hours and cannot live without it, the doctors are not so sure.</P><P>So, what's the difference between excessive use and addiction? "Addiction is when it starts having an adverse<BR>impact on relationships and health. Work-wise, the person may even do better. Sleeping, eating and conversations get affected. Obsessive compulsive tendencies take over and the person is lost in the virtual world," says Rahul Luther, who runs a rehab centre for net addiction. "Obviously the cases are on the rise as more and more people are getting on the Internet. And some people don't know where to draw the line about its use," he says.</P><P>"We are seeing rising number of cases as the digital devices are getting increasingly affordable and smaller. The youngest person who was brought in by his parents for net addiction was 13. He had the constant urge to be on the net, access it on phone or play a game. Most of the youngsters we are dealing with are in the age group of 17-20. There is no great difference between an Internet addict and an alcohol addict. Both find it difficult to live without them. Adolescents are more at risk," says psychiatrist Dr Srilakshmi, who is part of a counseling team that runs a suicide helpline.</P><P>"Parents have to be on alert for behaviourial change in their children. Families usually bring their children after noticing a difference in their behaviour that includes sleeplessness, lack of appetite, socially withdrawn. The onus is on the parents," says Dr Srilakashmi, about tackling the spreading pandemic of internet addiction. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Internet-addiction-on-the-rise-in-Hyderabad/articleshow/44853008.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Internet addiction on the rise in Hyderabad

He has three profiles on social networking sites, uses multiple e-mail ids, knows the latest games on the market. His fingers race on the m...

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A new drug soon to treat heart attack

Some scar-forming cells in the heart have the ability to turn into cells that form blood vessels, which are required to boosts the heart's ability to heal after an injury, an Indian-origin researcher has found, suggesting a new approach to treat heart attack.</EM> <P>The team of researchers he led also found that a drug could enhance this phenomenon - turning the scar-forming cells in the heart, known as fibroblasts to endothelial cells that form blood vessels - and improve the repair process after a heart attack.</P><P>"Our findings suggest the possibility of coaxing scar-forming cells in the heart to change their identity into blood vessel-forming cells, which could potentially be a useful approach for better heart repair," said the study's senior author Arjun Deb, associate professor of medicine at the University of California-Los Angeles in the US.</P>"It is well known that increasing the number of blood vessels in the injured heart following a heart attack improves its ability to heal," Deb added. <P>Through experiments on mice in which scar-forming cells in the heart were genetically labelled, the researchers discovered that many of the fibroblasts in the heart's injured region changed into endothelial cells.</P><P>This process contributed directly to blood vessel formation - a phenomenon they called mesenchymal-endothelial transition or MEndoT.</P><P>The researchers also identified a molecular mechanism that regulated MEndoT and found that administering a small molecule to augment MEndoT led to less scarring and allowed the heart to heal more completely.</P><P>The study appeared in the journal Nature.</EM> </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/A-new-drug-soon-to-treat-heart-attack/articleshow/44834264.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

A new drug soon to treat heart attack

Some scar-forming cells in the heart have the ability to turn into cells that form blood vessels, which are required to boosts the heart...

Read more »

'Hidden' consciousness found in vegetative patients

A team of researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist Srivas Chennu from University of Cambridge has found hidden signatures of consciousness in the brains of people in a vegetative state.</EM> <P>These signatures point to networks that could support consciousness even when a patient appears to be unconscious and unresponsive, thus helping doctors identify patients who are aware despite being unable to communicate. </P><P>"Understanding how consciousness arises from the interactions between networks of brain regions is an elusive but fascinating scientific question. But for patients diagnosed as vegetative and minimally conscious, and their families, this is far more than just an academic question - it takes on a very real significance," explained Chennu from department of clinical neurosciences at University of Cambridge. </P>"Our research could improve clinical assessment and help identify patients who might be covertly aware despite being uncommunicative," he added. <P>The team used high-density electroencephalographs (EEG) and a branch of mathematics known as "graph theory" to study networks of activity in the brains of 32 patients diagnosed as vegetative and minimally conscious and compare them to healthy adults. </P><P>The findings showed that the rich and diversely connected networks that support awareness in the healthy brain are typically - but importantly, not always - impaired in patients in a vegetative state. </P><P>Some vegetative patients had well-preserved brain networks that look similar to those of healthy adults. </P><P>"These patients were those who had shown signs of hidden awareness by following commands such as imagining playing tennis," Chennu noted. </P><P>The findings could help researchers develop a relatively simple way of identifying which patients might be aware whilst in a vegetative state. </P><P>"If a patient's 'awareness' networks are intact then we know that they are likely to be aware of what is going on around them," added Tristan Bekinschtein from department of psychology. </P><P>The paper was published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology</EM>. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Hidden-consciousness-found-in-vegetative-patients/articleshow/44851317.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

'Hidden' consciousness found in vegetative patients

A team of researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist Srivas Chennu from University of Cambridge has found hidden signatures of conscious...

Read more »

Nomophobia cases are on the rise among youngsters

I have made a small stand in the toilet where I keep my phone. That's because I can't spend a moment away from it. I do this because I feel that the phone is a private thing. I cannot keep it lying around at home — you never know who gets into your history and checks what you do," says Peter Dias, a student from a well-known college.</EM> <P>A recent study by the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University found that college students spend an average of nine hours a day using their cellphone. While female college students spend 10 hours using the device, male college students use their cellphone for almost eight hours a day. When we speak to people closer home, the stats don't sound very different.</P><P><STRONG>What's 'Nomophobia'?</STRONG></P>Following on the heels of Crackberry Addiction (the addiction to Blackberry was categorized by hearing 'phantom ringing', along with a need to constantly send and receive messages and phone calls to reaffirm one's sense of importanct), the Smartphone Addiction has been disgnosed as Nomophobia. The term — which is an abbreviation for 'No-Mobile-Phone Phobia' — was coined in a 2010 study by the UK post office. YoGov, a research organization found that in the UK, there were as many as 53 % people who would get anxious when they lost their mobile phones, ran out of battery or talk time balance, or wouldn't have coverage. The figures may be big in the UK, but psychiatrists in India say they are battling with a similar scenario. <P><STRONG>Odd cases of smartphone addiction around the world:</STRONG></P><P>Danny Bowman, 19 — also known as Britain's first selfie addict — spent 10 hours a day taking up to 200 snaps of himself on his iPhone. When he failed to take the perfect selfie, he tried to kill himself. "It's a real problem like drugs, alcohol or gambling. I don't want anyone to go through what I've been through," he later said.</P><P>According to the Lancet medical journal, a 34-year-old woman used her mobile messaging service to such a great extent, that she landed up in the hospital and had to be treated for severe wrist pain. The diagnosis was "bilateral extensor pollicis longus tendinitis of the thumb", which the doctor nicknamed as "WhatsAppitis". </P><P>A 24-year-old graduate in Gorakhpur committed suicide after her parents scolded her over her excessive use of a social networking site. In the suicide note, she wrote, "I cannot stay in a home with such restrictions as I can't live without Facebook."</P><P><STRONG>TACKLING THE ADDICTION</STRONG><BR>Students are so addicted to their phones, a teacher told us, that "the students now feel that phones are their lifeline and a moment without it means literal death. They use their phone so extensively, that they click photos of their exam timetables and record the slides for their PowerPoint presentations on them. They also probably record entire lectures. "Sometimes while you are teaching, the students keep looking into the desks, and when you ask them, they say they were looking for a pen or something in their bags," informed a college professor.</P><P>Another higher secondary school said they have a special box made where the phones are kept during the class hours and can be taken at the end of the day. "Some of the students live very far from the school and because some classes end late in the evening, parents have requested permission for their children to carry phones," informed a senior teacher.</P><P>"My friends and I play this game when we all meet up - it's called the 'No Touching Your Phone' game. We stack all our phones in the middle of the table, and nobody is allowed to touch their phone. If anyone does, they have to pay the bill. If not, we all contribute," said Ryspha Candice Monteiro.</P><P><STRONG>SELFIE ANXIETY VERY COMMON: PSYCHIATRISTS</STRONG><BR>"My daughter keeps her phone with her at all times. It's so irritating — even while I am talking to her, she is busy typing. She has just joined a new company and it's a relief that they don't allow her to use a phone during work hours. I have to scream at her every time to tell her to get off the phone for a while and help me with the chores. At night, her sister complains that she sleeps at three in the morning because she keeps texting. I'm glad she doesn't take it to the bathroom. That's the only place left in the house where she doesn't use her phone," said Radha Nair, a mother of two.</P><P>Dr Ravindra Agarwal, consultant psychiatrist at a hospital, said that there has been an increase in the number of cases he gets every day. Almost 70% of the cases among adolescents are now regarding the amount of time people splurge on their cellphones. "There was a time when parents came to me complaining and whining about how their children played on the ground and did not study, over the years it was the computer and the internet, and now it's cellphones. This has been affecting the youngsters' minds so much, that some have even gone into depression," he said.</P><P>He cited some of the cases he's come across — a student from Panaji, Goa had gone into depression after she was denied a touchscreen smartphone and had to make to with the number pad device. This could be categorized as peer pressure too, but not having a phone causing depression was unheard of before. Another student with anxiety issues said that out of the many worries on his list, one was which selfie to update on his mobile messaging site. "This patient was always worried as to what picture he should click and upload. This has becoming increasingly common. I have been talking to other students and they too tell me that they like to take selfies of themselves at every juncture," informed Dr Agarwal.</P><P>Dr Brahmanand Cuncolienkar, psychiatrist, said, "The reasons for the cellphone addiction is the parents. As both the parents are tired after coming from work, they give phones to their children to play with. This way, they have the child engrossed in some activity. Gone are the days when parents would ask the child how they spent the day at school. The other thing is that parents take their phones to the bathroom, or the kitchen, and this is what the child learns from them."</P><P>Kimberly Colaco</EM> </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Nomophobia-cases-are-on-the-rise-among-youngsters/articleshow/44879066.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Nomophobia cases are on the rise among youngsters

I have made a small stand in the toilet where I keep my phone. That's because I can't spend a moment away from it. I do this becaus...

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Reasons behind your weird dreams

Dreaming your partner's cheating on you? This and other weird dreams explained by an expert</EM> <P>Have you ever had an awful dream in which your partner cheated on you? Apparently, you are not alone. It's one of the five most common things that our minds play out in sleep.</P><P>Dreams can be mundane, surreal, or even verge on terrifying. It is thought that we typically have several a night, each lasting between five and 20 minutes, although we tend to forget most.</P>But how can we explain the ones we do remember?<BR>It is often our insecurities about our age, lifestyle, partners' infidelities and career choices which cause us to live out our fears in our sleep as we lose teeth, feel lost in unfamiliar places and fall from heights. <P>Delphi Ellis, a qualified therapist and specialist in dream analyses your worst horrors when asleep.</P><P><STRONG>YOUR LOVER'S HAVING AN AFFAIR</STRONG><BR>I'm often approached by people who have dreamt their partner is cheating and are worried that their subcon scious is trying to communicate this to them. Whilst it's fair to say we receive messages from our subconscious on many levels, this dream usually suggests a fear a partner will cheat, rather than evidence they're actually doing that.</P><P>This is particularly the case where someone has been unfaithful in the past in real life, reflecting a fear that it could happen again. The dream is most common, ironically, when the relationship is going well. If in doubt, put the elephant in the room and talk with your partner about it. If nothing is going on, they'll gladly reassure you that you have nothing to worry about.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE LOSING TEETH</STRONG><BR>This is a really common dream, the interpre falling out can suggest that money is an issue.</P><P>tation of which is steeped in traditional Many people dream that their teeth are meaning. For some cultures, teeth represent crumbling into the mouth. Anything in the people, so to dream of losing a tooth may sym mouth in a dream can symbolise a problem bolise a fear of losing someone close to you. with communication, so have a think about Today, teeth can also represent status and with whom you are struggling to get your wealth -so, again, to dream of one (or several) point across.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE BEING CHASED</STRONG><BR>This dream usually represents anxiety that something is catching up with you. If you know what's chasing you in the dream, this gives you a clue as to where the problem lies; however, many people just know they're being chased or sense a presence coming to get them.</P><P>It may be that you have some unfinished business with someone or you're worried that the past is somehow influencing your present. This doesn't mean you've done anything wrong; many people today feel they're not `good enough' in many areas of their life. If you're having this dream, perhaps you worry you'll be replaced by someone or something `better' at work or at home.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE FREE FALLING</STRONG><BR>Do you remember the story of Alice falling down the rabbit hole in Wonderland? Your dreams take you on a journey every night, and to dream of falling depends very much on how you experience it.If you're enjoying the sensation of falling, you're most likely relishing the feeling of not knowing where the latest adventure in your life takes you. If you dislike it, chances are you're feeling out of control and don't know what's next. Either way, the dream can highlight that changes are ahead and the future, to some extent, is unknown.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE IN AN UNKNOWN HOUSE</STRONG><BR>Houses in dreams often mirror our view of our place in the world; the outside of the house reflects what you're prepared to let the outside world see. If the windows are neatly dressed and the garden well kept, you could be trying to show people that you're organised and that everything is under control. What's going on inside the house, though, can give away your authentic emotional state. If the house is run down, you may have been overdoing it and need some time out. Many important conversations take place in the kitchen, so pay attention to the rooms that appear in your dreams and what message they're trying to convey. Houses have hidden rooms, which suggests that an opportunity has been presented to you and is waiting to be explored.</P><P>(Daily Mirror)</EM> </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Reasons-behind-your-weird-dreams/articleshow/44866690.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Reasons behind your weird dreams

Dreaming your partner's cheating on you? This and other weird dreams explained by an expert Have you ever had an awful dream in which ...

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A new drug soon to treat heart attack

Some scar-forming cells in the heart have the ability to turn into cells that form blood vessels, which are required to boosts the heart's ability to heal after an injury, an Indian-origin researcher has found, suggesting a new approach to treat heart attack.</EM> <P>The team of researchers he led also found that a drug could enhance this phenomenon - turning the scar-forming cells in the heart, known as fibroblasts to endothelial cells that form blood vessels - and improve the repair process after a heart attack.</P><P>"Our findings suggest the possibility of coaxing scar-forming cells in the heart to change their identity into blood vessel-forming cells, which could potentially be a useful approach for better heart repair," said the study's senior author Arjun Deb, associate professor of medicine at the University of California-Los Angeles in the US.</P>"It is well known that increasing the number of blood vessels in the injured heart following a heart attack improves its ability to heal," Deb added. <P>Through experiments on mice in which scar-forming cells in the heart were genetically labelled, the researchers discovered that many of the fibroblasts in the heart's injured region changed into endothelial cells.</P><P>This process contributed directly to blood vessel formation - a phenomenon they called mesenchymal-endothelial transition or MEndoT.</P><P>The researchers also identified a molecular mechanism that regulated MEndoT and found that administering a small molecule to augment MEndoT led to less scarring and allowed the heart to heal more completely.</P><P>The study appeared in the journal Nature.</EM> </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/A-new-drug-soon-to-treat-heart-attack/articleshow/44834264.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

A new drug soon to treat heart attack

Some scar-forming cells in the heart have the ability to turn into cells that form blood vessels, which are required to boosts the heart...

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How the birth season can trigger mood disorders

The risk of developing mood disorders is impacted by the season in which you are born in, a research showed.</EM> <P>People born at certain times of year may have a greater chance of developing certain types of affective temperaments which, in turn, could lead to mood disorders ( affective disorders).</P><P>"Biochemical studies have shown that the season in which you are born has an influence on certain monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which is detectable even in adult life. This led us to believe that birth season may have a longer-lasting effect," said Xenia Gonda, assistant professor from the department of clinical and theoretical mental health at the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary.</P>The team looked at over 400 participants and matched their birth season to personality types in later life. <P>The group found that cyclothymic temperament (characterised by rapid, frequent swings between sad and cheerful moods), is significantly higher in those born during summer in comparison with those born during winter.</P><P>"Hyperthymic temperament - a tendency to be excessively positive - were significantly higher in those born in spring and summer," Gonda added.</P><P>Those born during winter were significantly less prone to irritable temperament than those born at other times of the year.</P><P>While those born during autumn show a significantly lower tendency to depressive temperament than those born during winter, the researchers noted.</P><P>"Temperaments are not disorders but biologically-driven behavioural and emotional trends. Although both genetic and environmental factors are involved in one's temperament, now we know that the season at birth plays a role too," concluded professor Eduard Vieta from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CNP).</P><P>This work was presented at the European College of CNP Congress in Berlin recently. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/How-the-birth-season-can-trigger-mood-disorders/articleshow/44885640.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

How the birth season can trigger mood disorders

The risk of developing mood disorders is impacted by the season in which you are born in, a research showed. People born at certain times ...

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Nomophobia cases are on the rise among youngsters

I have made a small stand in the toilet where I keep my phone. That's because I can't spend a moment away from it. I do this because I feel that the phone is a private thing. I cannot keep it lying around at home — you never know who gets into your history and checks what you do," says Peter Dias, a student from a well-known college.</EM> <P>A recent study by the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University found that college students spend an average of nine hours a day using their cellphone. While female college students spend 10 hours using the device, male college students use their cellphone for almost eight hours a day. When we speak to people closer home, the stats don't sound very different.</P><P><STRONG>What's 'Nomophobia'?</STRONG></P>Following on the heels of Crackberry Addiction (the addiction to Blackberry was categorized by hearing 'phantom ringing', along with a need to constantly send and receive messages and phone calls to reaffirm one's sense of importanct), the Smartphone Addiction has been disgnosed as Nomophobia. The term — which is an abbreviation for 'No-Mobile-Phone Phobia' — was coined in a 2010 study by the UK post office. YoGov, a research organization found that in the UK, there were as many as 53 % people who would get anxious when they lost their mobile phones, ran out of battery or talk time balance, or wouldn't have coverage. The figures may be big in the UK, but psychiatrists in India say they are battling with a similar scenario. <P><STRONG>Odd cases of smartphone addiction around the world:</STRONG></P><P>Danny Bowman, 19 — also known as Britain's first selfie addict — spent 10 hours a day taking up to 200 snaps of himself on his iPhone. When he failed to take the perfect selfie, he tried to kill himself. "It's a real problem like drugs, alcohol or gambling. I don't want anyone to go through what I've been through," he later said.</P><P>According to the Lancet medical journal, a 34-year-old woman used her mobile messaging service to such a great extent, that she landed up in the hospital and had to be treated for severe wrist pain. The diagnosis was "bilateral extensor pollicis longus tendinitis of the thumb", which the doctor nicknamed as "WhatsAppitis". </P><P>A 24-year-old graduate in Gorakhpur committed suicide after her parents scolded her over her excessive use of a social networking site. In the suicide note, she wrote, "I cannot stay in a home with such restrictions as I can't live without Facebook."</P><P><STRONG>TACKLING THE ADDICTION</STRONG><BR>Students are so addicted to their phones, a teacher told us, that "the students now feel that phones are their lifeline and a moment without it means literal death. They use their phone so extensively, that they click photos of their exam timetables and record the slides for their PowerPoint presentations on them. They also probably record entire lectures. "Sometimes while you are teaching, the students keep looking into the desks, and when you ask them, they say they were looking for a pen or something in their bags," informed a college professor.</P><P>Another higher secondary school said they have a special box made where the phones are kept during the class hours and can be taken at the end of the day. "Some of the students live very far from the school and because some classes end late in the evening, parents have requested permission for their children to carry phones," informed a senior teacher.</P><P>"My friends and I play this game when we all meet up - it's called the 'No Touching Your Phone' game. We stack all our phones in the middle of the table, and nobody is allowed to touch their phone. If anyone does, they have to pay the bill. If not, we all contribute," said Ryspha Candice Monteiro.</P><P><STRONG>SELFIE ANXIETY VERY COMMON: PSYCHIATRISTS</STRONG><BR>"My daughter keeps her phone with her at all times. It's so irritating — even while I am talking to her, she is busy typing. She has just joined a new company and it's a relief that they don't allow her to use a phone during work hours. I have to scream at her every time to tell her to get off the phone for a while and help me with the chores. At night, her sister complains that she sleeps at three in the morning because she keeps texting. I'm glad she doesn't take it to the bathroom. That's the only place left in the house where she doesn't use her phone," said Radha Nair, a mother of two.</P><P>Dr Ravindra Agarwal, consultant psychiatrist at a hospital, said that there has been an increase in the number of cases he gets every day. Almost 70% of the cases among adolescents are now regarding the amount of time people splurge on their cellphones. "There was a time when parents came to me complaining and whining about how their children played on the ground and did not study, over the years it was the computer and the internet, and now it's cellphones. This has been affecting the youngsters' minds so much, that some have even gone into depression," he said.</P><P>He cited some of the cases he's come across — a student from Panaji, Goa had gone into depression after she was denied a touchscreen smartphone and had to make to with the number pad device. This could be categorized as peer pressure too, but not having a phone causing depression was unheard of before. Another student with anxiety issues said that out of the many worries on his list, one was which selfie to update on his mobile messaging site. "This patient was always worried as to what picture he should click and upload. This has becoming increasingly common. I have been talking to other students and they too tell me that they like to take selfies of themselves at every juncture," informed Dr Agarwal.</P><P>Dr Brahmanand Cuncolienkar, psychiatrist, said, "The reasons for the cellphone addiction is the parents. As both the parents are tired after coming from work, they give phones to their children to play with. This way, they have the child engrossed in some activity. Gone are the days when parents would ask the child how they spent the day at school. The other thing is that parents take their phones to the bathroom, or the kitchen, and this is what the child learns from them."</P><P>Kimberly Colaco</EM> </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Nomophobia-cases-are-on-the-rise-among-youngsters/articleshow/44879066.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Nomophobia cases are on the rise among youngsters

I have made a small stand in the toilet where I keep my phone. That's because I can't spend a moment away from it. I do this becaus...

Read more »

Nomophobia cases are on the rise among youngsters

I have made a small stand in the toilet where I keep my phone. That's because I can't spend a moment away from it. I do this because I feel that the phone is a private thing. I cannot keep it lying around at home — you never know who gets into your history and checks what you do," says Peter Dias, a student from a well-known college.</EM> <P>A recent study by the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University found that college students spend an average of nine hours a day using their cellphone. While female college students spend 10 hours using the device, male college students use their cellphone for almost eight hours a day. When we speak to people closer home, the stats don't sound very different.</P><P><STRONG>What's 'Nomophobia'?</STRONG></P>Following on the heels of Crackberry Addiction (the addiction to Blackberry was categorized by hearing 'phantom ringing', along with a need to constantly send and receive messages and phone calls to reaffirm one's sense of importanct), the Smartphone Addiction has been disgnosed as Nomophobia. The term — which is an abbreviation for 'No-Mobile-Phone Phobia' — was coined in a 2010 study by the UK post office. YoGov, a research organization found that in the UK, there were as many as 53 % people who would get anxious when they lost their mobile phones, ran out of battery or talk time balance, or wouldn't have coverage. The figures may be big in the UK, but psychiatrists in India say they are battling with a similar scenario. <P><STRONG>Odd cases of smartphone addiction around the world:</STRONG></P><P>Danny Bowman, 19 — also known as Britain's first selfie addict — spent 10 hours a day taking up to 200 snaps of himself on his iPhone. When he failed to take the perfect selfie, he tried to kill himself. "It's a real problem like drugs, alcohol or gambling. I don't want anyone to go through what I've been through," he later said.</P><P>According to the Lancet medical journal, a 34-year-old woman used her mobile messaging service to such a great extent, that she landed up in the hospital and had to be treated for severe wrist pain. The diagnosis was "bilateral extensor pollicis longus tendinitis of the thumb", which the doctor nicknamed as "WhatsAppitis". </P><P>A 24-year-old graduate in Gorakhpur committed suicide after her parents scolded her over her excessive use of a social networking site. In the suicide note, she wrote, "I cannot stay in a home with such restrictions as I can't live without Facebook."</P><P><STRONG>TACKLING THE ADDICTION</STRONG><BR>Students are so addicted to their phones, a teacher told us, that "the students now feel that phones are their lifeline and a moment without it means literal death. They use their phone so extensively, that they click photos of their exam timetables and record the slides for their PowerPoint presentations on them. They also probably record entire lectures. "Sometimes while you are teaching, the students keep looking into the desks, and when you ask them, they say they were looking for a pen or something in their bags," informed a college professor.</P><P>Another higher secondary school said they have a special box made where the phones are kept during the class hours and can be taken at the end of the day. "Some of the students live very far from the school and because some classes end late in the evening, parents have requested permission for their children to carry phones," informed a senior teacher.</P><P>"My friends and I play this game when we all meet up - it's called the 'No Touching Your Phone' game. We stack all our phones in the middle of the table, and nobody is allowed to touch their phone. If anyone does, they have to pay the bill. If not, we all contribute," said Ryspha Candice Monteiro.</P><P><STRONG>SELFIE ANXIETY VERY COMMON: PSYCHIATRISTS</STRONG><BR>"My daughter keeps her phone with her at all times. It's so irritating — even while I am talking to her, she is busy typing. She has just joined a new company and it's a relief that they don't allow her to use a phone during work hours. I have to scream at her every time to tell her to get off the phone for a while and help me with the chores. At night, her sister complains that she sleeps at three in the morning because she keeps texting. I'm glad she doesn't take it to the bathroom. That's the only place left in the house where she doesn't use her phone," said Radha Nair, a mother of two.</P><P>Dr Ravindra Agarwal, consultant psychiatrist at a hospital, said that there has been an increase in the number of cases he gets every day. Almost 70% of the cases among adolescents are now regarding the amount of time people splurge on their cellphones. "There was a time when parents came to me complaining and whining about how their children played on the ground and did not study, over the years it was the computer and the internet, and now it's cellphones. This has been affecting the youngsters' minds so much, that some have even gone into depression," he said.</P><P>He cited some of the cases he's come across — a student from Panaji, Goa had gone into depression after she was denied a touchscreen smartphone and had to make to with the number pad device. This could be categorized as peer pressure too, but not having a phone causing depression was unheard of before. Another student with anxiety issues said that out of the many worries on his list, one was which selfie to update on his mobile messaging site. "This patient was always worried as to what picture he should click and upload. This has becoming increasingly common. I have been talking to other students and they too tell me that they like to take selfies of themselves at every juncture," informed Dr Agarwal.</P><P>Dr Brahmanand Cuncolienkar, psychiatrist, said, "The reasons for the cellphone addiction is the parents. As both the parents are tired after coming from work, they give phones to their children to play with. This way, they have the child engrossed in some activity. Gone are the days when parents would ask the child how they spent the day at school. The other thing is that parents take their phones to the bathroom, or the kitchen, and this is what the child learns from them."</P><P>Kimberly Colaco</EM> </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Nomophobia-cases-are-on-the-rise-among-youngsters/articleshow/44879066.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Nomophobia cases are on the rise among youngsters

I have made a small stand in the toilet where I keep my phone. That's because I can't spend a moment away from it. I do this becaus...

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Must-haves for a good night's sleep

Take a quick bath or use ear plugs to get sound sleep at night.</EM> <P>Here are a few things you can do to have a comfortable time sleeping, reports huffingtonpost.com.</P><P><STRONG>- A bath:</STRONG> Body temperature naturally dips about two hours before bedtime. A soak in the tub temporarily lifts your temperature resulting in a quick cooldown after you hop out of it - can be relaxing.</P><STRONG>- Ear plugs:</STRONG> These are a simple and inexpensive way to make your sleep even more quiet. They can help block out not only those traffic noises but a snoring bed partner or even the hum of electronics. <P><STRONG>- A good pillow:</STRONG> Most of us can appreciate the value of a good mattress but we don't always place such importance upon our pillows. But, your pillow might be the reason you're not sleeping well. Your sleep style plays a big role in the type of pillow you'll need, since it should ideally fill the gap between your head and shoulders when you lie down, keeping your head in perfect alignment to avoid neck pain.</P><P><STRONG>- An eye mask: </STRONG>Bright light and sleep don't go hand in hand, but the effects may be bigger than you realise. Even the seemingly innocuous glow of an alarm clock can send a message to your brain to stay awake and alert, so covering up with a mask can preserve your sleep haven.</P><P><STRONG>- The right combination of sheets and blankets:</STRONG> Bedding is crucial in maintaining the perfect temperature for sleep, and losing the covers can easily leave you either too hot or too cold on a regular basis. Luckily, you don't have to follow any rules of sheets and blankets, since it's mostly a matter of personal preference, but that does mean it might take some trial and error. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Must-haves-for-a-good-nights-sleep/articleshow/44834128.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Must-haves for a good night's sleep

Take a quick bath or use ear plugs to get sound sleep at night. Here are a few things you can do to have a comfortable time sleeping, repo...

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Does Bangalore have unhealthy eating habits?

A recent pan-India survey states that Bangalore is the frontrunner in placing food orders between 3 pm and 7 pm, which is between lunch and dinner. This study, which dealt with comprehending food-ordering trends online, states that 18% of food orders come from the city. The study adds that Italian, Chinese and fast foods are the top three cuisine choices.</EM> <P>While it comes as no surprise that India's IT capital leads the way in online food orders, this habit of snacking on heavy food between meal times is unhealthy, reason experts. Wellness consultant Sheela Krishnaswamy says that this habit of eating heavier meals during snack hour can pose long-term health problems. </P><P>"Unless these orders are for an early dinner or for those who begin their day late and work on a different shift, this is unhealthy. One cannot snack on such heavy food between meals," says Sheela, who believes that even a pizza shared among many doesn't amount to a good tea-time snack. "Soups, salads, fruit platters or even corn cups make better snacking options between lunch and dinner. People should stay away from heavier options like Chinese, Italian and Mughlai," she adds. Fitness expert Wanitha Ashok believes that this is also because a lot of the healthier meal options, which are usually smaller portions, aren't easily offered on these sites. "Ideally, south Indian foods like idli or upma serve as healthy eating options between 4 pm and 6 pm. Italian and Chinese are not adviseable. A calorie is a calorie and any excess deposits as fat in the body. Ideally, carry a fruit with you. Eventually, it comes down to mind over matter, and the matter here is food," says Wanitha. </P>Youngsters who place food orders online in the city seem to echo Wanitha's sentiments. "While we'd prefer ordering smaller snacking options, our office is on the outskirts of the city and there are limited options for healthy eating. The trouble with these portals is that our choice is limited and there is a minimum order that has to be placed, which often leads us to order extra and eating it too," says Rashi M, brand consultant at an IT firm. <br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Does-Bangalore-have-unhealthy-eating-habits/articleshow/44825427.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Does Bangalore have unhealthy eating habits?

A recent pan-India survey states that Bangalore is the frontrunner in placing food orders between 3 pm and 7 pm, which is between lunch and...

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Reasons behind your weird dreams

Dreaming your partner's cheating on you? This and other weird dreams explained by an expert</EM> <P>Have you ever had an awful dream in which your partner cheated on you? Apparently, you are not alone. It's one of the five most common things that our minds play out in sleep.</P><P>Dreams can be mundane, surreal, or even verge on terrifying. It is thought that we typically have several a night, each lasting between five and 20 minutes, although we tend to forget most.</P>But how can we explain the ones we do remember?<BR>It is often our insecurities about our age, lifestyle, partners' infidelities and career choices which cause us to live out our fears in our sleep as we lose teeth, feel lost in unfamiliar places and fall from heights. <P>Delphi Ellis, a qualified therapist and specialist in dream analyses your worst horrors when asleep.</P><P><STRONG>YOUR LOVER'S HAVING AN AFFAIR</STRONG><BR>I'm often approached by people who have dreamt their partner is cheating and are worried that their subcon scious is trying to communicate this to them. Whilst it's fair to say we receive messages from our subconscious on many levels, this dream usually suggests a fear a partner will cheat, rather than evidence they're actually doing that.</P><P>This is particularly the case where someone has been unfaithful in the past in real life, reflecting a fear that it could happen again. The dream is most common, ironically, when the relationship is going well. If in doubt, put the elephant in the room and talk with your partner about it. If nothing is going on, they'll gladly reassure you that you have nothing to worry about.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE LOSING TEETH</STRONG><BR>This is a really common dream, the interpre falling out can suggest that money is an issue.</P><P>tation of which is steeped in traditional Many people dream that their teeth are meaning. For some cultures, teeth represent crumbling into the mouth. Anything in the people, so to dream of losing a tooth may sym mouth in a dream can symbolise a problem bolise a fear of losing someone close to you. with communication, so have a think about Today, teeth can also represent status and with whom you are struggling to get your wealth -so, again, to dream of one (or several) point across.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE BEING CHASED</STRONG><BR>This dream usually represents anxiety that something is catching up with you. If you know what's chasing you in the dream, this gives you a clue as to where the problem lies; however, many people just know they're being chased or sense a presence coming to get them.</P><P>It may be that you have some unfinished business with someone or you're worried that the past is somehow influencing your present. This doesn't mean you've done anything wrong; many people today feel they're not `good enough' in many areas of their life. If you're having this dream, perhaps you worry you'll be replaced by someone or something `better' at work or at home.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE FREE FALLING</STRONG><BR>Do you remember the story of Alice falling down the rabbit hole in Wonderland? Your dreams take you on a journey every night, and to dream of falling depends very much on how you experience it.If you're enjoying the sensation of falling, you're most likely relishing the feeling of not knowing where the latest adventure in your life takes you. If you dislike it, chances are you're feeling out of control and don't know what's next. Either way, the dream can highlight that changes are ahead and the future, to some extent, is unknown.</P><P><STRONG>YOU ARE IN AN UNKNOWN HOUSE</STRONG><BR>Houses in dreams often mirror our view of our place in the world; the outside of the house reflects what you're prepared to let the outside world see. If the windows are neatly dressed and the garden well kept, you could be trying to show people that you're organised and that everything is under control. What's going on inside the house, though, can give away your authentic emotional state. If the house is run down, you may have been overdoing it and need some time out. Many important conversations take place in the kitchen, so pay attention to the rooms that appear in your dreams and what message they're trying to convey. Houses have hidden rooms, which suggests that an opportunity has been presented to you and is waiting to be explored.</P><P>(Daily Mirror)</EM> </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Reasons-behind-your-weird-dreams/articleshow/44866690.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

Reasons behind your weird dreams

Dreaming your partner's cheating on you? This and other weird dreams explained by an expert Have you ever had an awful dream in which ...

Read more »

How the birth season can trigger mood disorders

The risk of developing mood disorders is impacted by the season in which you are born in, a research showed.</EM> <P>People born at certain times of year may have a greater chance of developing certain types of affective temperaments which, in turn, could lead to mood disorders ( affective disorders).</P><P>"Biochemical studies have shown that the season in which you are born has an influence on certain monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which is detectable even in adult life. This led us to believe that birth season may have a longer-lasting effect," said Xenia Gonda, assistant professor from the department of clinical and theoretical mental health at the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary.</P>The team looked at over 400 participants and matched their birth season to personality types in later life. <P>The group found that cyclothymic temperament (characterised by rapid, frequent swings between sad and cheerful moods), is significantly higher in those born during summer in comparison with those born during winter.</P><P>"Hyperthymic temperament - a tendency to be excessively positive - were significantly higher in those born in spring and summer," Gonda added.</P><P>Those born during winter were significantly less prone to irritable temperament than those born at other times of the year.</P><P>While those born during autumn show a significantly lower tendency to depressive temperament than those born during winter, the researchers noted.</P><P>"Temperaments are not disorders but biologically-driven behavioural and emotional trends. Although both genetic and environmental factors are involved in one's temperament, now we know that the season at birth plays a role too," concluded professor Eduard Vieta from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CNP).</P><P>This work was presented at the European College of CNP Congress in Berlin recently. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/How-the-birth-season-can-trigger-mood-disorders/articleshow/44885640.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

How the birth season can trigger mood disorders

The risk of developing mood disorders is impacted by the season in which you are born in, a research showed. People born at certain times ...

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'Hidden' consciousness found in vegetative patients

A team of researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist Srivas Chennu from University of Cambridge has found hidden signatures of consciousness in the brains of people in a vegetative state.</EM> <P>These signatures point to networks that could support consciousness even when a patient appears to be unconscious and unresponsive, thus helping doctors identify patients who are aware despite being unable to communicate. </P><P>"Understanding how consciousness arises from the interactions between networks of brain regions is an elusive but fascinating scientific question. But for patients diagnosed as vegetative and minimally conscious, and their families, this is far more than just an academic question - it takes on a very real significance," explained Chennu from department of clinical neurosciences at University of Cambridge. </P>"Our research could improve clinical assessment and help identify patients who might be covertly aware despite being uncommunicative," he added. <P>The team used high-density electroencephalographs (EEG) and a branch of mathematics known as "graph theory" to study networks of activity in the brains of 32 patients diagnosed as vegetative and minimally conscious and compare them to healthy adults. </P><P>The findings showed that the rich and diversely connected networks that support awareness in the healthy brain are typically - but importantly, not always - impaired in patients in a vegetative state. </P><P>Some vegetative patients had well-preserved brain networks that look similar to those of healthy adults. </P><P>"These patients were those who had shown signs of hidden awareness by following commands such as imagining playing tennis," Chennu noted. </P><P>The findings could help researchers develop a relatively simple way of identifying which patients might be aware whilst in a vegetative state. </P><P>"If a patient's 'awareness' networks are intact then we know that they are likely to be aware of what is going on around them," added Tristan Bekinschtein from department of psychology. </P><P>The paper was published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology</EM>. </P><br /><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Hidden-consciousness-found-in-vegetative-patients/articleshow/44851317.cms" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

'Hidden' consciousness found in vegetative patients

A team of researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist Srivas Chennu from University of Cambridge has found hidden signatures of conscious...

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AARP Hearing Resource Center

<img alt="Hearing Resource Center" height="200" src="/620-200-hearing-resource-center-whisperimgcacherev1411567543306web.jpg" title="Hearing Resource Center" width="620"><P>More than two-thirds of people over 50 have some hearing loss — and much of the time it is left untreated. The AARP Hearing Resource Center provides information about this common condition and tools and tips for living well with hearing impairment, plus advice on how to maintain optimal hearing health.</P><img alt="Beat Tinnitus See Ear Doctor for Test" height="90" src="/200-Beat-Tinnitus-See-Ear-Doctor-imgcacherev1410539520037web12090.jpg" title="Beat Tinnitus See Ear Doctor for Test" width="120"><P>Telltale symptoms of this condition — and advice on how to best manage it</P><img alt="Famous Celebrities With Hearing Loss Colbert Berry Lowe" height="90" src="/200-hearing-loss-celebrities-colbert-berry-loweimgcacherev1412197082337web12090.jpg" title="Famous Celebrities With Hearing Loss Colbert Berry Lowe" width="120"><P>You’ll be surprised to learn who’s living with hearing loss — and what likely caused it<BR></P><img alt="Recognize Hearing Loss Quiz" height="90" src="/200-recognize-hearing-quiz-loss-earsimgcacherev1410465634359web12090.jpg" title="Recognize Hearing Loss Quiz" width="120"><P>These quick and easy questions will help you decide if you need to be evaluated by a professional</P><img alt="Hearing Aid Styles Types Pros Cons" height="90" src="/200-HRC-hearing-aid-styles-types-pros-consimgcacherev1412274556692web12090.jpg" title="Hearing Aid Styles Types Pros Cons" width="120"><P>Learn pros and cons of the 7 most common hearing aids to decide which one is right for your condition — and your lifestyle</P><img alt="Hearing Aid Costs Explained" height="90" src="/200-Hearing-Aid-Cost-Explainedimgcacherev1411575717205web12090.jpg" title="Hearing Aid Costs Explained" width="120"><P>Learn what’s behind the big costs of these tiny devices. Must-know information for consumers</P><P>Advice on ways you can get financial help</P><P>10 things to know about purchasing a hearing aid</P><P>Hearing loops have transformed the lives of tens of millions of Americans. Is this the right choice for you?</P><img alt="Surprising Hearing Loss Causes" height="90" src="/200-hearing-loss-causes-surprising-healthimgcacherev1410287801675web12090.jpg" title="Surprising Hearing Loss Causes" width="120"><P>And what you can do to help prevent them</P><P>Having trouble understanding others? One of these meds might be the problem</P><P>Why they occur and what you can do about them</P><P>Enjoy member savings on hearing solutions<BR></P><P>Loss of hearing is a leading cause of isolation. Learn more from AARP Foundation<BR></P><P>Learn proven strategies for staying safer behind the wheel by taking the AARP Smart Driver course</P><img alt="Hearing, Driving" height="90" src="/200-hearing-drivingimgcacherev1375480954850web12090.jpg" title="Hearing, Driving" width="120"><P>Changes in your hearing can affect the way you drive. These tips can help you take control — now</P><P>Here’s how to counter their concerns</P><P><B>We want to hear from you.</B> Let us know if the AARP Hearing Resource Center is helping you or a loved with hearing issues. Email us at hearing@aarp.org.</P><br /><p><a href="http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/hearing-resource-center/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></p>

AARP Hearing Resource Center

More than two-thirds of people over 50 have some hearing loss — and much of the time it is left untreated. The AARP Hearing Resource Center...

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32 Lunge Variations to Keep Things Interesting (and Seriously Intense)

32 Lunge Variations to Keep Things Interesting (and Seriously Intense) There's way more to the lunge than the simple bodyweight version we all know and love (to hate). Add weights, jumping, curtsies, lifts, and more to take your strength workout from basic to BANANAS. <a about="/p/alexandra-duron" class="username" href="about:/p/alexandra-duron" itemprop="url" title="User profile of " typeof="sioc:UserAccount">Alexandra Duron <a href="http://www.twitter.com/alexduron" target="_blank" title="Alexandra Duron on Twitter">@alexduron October 8, 2014 ? ? <img alt="Greatist Lunge Variations" data-feature-image="" height="390" itemprop="image" src="/LungeFeature.png" typeof="foaf:Image" width="752"> 12.4K Pin it Share Nice share! Like us on Facebook while you're at it. Don't have to tell me twice! I'm already a Greatist fan. That's an awesome pin you chose. Find more like it by following us on Pinterest!<a> Follow Greatist on Pinterest Greatist on Pinterest. Greatist on Pinterest. Greatist on Pinterest. Don't have to tell me twice! I already follow Greatist. <br /><P><img alt="Greatist Lunge Variations" src="/lungebannerlist.png" typeof="foaf:Image"> <BR></P><br /><P>If there’s any exercise that could be considered the bread and butter of many a fitness routine, it’s the bodyweight lunge. Basic (in the best way), the lunge is known for helping runners avoid injury when used as a warm-up, strengthening the hammies and quads, improving lower limb function, and even improving running speed [1] [2]. The best part? Because there are many variations, it’s nearly impossible to get bored with them. So say buh-bye to that fitness plateau and get started with this round-up of lunges! </P>? Lunge Variations <img src="/Lunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON disabled class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Bodyweight lunge {{paging}} Bodyweight Lunge <br /><P>This basic movement is the building block for the rest of the exercises on this list—and many workout routines in general. Master it to work your way up to more challenging movements.</P><br /><P>To start, stand with your feet together, shoulders back, and core tight. Lift your right leg off the ground and take a big step forward. Lower your body toward the ground until your right upper thigh is parallel to the floor and your right knee forms about a 90-degree angle. Straighten up by pushing through your right heel to return to stand.</P><img src="/ClockLunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Clock lunge {{paging}} Clock Lunge <br /><P>This three-part move combines the three basic lunges into one. Just perform a forward lunge and return to stand, then a lateral lunge and return to stand, then a reverse lunge and return to stand. Repeat in the opposite direction.</P><img src="/WalkingLunge0.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Walking lunge {{paging}} Walking Lunge <br /><P>Fire up your legs even more with walking lunges (the forward movement makes the glutes, hamstrings, and quads of the leading leg contract maximally, and it’s basically like you’re performing a one-legged squat—just don’t forget your form! Maintain good posture, and be sure your front knee never extends past your front foot.</P><img src="/Lunge1.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Reverse lunge {{paging}} Reverse Lunge <br /><P>Though slightly less challenging to your balance than a forward lunge, the reverse lunge is still worth adding to your routine—especially for anyone new to or struggling with maintaining balance during exercise, dealing with knee trouble, or lacking mobility in the hips. Stand tall, with your feet together and your hands on your hips. Take a big step back with your left foot, landing on the ball of your feet. Lower your body down while bending your right knee until it forms a 90-degree angle.  Reverse the movement to return to stand. Repeat on the other side.</P><img src="/ReverseLungeAndKick0.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Reverse Lunge and Kick {{paging}} Reverse Lunge and Kick <br /><P>Looking for a full-body warm-up? Look no further! Move through the regular reverse lunge, but instead of returning to stand on two legs, kick your back leg out in front of you until you can touch your toes with your opposite hand. Return to stand and repeat on the other side.</P><img src="/LateralLunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Lateral lunge {{paging}} Lateral Lunge <br /><P>Step to the side—literally! Also known as a side lunge, a lateral lunge not only strengthens your lower half, but it also improves flexibility. Start standing, with your feet hip-width apart. Engage your core and take a big step out to the right. Bend your right knee (but take care that it doesn’t extend past your right toes) and sit your hips back, keeping your left leg straight and both feet flat on the floor. Push yourself back up to standing. Repeat on the other side.</P><img src="/Plyo-SideLungeSwitchTouchdown.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Alternating lateral lunge {{paging}} Alternating Lateral Lunge <br /><P>Lower down to a regular lateral lunge on your right leg. Keeping your back straight and chest high, bring your left arm across your body to touch your right toes. Reverse the movement and return to stand. Repeat on the other side.<BR> </P><img src="/CurtsySquat3.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Curtsy lunge {{paging}} Curtsy Lunge <br /><P>Fact: Curtsies don’t just belong in ballet class. To start, stand with your feet hip-width apart. Take a big step back with your right leg, crossing it behind your left leg. Bend both knees and lower your body towards the floor until your front knee forms about a 90-degree angle. Return to start and repeat on the other side.</P><img src="/LateralCurtsy.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Lateral Lunge to Curtsy Lunge {{paging}} Lateral Lunge to Curtsy Lunge <br /><P>Talk about a power couple: a lateral lunge plus a curtsy lunge! String together these two awesome moves, making sure you keep good form, for one killer exercise.</P><img src="/LungeRearLegRaise.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Lunge with Rear Leg Raise {{paging}} Lunge with Rear Leg Raise <br /><P>Lunge ‘n’ lift your way to a stronger lower body. Perform a regular lunge with your right leg forward. As you straighten your right leg, hinge forward at the hips and lift your straightened left leg off the floor behind you until it’s about parallel to the floor. Return to stand, and then repeat on the other side. </P><img src="/LungePulse.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Lunge pulse {{paging}} Lunge Pulse <br /><P>Hold an end of a towel in each hand, pull it tight between your hands, and raise your arms directly overhead. Lower down into a lunge with your right foot in front. Pulse your body up and down about an inch. Return to standing, and then repeat on the left side. </P><img src="/BackToFrontLunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Tick tock lunges {{paging}} Tick Tock Lunge <br /><P>As the name implies, this move involves both lunging to the front and lunging to the back. Perform a reverse lunge with your right leg back behind you. Push off your right foot, and instead of returning to the standing position, immediately take a big step forward into a traditional bodyweight lunge.  Move back and forth until you’re ready to switch to the other leg.</P><img src="/WoodchopLunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Woodchop lunge {{paging}} Woodchop Lunge <br /><P>Turn a regular lunge into a total-body torcher by adding a weighted upper-body movement to the mix. Assume the regular lunge starting stance. Grab a dumbbell in both hands, and hold it above your left shoulder, close to your ear. As you lunge forward with your right leg, pull the weight down diagonally across your body—the weight should end up next to your right hip. Reverse the movement and repeat on the other side.</P><img src="/LungeBicepCurl.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Lunge with biceps curl {{paging}} Lunge with Biceps Curl <br /><P>Work your upper body and lower body simultaneously with this two-in-one move. With a dumbbell in each hand, and lunge forward with your right leg. Once your knee is at about a 90-degree angle, curl the weights, and then lower them back down. Return to standing and repeat on the other side. Talk about a great two-for-one!</P><img src="/dblunge2.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Walking dumbbell lunge {{paging}} Walking Dumbbell Lunge <br /><P>Walk your way to an even fitter, stronger form by holding a weight in each hand as you making your way forward in a walking lunge. (You can also use a barbell for this move. Rest the bar l across your upper back, and then perform walking lunging as usual.)</P><img src="/WalkingWeightedLungeTwist.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Walking lunge with twist {{paging}} Walking Lunge with Twist <br /><P>Grab a medicine ball and hold it in front of your stomach. Step forward with your right leg and lower yourself into a lunge, then twist your torso to the left. Rotate back to center and raise your body back up, moving your left leg forward into a lunge. Twist your torso to the right. Continue alternating.</P><img src="/DBReverseLunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Dumbbell reverse lunge {{paging}} Dumbbell Reverse Lunge <br /><P>Complete the reverse lunge movement outlined above while holding a dumbbell in each hand.</P><img src="/ReverseLungeAndPress.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Reverse lunge and press {{paging}} Reverse Lunge and Press <br /><P>Not only will you challenge your lower half with this move, but you’ll also sculpt some seriously strong shoulders. Start off as you would to perform a regular reverse lunge, but hold a dumbbell in each hand a few inches above your shoulders, palms facing forward. Step back with your left leg, reverse the movement, and instead of returning to stand, draw your left leg up in front of you to hip level. As you do so, press the weights up overhead. Return to standing, and then repeat on the other leg.</P><img src="/LateralDBLunge0.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Dumbbell lateral lunge {{paging}} Dumbbell Lateral Lunge <br /><P>Want to make a lateral lunge even more challenging? Bring on the weights! Grab a dumbbell in each hand and perform the movement, keeping your back straight and leaning your torso forward so that the dumbbells end up at about shin-level.</P><img src="/LateralLungetoCurtsyLungeOverheadPress.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Lateral lunge to curtsy lunge with overhead press {{paging}} Lateral Lunge to Curtsy Lunge with Overhead Press <br /><P>Hold a dumbbell in your right hand. As you lunge to the left, lower your torso forward (keeping your chest high and back straight) until the weight is a few inches above the ground. As you return to stand and move into the curtsy lunge, stepping back with your left leg, press the dumbbell up over your head.</P><img src="/LateralLungeLift.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> One-legged lunge with lift {{paging}} One-Legged Lunge with Lift <br /><P>Amp up regular lateral lunges with this move. Grab a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing toward one another. Perform a lateral lunge on your left leg while leaning your torso slightly forward until the weights are at about knee level. As you straighten your left leg, lift your right leg off the floor and out to the side until it’s almost parallel to the floor. Lower your right leg back to the lateral lunge, then return to standing. Repeat on the other side!</P><img src="/FrontLungePassUnder.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Front lunge pass under {{paging}} Front Lunge Pass Under <br /><P>Baller status! Standing with your feet together, hold a medicine ball in front of your chest. Take a big step forward with your left foot and lower your body into a lunge. Hinge at the waist as you shift the ball into your right hand. Lower it underneath your left thigh to pass it to your left hand. Return to stand, and then repeat on the other side. </P><img src="/ElevatedReverseLunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Elevated reverse lunge {{paging}} Elevated Reverse Lunge <br /><P>Step right up! Stand on a step or a box, place your hands on your hips, and step back with your left leg, lowering your body into a lunge. Push through your right foot and straighten your right leg as you return to the standing position. Repeat on the other side.</P><img src="/DiagonalDBLunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Diagonal dumbbell lunge {{paging}} Diagonal Dumbbell Lunge <br /><P>For improved stability and stronger quads and hamstrings, move at a diagonal. Grab a dumbbell in each hand (you can also do this exercise sans dumbbell!) and stand with your feet hip-width apart. Just like you would with a traditional lunge, take a large step forward with your right leg, but instead of moving in a straight line, step out on a diagonal. Bend both knees until your right knee forms about a 90-degree angle. Return to standing, and then repeat on the other side.</P><img src="/DBLunge0.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Dumbbell raise lunge {{paging}} Lateral Raise Lunge <br /><P>Another shoulder sculptor, this exercise builds upon the basic lunge movement. Grab a dumbbell in each hand, and hold them by your sides, palms facing in toward your body. As you lower your body into a lunge, raise your arms up to the sides (it’ll look like you’re forming a “T” with your upper body!), and then lower them as you return to stand.</P><img src="/ReverseLungeKneeUp.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Reverse lunge knee-up {{paging}} Reverse Lunge Knee-Up <br /><P>Add some more pep to your (lunge) step! Perform the reverse lunge as usual, but instead of simply returning to standing, straighten your front leg to jump up and draw your back leg up in front of you (so your thigh is parallel to the ground), all in one explosive motion. Return to reverse lunge stance and repeat.</P><img src="/SplitJumpLunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Split lunge jump {{paging}} Split Lunge Jump <br /><P>Get your heart racing with this plyometric exercise. Begin in a lunge stance with your left leg forward. Push through both feet and jump up so that your feet come together in the air. Land in a lunge position, this time with your right leg in front. Continue alternating, moving quickly through the exercise.</P><img src="/LungeMountainClimbers0.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Lunge mountain climber {{paging}} Lunge Mountain Climber <br /><P>This exercise is basically a hybrid of lunges and mountain climbers (A.K.A. the move most love to hate). Start off in push-up position. Bend your right knee, and draw your leg forward, placing your right foot next to your right hand—it’s kind of a stretched-out lunge.  Jump both feet up into the air, switching legs so that your left foot lands next to your left hand. Continue alternating, keeping your hips low.</P><img src="/Plyo-SideLungeSwitchTouchdown0.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Plyo side lunge switch with touch-down {{paging}} Plyo Side Lunge Switch with Touch-down <br /><P>Now that it’s football season, it seems only appropriate to include an exercise that involves the word “touchdown”. Disclaimer: This move really has nothing to do with football, but it’s a challenging one nonetheless! Stand with your feet double shoulder-width apart. Lower your body down into a lateral lunge on your left, keeping your chest high as you simultaneously reach your right hand down to the floor in front of you. Push through your left foot to hop back up to the starting wide-stance position, and then repeat the movement on the opposite side. Continue alternating.</P><img src="/DiagonalJumpers.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Diagonal jumpers {{paging}} Diagonal Jumpers <br /><P>While this move may look a little funny, the quick pace will get your heart rate pumping, and the movement itself will yield serious lower body strength. Just like you would with the Split Lunge Jump exercise, you’re going to be moving quickly between right lunges and left lunges. The only difference? You’ll be lunging on a diagonal—a movement that’s guaranteed to keep things interesting.</P><img src="/overheadlunge.png" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Overhead lunge {{paging}} Overhead Lunge <br /><P>To challenge your core and build shoulder strength, add this move to your routine. Grab a dumbbell in each hand, and raise your arms overhead so that your palms face one another. Now lunge forward with your right leg, and then bring your left leg forward to meet your right. Lunge forward with your left leg, and then bring your right leg forward to meet your left. Continue alternating, keeping the weights up throughout the movement.</P><img src="/burpeelunge.gif" style="WIDTH: 100%"><BUTTON class=prev-slide ng-click="prevSlide()"></BUTTON><BUTTON class=next-slide ng-click="nextSlide()"></BUTTON> Lunge jump burpee {{paging}} Lunge Jump Burpee <br /><P>Lunges and burpees…yep, you read that right. Rev your metabolism and strengthen and condition your entire body with this two-in-one move. Perform a perfect burpee, and once you’ve jumped up to stand, immediately perform a lunge jump on your right, and then a lunge jump on your left. Repeat—if you dare!</P><br /><P></A> </P>

32 Lunge Variations to Keep Things Interesting (and Seriously Intense)

32 Lunge Variations to Keep Things Interesting (and Seriously Intense) There's way more to the lunge than the simple bodyweight version ...

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The Outdated Acne Advice We All Still Believe

a <ARTICLE class="article-main-column main-column" itemtype="http://schema.org/Article" itemscope ng-controller="articleCtrl">Outdated Acne Advice We All Still Believe Is expensive face wash better than drugstore brands? How bad is it to pop a zit, really? We're sorting the solid skin care advice from outdated bunk, so you can finally nail an effective treatment plan. <a about="/p/alexandra-duron" class="username" href="about:/p/alexandra-duron" itemprop="url" title="User profile of " typeof="sioc:UserAccount">Alexandra Duron <a href="http://www.twitter.com/alexduron" target="_blank" title="Alexandra Duron on Twitter">@alexduron October 7, 2014 ? ? <img alt="Acne Myth-Busting" data-feature-image="" height="390" itemprop="image" src="/AcneFeature.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="752"> 309 Pin it Share Nice share! Like us on Facebook while you're at it. Don't have to tell me twice! I'm already a Greatist fan. That's an awesome pin you chose. Find more like it by following us on Pinterest!<a> Follow Greatist on Pinterest Greatist on Pinterest. Greatist on Pinterest. Greatist on Pinterest. Don't have to tell me twice! I already follow Greatist. <br /><P>While we'd all love to wake up with flawless skin, sometimes your pores have other plans. Blame this super common skin saboteur: acne. And you’ve got company in your complexion misery. A whopping 85 percent of all people will experience outbreaks at some point, and it isn’t limited to Beliebers and Pretty Little Liars</EM> fans—adult acne is a very real thing. </P><br /><P>One of the biggest beauty and grooming bummers, it not only messes with your physical appearance, it also impacts your emotional well-being. Research shows that pimples can affect self-esteem and quality of life, and that psychological disorders like depression are more common in those living with acne. To top it off, one study [1] shows that women in particular are more likely to become anxious and depressed because of breakouts. The silver lining? That same study shows that an improvement in skin leads to a better quality of life [1], so nailing an effective treatment plan isn’t vanity, it’s the ultimate in self care.  </P><br /><P>And that’s why we wanted to sort the solid skincare advice from outdated bunk. Check out the most common acne-related fixes below, and discover what’s legit and what’s totally bogus. </P><img alt="Diet Acne Connection" src="/AcneMilkDrinking0.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image"> 1. Old-school wisdom: Your diet causes acne.<br /><P><STRONG>Face facts: </STRONG>This one's a mixed bag. While there isn’t enough research [2] on this particular topic, the acne-and-diet connection has been a consideration since as far back as the late 1800s [2]—and it may be a factor if your complexion is suffering. After all, acne outbreaks have been associated with dairy products, refined sugar, and high glycemic loads [3] (think dangerfoods like white bread and cookies). Research suggests that milk contains hormones that could trigger a bout of blemishes [4], and noshing on high-glycemic foods leads to a spike in blood sugar and insulin levels, which may in turn cause a breakout—especially in people with problem skin to begin with. The good news? Contrary to many a rumor, there’s no clear evidence that your chocolate habit will cause a spotty complexion. (Bring on the cashew bark!) Skincare experts do say the best bet for clearer, more luminous skin, however, is to stick to a healthy diet full of colorful veggies, fruits, and healthy fats, and remember to also drink lots of water.</P>2. Old-school wisdom: Fancy or expensive face washes are most effective. <br /><P><STRONG>Face facts: </STRONG>Skip the hype here. While you get what you pay for when it comes to mattresses, watches, and blenders, that just isn’t the case with face washes. Because they stay on your skin for seconds, experts believe it’s really unnecessary to shell out big bucks on this cleansing cosmetic. Instead, pay more attention to a cleanser’s attributes (i.e. the info that indicates that the cleanser won’t aggravate acne-prone skin) than its price tag. The key terms you should look for: oil-free, non-comedogenic, and mild. You could also select a product that contains acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or, for a natural alternative, tea tree oil. Just keep in mind that cleansers containing meds may irritate your skin if you’re already using a blemish-banishing medication. As for scrubbing away at your face, it can help slough off dead skin cells, paving the way for clearer pores. Just remember to scrub with care (don’t be overzealous) and be choosy about what product you’re using. Skincare experts recommend opting for a formula with round, non-plastic exfoliating particles and only using the scrub twice a week. </P>3. Old-school wisdom: It’s OK to pop a pimple.<br /><P><img alt="Popping a Pimple" src="/PoppingPimple.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image"> <STRONG>Face facts:</STRONG> Well, yes and no. When a big ol’ zit strikes (and inevitably lingers—right before a hot date, of course), one of the hardest things to do is to avoid messing with it and ultimately popping it. But picking and prodding may just make matters worse by damaging the tissue surrounding the area. It can also lead to a skin infection and scarring, which will greet you in the mirror waaaay longer than today’s red bump. The bottom line: It’s really best to leave your blemishes alone.</P><br /><P>That said, if you just can’t stand the sight of your spots, there is a way to pop a zit to minimize the risk of scarring. First, determine whether the pimple is ready to be popped. (If it’s raised with a white/yellow surface, it’s good to go.) Press a warm compress to the area to soften your skin and bring the gunk closer to the surface. Douse a sewing needle with rubbing alcohol to disinfect it, and then gently poke the surface of the zit. Wrap two tissues around your index fingers—this helps avoid the spread of bacteria—and gently squeeze from the sides of the blemish. If you start to see blood or clear fluid coming out of the incision, stop! One thing to note: If your pimple is deep and painful, don’t touch it. See a dermatologist to bring out the heavy artillery (prescriptions or other plans of attack like cortisone shots).</P>4. Old-school wisdom: Touching your face causes acne.<br /><P><STRONG>Face facts: </STRONG>Yup, there's truth in the look-but-don't-touch approach to skincare. Dermatologists and skincare professionals far and wide agree: Touching your face can lead to breakouts—even if your hands are clean. Basically, every time you touch your face, you’re introducing whatever germs you’ve come in contact with directly onto your skin. Break the habit for a clearer, smoother complexion. </P><img alt="Birth Control for Acne" src="/BirthControl0.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image"> 5. Old-school wisdom: For women, birth control is an acne remedy.<br /><P><STRONG>Face facts: </STRONG>This advice holds up even more in light of recent research. Yes, that little pill many ladies take every day actually does more than prevent pregnancy—it could give a clearer complexion [5]. Women with hormonal acne (who tend to break out around their period), sometimes find birth control pills an effective treatment. The hormones in some of these pills can actually slow sebum production (a.k.a. facial oil), and when there’s less oil, there’s less of a chance of clogged pores. Some research suggests that the pill could do a better job of suppressing pimple production long-term compared to antibiotics [6]. Although birth control pills aren’t designed to treat acne in particular, the FDA has approved three types of pills for that specific purpose: Ostrostep, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and Yaz. That said, it’s important to note that every woman may react to the pill in a different way and to also keep in mind that it can sometimes take weeks or months to see positive results.</P>6. Old-school wisdom: Destress to stop acne flare-ups. <br /><P><STRONG>Face facts: </STRONG>This advice is solid and stands the test of time: As if it weren’t bad enough on its own, stress actually can lead to breakouts, too. Stress elicits an inflammatory response that can make the walls of your clogged pores break and the area redden and fill with pus. (Gross, we know.) Times like these can also boost androgen (a hormone) production in the body, which can lead to a less-than-stellar complexion. While it’s definitely difficult to keep calm, try any of these 23 strategies to decrease stress—and improve your complexion—every single day. </P>7. Old-school wisdom: You can treat acne with oral antibiotics.<br /><P><img alt="Acne Antibiotics " src="/Antibiotics.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image"> <STRONG>Face facts: </STRONG>Yes, but… like we mentioned above, taking antibiotics will indeed help to banish breakouts. Still, it’s not a magic pill. There are many caveats: First of all, research suggests [7] that it’s only effective in about half the people who try it, and its benefits may only be moderate. Plus popping these pills is generally intended for those with mild to severe acne, and the treatment period can be pretty lengthy (three to six months of regular pill use followed by a topical treatment, like a retinoid, for three to 12 months—or sometimes even longer). Taking antibiotics may also make acne bacteria (and other kinds, for that matter) resistant to the medication, which would stall your quest for clear skin. To top it off, researchers suggest that going antibiotic-happy may kill off certain bacteria that live in the gut, possibly leading to food allergies, celiac disease, and other pretty scary disorders. So, as with all meds, downing antibiotics in the hopes for better skin comes with its fair share of possible drawbacks. </P>8. Old-school wisdom: You can “dry out” acne by sunbathing.<br /><P><STRONG>Face facts: </STRONG>Simply put, this is 100 percent wrong. A sun-kissed glow might mask the problem by making zits less evident—but it’s by no means an acne treatment. In fact, it may actually mess with your skin by making it produce more oil. Plus, soaking up those rays is bad for your overall well-being (ahem,</EM> skin cancer) and appearance (s’up, wrinkles, freckles, and discoloration), and it can be especially problematic if you’re using acne medications. These meds can boost your odds of burning and your chances of getting all the no-fun cosmetic and health issues previously listed. So laying out in the hopes of zapping some zits really isn’t the best course of action. </P></A>

The Outdated Acne Advice We All Still Believe

a Outdated Acne Advice We All Still Believe Is expensive face wash better than drugstore brands? How bad is it to pop a zit, really? We'...

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Never Lie Awake in Bed Again—Seriously

Solutions for When You Can't Sleep For all those seasoned insomniacs out there—and for anyone who occasionally can’t fall or stay asleep—we’ve rounded up the very best short- and long- term strategies for getting a good night’s rest. <a about="/p/laura-newcomer" class="username" href="about:/p/laura-newcomer" itemprop="url" title="User profile of " typeof="sioc:UserAccount"><img alt="Laura Newcomer" itemprop="image" src="/LauraNewcomerA800x800.png"> Laura Newcomer <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lauranewc" target="_blank" title="Laura Newcomer on Twitter">@lauranewc October 2, 2014 ? ? <img alt="32 Simples Solutions for When You Can't Sleep" data-feature-image="" height="390" itemprop="image" src="/Sleep-Solutions-Feature.png" typeof="foaf:Image" width="752"> 15.6K Pin it Share Nice share! Like us on Facebook while you're at it. Don't have to tell me twice! I'm already a Greatist fan. That's an awesome pin you chose. Find more like it by following us on Pinterest!<a> Follow Greatist on Pinterest Greatist on Pinterest. Greatist on Pinterest. Greatist on Pinterest. Don't have to tell me twice! I already follow Greatist. <br /><P><img alt="32 Simples Solutions for When You Can't Sleep" src="/32SleepSolutionsReverieBanner.png" typeof="foaf:Image"> </P><br /><P>It’s oh, I don’t know, 3 o’clock in the freaking morning</EM>, and I’m lying in bed, staring at the ceiling and wanting to cry with frustration. I'm trying to stay hopeful about my ability to catch a few hours of shuteye before work the next morning, but I’ve been up until 6 a.m. (not by choice) enough times in my life to know the beast of insomnia can’t always be tamed.</P><br /><P>I'm certainly not alone. Insomnia is incredibly common in the U.S., with 30 to 40 percent of American adults experiencing some symptoms of insomnia each year [1]. So for all those seasoned insomniacs out there—and for anyone who occasionally can’t fall or stay asleep—we’ve rounded up some short- and long- term strategies for getting a good night’s rest. And if you’re reading this at 3 a.m. because your mind won’t stop running, don’t worry; we have tips for what you can do right now to improve the chances of getting (at least some) sleep.</P>Sleep Gap—The Need-to-Know<br /><P>Insomnia is defined as the inability to fall asleep, remain asleep, or get the amount of sleep an individual needs to wake up feeling rested. Its symptoms include difficulty falling asleep, frequent wake-ups during the night, waking up too early in the morning, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Insomnia can be acute (lasting one to several nights) or chronic (lasting from a month to years). It’s also the most common sleep complaint among Americans (especially women) [1].</P><br /><P>Trouble sleeping is often a symptom of another disease or condition, such as depression, chronic pain, medications, or stress, which might explain why it’s so common [2] [3] [4]. Most often, insomnia stems from a combination of factors, including medical and psychological issues, scheduling issues, relationships conflicts, and behavioral factors (poor bedtime routines, physical hyperactivity, watching TV right before bed, etc.) [1].</P>Beyond Counting Sheep—Your Action Plan<br /><P><img alt="32 Solutions for When You Can't Sleep" src="/3220Solutions20For20Sleep-01.png" typeof="foaf:Image"> </P><br /><P><STRONG>1. Keep track</STRONG>. Record how much and when you sleep, fatigue levels throughout the day, and any other symptoms. This serves two purposes: It can identify activities that help or hurt the chances of a good night’s rest, and it’s a useful tool for a doctor or therapist, should you decide to see one. Digital programs like Zeo, YawnLog, and a variety of apps can all make snooze-tracking easier.</P><br /><P><STRONG>2. Try therapy</STRONG>. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia is a pretty common technique. Also called CBT-I, the therapy typically involves self-monitoring, mental strategies (like developing positive thoughts about sleep), and creating an environment that promotes sleep—and it’s been shown to improve sleep quality [5]. Learn these strategies with the help of a therapist or with online guidance or books—both are equally effective ways of implementing CBT-I [6]. Not into seeing a therapist? Check out Sleepio, a digital program that helps users learn about and implement CBT practices from the comfort of their own homes.</P><br /><P><STRONG>3. Establish a regular bedtime routine</STRONG>. Find activities that help you wind down before bed, and stick to the same sleep-wake schedule, even on weekends.</P><br /><P><STRONG>4. Use the bed appropriately</STRONG>. Beds should be reserved for sleep and sex—and nothing else. Bringing work into the bedroom is a sure-fire way to discourage sleep quality.</P><br /><P><STRONG>5. Choose the right mattress.</STRONG> Uncomfortable bedding has been linked to poorer sleep quality, while a comfortable mattress can up the chances of a satisfying snooze [7] [8].</P><br /><P><STRONG>6. Don’t smoke</STRONG>. Need another reason to quit? Smokers commonly exhibit symptoms of insomnia—possibly because their bodies go into nicotine withdrawal during the night [9].</P><br /><P><STRONG>7. See a doctor</STRONG>. If you’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked, it might be time to consult a professional. A doctor can help rule out any sleep disorders and identify lifestyle factors or medications that might be getting in the way of a good night’s rest.</P><br /><P><img alt="32 Solutions for When You Can't Sleep" src="/3220Solutions20For20Sleep-02.png" typeof="foaf:Image"> </P><br /><P><STRONG>8. Exercise early in the day</STRONG>. Studies find moderate aerobic activity can improve insomniacs’ sleep quality. For best results, exercise at least three hours before bedtime so the body has sufficient time to wind down before hitting the sack.</P><br /><P><STRONG>9. Schedule “worry time” during the day</STRONG>. Spend 15 minutes addressing problems (journaling is a good way to start) so they don’t sneak up when your head hits the pillow. If a particular event or stressor is keeping you up at night—and it has a clear end date—the problem may resolve itself naturally.</P><br /><P><STRONG>10. Limit caffeine</STRONG>. It’s tempting to reach for coffee when we’re tired after a poor night’s sleep, but drinking caffeine can make it harder for us to fall asleep at night, creating a vicious cycle [10]. Can’t quit cold turkey? Try limiting caffeine intake to earlier in the day so it’s out of your system by bedtime.</P><br /><P><STRONG>11. Nap the right way</STRONG>. Just 10 to 20 minutes of napping during the day can help us feel rested (and improve our creativity and memory, to boot!) [11] [12] [13]. But try to avoid napping after 3:00 or 4:00pm, as this can make it harder to fall asleep at bedtime [14].</P><br /><P><STRONG>12. Get outside</STRONG>. Increasing natural light exposure during the day promotes healthy melatonin balance, which can help us get to sleep later in the day.</P><br /><P><STRONG>13. Eat for sleep</STRONG>. Eat foods high in magnesium, like halibut, almonds, cashews, and spinach, and foods high in vitamin B complex, like leafy green vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Some experts also recommend taking supplements of taurine, vitamin B6, and magnesium. </P><br /><P><img alt="32 Solutions for When You Can't Sleep" src="/3220Solutions20For20Sleep-03.png" typeof="foaf:Image"> </P><br /><P><STRONG>14. Try relaxation techniques</STRONG>. In one study, people who practiced meditation saw improvements in total sleep time and sleep quality. Other relaxation strategies—like yoga, deep breathing, and progressive relaxation—are also effective tools for promoting good sleep.</P><br /><P><STRONG>15. Avoid large meals late in the evening</STRONG>. Jumbo meals pre-bedtime have been linked to trouble falling asleep [1].</P><br /><P><STRONG>16. Dim the lights two hours before bed</STRONG>. According to one study, exposure to electrical lights between dusk and bedtime might negatively affect our chances at quality sleep. Assuming you don’t want to sit in the dark for hours, find the happy medium by dimming the lights as bedtime draws near. Also consider changing all light bulbs to “soft/warm” varieties with a color temperature less than 3,000 kelvins, all of which can reduce lights’ effects on our nervous systems.</P><br /><P><STRONG>17. Turn off the screens</STRONG>. The artificial (or “blue”) light emitted by screens can disrupt our bodies’ preparations for sleep by stimulating daytime hormones [15]. Reduce exposure by turning off TVs, phones, and computers at least one hour before bedtime. Can’t give up the Daily Show</EM>? At least dim a screen’s brightness, either manually or with the help of automated programs.</P><br /><P><STRONG>18. Don’t drink alcohol right before bed</STRONG>. Booze might seem like an obvious choice for calming down pre-bedtime, but it can actually disrupt sleep cycles later in the night. You don’t have to give up the good stuff completely; just drink it with dinner (around 6 o’clock) and skip the nightcap.</P><br /><P><STRONG>19. Don’t use your brain before bed</STRONG>. Don’t work, watch stimulating TV shows, read complex material, or think too hard—about anything—before bedtime; working out the brain keeps the body awake.</P><br /><P><STRONG>20. Have sex or masturbate before bed</STRONG>. Hey, anything for a good night’s rest. Getting our “O” face on pre-bedtime can help us fall asleep.</P><br /><P><STRONG>21. Keep it (dark and) cool</STRONG>. A dark, cool bedroom environment helps promote restful sleep. Program the thermostat so the bedroom’s temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (experiment to find what works best for you), and use heavy curtains, blackout shades, or an eye mask to block lights. Also be sure to charge phones and laptops outside the bedroom—even this tiny bit of light can disrupt sleep. If you live in a studio or can’t get away from blue lights for any reason, consider making a (very small) investment in blue light blocking glasses.</P><br /><P><STRONG>22. Consider natural supplements</STRONG>. Valerian and melatonin are two of the most highly recommended supplements (though their efficacy is still under review) [16] [17]. Some other sleep aids can be effective, too.</P><br /><P><img alt="32 Solutions for When You Can't Sleep" src="/3220Solutions20For20Sleep-04.png" typeof="foaf:Image"> </P><br /><P><STRONG>23. Don’t try to sleep unless you’re sleepy</STRONG>. Yes, it sucks when it’s 2 a.m. and you still don’t feel tired, despite knowing you need rest. But climbing into bed when you don’t feel ready for sleep is setting yourself up for failure. Instead, engage in relaxing activities (like gentle yoga and meditation or listening to soothing music) until you get the strong urge to snooze. If sleep hasn’t come within 20 minutes, get back out of bed and try relaxing activities again until you’re sleepy enough to give it another go.</P><br /><P><STRONG>24. Minimize disturbing noises</STRONG>. If external noises are beyond your control (a busy street outside the window, a neighbor’s barking dog), cover them up with the sound of a bedside fan, a white noise machine, or other sounds that help us sleep.</P><br /><P><STRONG>25. Vent stresses</STRONG>. If designated worry time earlier in the day didn’t fully do the trick, spend some extra time writing down anxieties. Loose-leaf paper works, but if you scrawl your sorrows in a journal or notebook, you can literally</EM> close the book on your worries (at least until morning).</P><br /><P><STRONG>26. Brew some chamomile tea</STRONG>. Studies find the humble herb can reduce anxieties, getting us into a better head space for sleep.</P><br /><P><STRONG>27. Try a hot bath or shower</STRONG>. Stepping from warm water into that pre-cooled bedroom will cause body temperatures to drop slightly, which can trigger sleepy feelings by slowing down metabolic activity.</P><br /><P><STRONG>28. Sip some hot milk</STRONG>. Science doesn’t necessarily back the idea that milk facilitates snoozing, but conventional wisdom might be strong enough that our minds still believe moo milk lulls us to sleep.</P><br /><P><STRONG>29. Do some leg exercises</STRONG>. We know; we told you not to exercise before bed. But apparently some easy leg lifts, squats, or your leg exercise of choice can help divert blood flow to the legs and away from the brain. This can help quiet the mind, making it easier to slip into dreamland.</P><br /><P><STRONG>30. Seriously: Count some sheep.</STRONG> It might not work for everybody, but focusing on one thing can help the brain settle down, making sleep more possible. Not a fan of our wooly friends? Focusing on your breath (in, out, in, out) is also an effective way to chill out. Or bust out some of those relaxation techniques you practiced earlier in the evening—they're just as good of a resource in the wee hours.</P><br /><P><STRONG>31. Visualize yourself asleep</STRONG>. Imagine yourself drifting in a blissful slumber while practicing deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation [18]. Starting at one end of the body and working up or down, clench and then release each section of muscles for instant all-over relaxation.</P><br /><P><STRONG>32. Accept insomnia for what it is</STRONG>. Judgments (“I should be asleep”), comparisons (“my BF/GF/roommate is sleeping; why can’t I?”), and catastrophic thinking (“If I don’t get eight hours’ sleep tonight, I’ll mess up that presentation tomorrow, lose my job, and die tired and alone”) don’t do us any good. Make the night easier by accepting it for what it is, letting go of judgments, and being gentle with yourself. The silver lining? You just might get to see a glorious sunrise.</A></P>

Never Lie Awake in Bed Again—Seriously

Solutions for When You Can't Sleep For all those seasoned insomniacs out there—and for anyone who occasionally can’t fall or stay asleep...

Read more »