How to beat insomnia

Insomnia

Although it's by far not sufficient but very basic remedy to maximize sleep benefits, try to exercise vigorously for 30 minutes on most days—but not too close to bedtime. Watch what you eat and drink. Caffeine can cause sleep problems 10 to 12 hours after drinking it, and your diet can also play a role in how well you sleep.

Before thinking about disturbed sleep, it’s important to understand what normal sleep really is.

Normal slumber involves falling asleep relatively easily once you’re in bed, Silberman said. “People have a range of how quickly they go to sleep,” she said, but typically they can drift off to sleep anywhere from a few minutes to 15 minutes. Having said that, there is a more efficient way to start sleeping better that does not require artificial drugs. Imagine if you had to swallow drugs daily what devastating effects may that cause to your health in the long run ?



5 Steps to Start Sleeping Better naturally!


1. Change Your Diet

Step number one in overcoming sleep deprivation is to change your diet; surprisingly for a lot of people, their diets are keeping them from falling asleep. Before you go to bed, you need to really drop your carbohydrate consumption. If you’re consuming too many sugars and carbs, your body is burning through those and getting warm, which prevents you from comfortably going to to sleep. That means you must lower your sugar, grain and overall carbohydrate intake before bed.

For long-lasting insomnia cures, it’s also key to get some healthy fats in your system to help you fall asleep soon after your head hits the pillow. For example, both benefit-rich avocado and organic yogurt (without sugar) can work extremely well here, as those foods are high in magnesium and potassium. Many people aren’t aware that they suffer from low potassium or have signs of a magnesium deficiency, as both are crucial nutrients you need to help relax the body and help you fall asleep at night.

2. Reduce Stress

Life of Walt Disney
Reading a simple book helps to distract
The second step you need to do to overcome insomnia is to naturally reduce anxiety and stress. For most people, along with diet, this is a major culprit for keeping you up at night — your mind starts
racing with ceaseless thinking and you’re seemingly unable to shut your brain off.

There are several reasons for that. Perhaps you watched TV and that visual stimulus, especially the blue light, up until the point that you went to bed. This doesn’t just include the TV screen; it also includes your computer, your iPad or your smartphone, which too often reside next to people’s beds. That blue light actually tells your pineal gland in your brain that it needs to keep running, so it messes with your circadian rhythms and cortisol levels and keeps you from falling asleep at night when you were looking at that bright blue light in the computer screens and TV screens.

Therefore, I recommend that for about 30 minutes at least, ideally an hour, before bed, you need to shut off all electronics, and you need to start reading something that helps you relax or start journaling. The simplest step can be reading a novel, a devotional, your Bible, or just something that helps you relax and wind down at least 30 minutes before bed.

Healing Crystals Insomnia Jewelry
For journaling, you can get out a notebook and start writing things down; you can even look at your schedule for the next day and write that down. If you have something that’s really stressing you out and keeping you from sleeping at night, I recommend you start writing down those things that stress you out. Work on addressing those the best you can, and then start scheduling things into the week that you love to do. It is so important.

If you’ve had a great day and been happy all day, it actually creates certain hormones in your body known as endorphins that help you fall asleep at night. Exercise is one of the most natural ways to create endorphins, so consider exercise my Rx for a good night’s sleep, especially for children and teenagers who have trouble sleeping. Add it to your growing list of insomnia cures.

3. Take Quality Supplements

Step number three is to take quality supplements, especially a magnesium supplement, to cure insomnia without drugs. Taking a magnesium supplement, about 400 to 500 milligrams a night before bed, can help you naturally reduce stress and really improve sleep. I recommend a high-quality magnesium chelate or magnesium citrate before bed.

In addition, supplements like melatonin can help, or valerian root, but I don’t recommend doing those on a long-term basis. Now, if you have jet lag, or you’re not able to sleep just for a day or two, taking melatonin on occasion, about three grams, is fine. But you just want to do a small amount of melatonin on occasion, not on a regular basis, for it can be habit-forming.

4. Use Essential Oils

Lavender Oil
Lavender Essential Oil - Made in the U.S.A.
The next step to truly help you improve your sleep is using essential oils, especially lavender essential oil and chamomile essential oil. Chamomile, whether in tea, tincture or essential oil form, is
one of the best medicinal herbs for fighting stress and promoting relaxation, according to research from Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine and Pharmacognosy Review. Inhaling chamomile vapors is often recommended as a natural remedy for anxiety and general depression, which is one reason why chamomile oil is a popular ingredient in many candles, aromatherapy products and bath-soaking treatments. One lavander oil that I use is the lavender essential oil that is made in America. You can find some customer reviews on amazon here.

With lavender oil, you can diffuse that by your bed at night or just take a few drops of lavender oil and rub it on your neck. The benefits of lavender oil include having certain aromatic compounds that help relax your body. Also, you can take a warm bath with lavender oil and Epsom salts, which work because they have magnesium.

If you’re going to go to bed at 10 p.m. or 10:30 p.m., do a detox bath by starting the process at around 9 p.m. Take about 20 drops of lavender oil, rub it all on your body and get into a warm/hot bath with Epsom salts, and relax there for about 20 to 30 minutes. When you get out, go and read a book for 30 minutes in bed and then fall asleep there at night.

5. Change Your Lifestyle

Last but not least, you probably need to change your lifestyle in order to find more insomnia cures. For example, I recommend a few things to do around your home to help improve your sleep. Get the temperature in your house cold, definitely below 70 degrees — oftentimes, upper 60s to mid-60s for some people is necessary. In the winter, make sure the heat source has been turned down. A nice and cold house will help improve your sleep.

Another thing you want to do is make sure your bed is comfortable. If there is a big dip in your bed, it’s time to pick a healthier bed. Also, make sure it’s dark in your room, as getting some dark curtains can help you fall asleep at night as well.




Top Foods for Insomnia

Foods high in tryptophan —This amino acid stimulates the production of serotonin, which helps with relaxation. Include turkey, chicken or tuna for dinner.
Complex carbohydrates — Carbohydrates also help with the production of serotonin, so try to include butternut squash or sweet potatoes into your dinner.
Raw Milk — Although dairy can be problematic for some, a glass of raw milk before bed does help with sleep. A2 dairy is recommended from goat’s, sheep, or A2 cows.
Foods high in magnesium — Magnesium is known as the “relaxation” mineral. Include green leafy vegetables, sesame and sunflower seeds, and oats into your diet.
B-vitamins — Organic meat, brewer’s yeast, liver and green leafy vegetables are high in B-vitamins. Consume foods high in vitamin B12 as your best sources.


Foods to Avoid

Caffeine — Don’t consume caffeine after noon or at all if you are having difficulty sleeping.
Alcohol — Stop drinking alcohol at least 2 hours before bed and drink in moderation.
Any potential food allergens — Food allergies can cause insomnia.
Sugar — Variations in blood sugar can cause insomnia.
High fat foods — Fat slows down digestion and may lead to indigestion at night. Limit fried foods before bedtime.


Melatonin

Top 5 Insomnia Natural Remedies

#1 Melatonin (1-3 mg half hour before bed)
Helps promote sleep, best used for a short period of time.

#2 Passionflower (500 mg before bed)
Helps relax the nervous system and doesn’t cause drowsiness.

#3 Valerian (600 mg before bed)
Is effective for insomnia, but may be a stimulant for some.

#4 Calcium and magnesium (500 mg calcium/250 mg magnesium)
These minerals work together for relaxation.

#5 Vitamin B12 (1500 mcg daily)
Vitamin B12 supports cellular function and a deficiency can cause insomnia.





Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas Gifts



Christmas is Christmas and every year we celebrate Christmas with lot's of new gifts beside traditional Christmas items. This is the season to radiate love and show appreciation to those who made us or shaped our lives and businesses. Just recently, I was pondering on the best Christmas gifts to buy in order to show appreciation to my business associates and allies. After critically carrying out some research, I was able to come up with a list of special gifts ideas for Christmas, so I decided to share it with you.


Calendars
When giving a business executive a calendar, don’t make the mistake of giving a low quality calendar because it might end up in the waste bin. You can give a customized calendar branded with your company logo or better still, you can send in an electronic calendar engraved with an art work.

Gift certificates for restaurants

Is there an exclusive high class restaurant in town where the big boys of the society hang out? If yes, then you may consider giving a gift certificate for redeemable at such restaurants.

Gift basket

Gift basket is another good option you may consider because the size of the basket and the type of items in it can catch the attention of your recipient. You may choose to send a chocolate gift basket, gourmet gift basket, wine gift basket, etc.

Lip balms

Lip Balms includes such luxurious natural flavors as Vanilla Bean, Pink Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Wild Cherry and Coconut and Pear, providing naturally rich sources of antioxidants, Vitamin E, Omega oils and more. This might be something that people love to receive during cold winters.

Flowers


Another favorite corporate Christmas gift is a bunch of flowers. But before you send flowers to a business executive or anyone, you must make sure you understand the person’s beliefs because flowers mean different things in different cultural environment.






Wine or liquor


Christmas is a season of celebration and most business people drink wines during happy occasions. Therefore, a bottle of wine printed with company’s logo can serve as a corporate Christmas gift but you should ensure the wine you send is of good quality. Or better still, you can spare a few minutes to find out the favorite brand of your recipient.


Some Christmas Gifts Ideas for Business Executives


There are endless corporate gift items you can choose from, just make sure they are made of the finest materials that will last for a lifetime. Most of these items can be found on Amazon by clicking on the links. 






Important Things You Need to Know Before Buying JR Pass


Shinkanzen



1. What is the Japan Rail Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass (also known as the JR Pass) is a flat-fee pass that allows you to ride any train in the JR networkat any time without having to pay for tickets. It’s ideal for long-distance travel and is a great value.

Get this: Even Japanese citizens don’t get the same discounts on train travel that foreigners do on the Japan Rail Pass!

2. Conditions/Eligibility for using the JR Pass

Who can use the JR Pass?
JR Pass
Bookmark Japan Rail Pass Website

The JR Pass is available only for tourists visiting Japan on visits shorter than 90 days, and for Japanese citizens who are living abroad permanently.

Who can’t purchase a JR Pass?

If you are a foreigner but live and work in Japan, we’re sorry to say you are not eligible for a JR Pass.

Similarly, if you are a foreigner visiting Japan for non-tourist purposes, such as for research, for the military, for a work trip, etc., then you’re not eligible for a JR Pass.




3. Japan Rail Pass types and prices

Adult JR Passes

There are three different durations of the Japan Rail Pass. They are available for travel on consecutive days, for one, two or three weeks.


Here are how the prices break down for one adult (12 years of age or older) pass:

1 week (7 consecutive days) JR Pass: US$277
2 week (14 consecutive days) JR Pass: US$442
3 week (21 consecutive days) JR Pass: US$566


Children JR Passes


Japan Railways offers discounted passes for children from 6 to 11 years old.

The validity duration is the same as the adult pass, and prices break down as follows:

1 week (7 consecutive days) Child JR Pass: US$138
2 week (14 consecutive days) Child JR Pass: US$220
3 week (21 consecutive days) Child JR Pass: US$282


Japan Rail Green Passes


Japan Railways also offers a first-class Japan Rail Pass option for both children and adults, which is called the JR Green Pass.

The Green Pass allows you to sit in the first-class “Green Car” on all Shinkansen (bullet trains) and other applicable fast lines. The Green Car offers more legroom, comfortable seats, a hot towel, and on some lines, free beverages.

If you are traveling during the peak tourist months of May, August and September, we recommend getting a Green Pass, as the Green Cars are much less crowded.

Where to Purchase the Japan Rail Pass?

There’s a catch to purchasing the JR Pass: you MUST buy it outside of Japan (except at a few locations that are offering them on a trial basis in 2016; more info on this below).

The most convenient place to purchase a Japan Rail Pass is in your own home, online, at the click of a button.

Japan Rail Pass


In Japan

Starting in 2016, Japan Railways is making the purchase of JR Passes available at these three airports in Japan on a trial basis: Narita Airport, Haneda Airport and Kansai Airport.

But the most convenient way to buy a Japan Rail Pass is to do it from abroad, before arrival on Japan territory.


Outside of Japan

If you don’t want to purchase your JR Pass online, you can also purchase it at some agency offices in your home country, please check the links below:

4. Validity of the Japan Rail Pass

The validity of the Japan Rail Pass is counted by calendar days, rather than by the hour.

So, if you start a 7-day pass at 5 p.m., it will expire at midnight of the seventh day, rather than at 5 p.m. on the eighth day.
For which transport can you use your Japan Rail Pass?

The JR Pass is good for travel on the following trains and transport:

All JR trains nationwide, including the Shinkansen, express, limited express, local and rapid trains.
All local JR buses, but not highway buses
A select number of non-JR train lines in remote areas that connect to isolated JR stations. These include certain sections of the Aomori Railway, the Ishikawa Railway and the Ainokaze Toyama 

Railway.

The JR Railway Ferry to Miyajima (return trip valid)
The Monorail from Haneda Airport to Tokyo (return trip valid)


Invalid routes

The JR Pass is not good for travel on the following trains and transports:
JR trains that use tracks owned by other private companies. There are only about a dozen of these.
The Nozomi Shinkansen along the Tokaido/Sanyo line and the Mizuho Shinkansen along the Sanyo/Kyushu line. These are the fastest Shinkansen trains on these lines, but other valid Shinkansens run these routes and are only slightly slower.
Suburban “liner trains,” which require “liner” tickets. But foreign tourists are unlikely to use these, as they exclusively service suburban areas.
Berths on night trains and other special compartments.


5. How To Use the JR Pass?

When you purchase your pass, you will be given a voucher that must be exchanged at major JR train stations in Japan for an actual pass.

For example, you can exchange your voucher for the pass at the JR stations at Narita or Kansai International Airport. The voucher must be exchanged for a pass within three months of the purchase date.

To exchange your voucher, you’ll have to show your passport, fill out a form, and choose your pass start date. Remember, your pass is only good for consecutive days from the start date.

You can reserve seats with your Japan Rail Pass for free at any JR ticketing office in Japan. Seat reservations are purely optional, but they can be nice to have if you’re planning on traveling during a busy season.

When it’s time for your train journey, be mindful that you cannot use the automated ticket gates. To reach your platform, you will have to present your Japan Rail Pass to the ticketing officer manning the non-automatic gate.

Here is an amateur video showing how to use your JR Pass.




6. What Are the Benefits of the Japan Rail Pass?

Aside from its cost-effectiveness, convenience and wide access to Japan’s best cities and attractions, the Japan Rail Pass offers a few more benefits:

You can make seat reservations for free
It’s good for most Shinkansen (bullet train) rides, saving you valuable travel time
Train travel is an excellent way to see vast areas of the country
You can ride in luxury if you opt for the JR Green Pass.


7. Regional Train Passes in Japan


If your travels are limited to a specific region of Japan, JR also offers region-specific passes: JR East Pass, JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, JR Kansai Area Pass, JR Kyushu Rail Pass and JR Sanyo Area Pass.

To purchase JR pass -->; click here
To purchase JR Subway pass --> click here




The best hair dryers out there



Hair dryers are like good bottles of red wine! Some cost $15, some cost $500, and it's often unclear whether or not you're truly getting what you pay for. Most of time we look for good deals and lets say value for money. However, good quality and long lasting hard dryers better than cheap and short lived ones. Price does not tell you everything, in some cases cheap hair dryers might be better than expensive ones as consumer often pay for brands. Some hair dryers can leave your hair damaged and frizzy not exactly what you set out to achieve when doing your blowout. And that's where this list of the best hair dryers comes in. Often people say this their hair dryer is the best but as a matter of fact, not every hair dryer suits specific type of hairs. We scoured the best hair dryer reviews to see which ones left our readers with shiny hair, cut down on drying time and tamed frizzy hair.




The Conair Ionic Turbo Styler
The Conair Ionic Turbo Styler

Why it's great: The Conair Ionic Turbo Styler is a thrifty find that readers love for its quick-drying action and gorgeous effect on hair. "I absolutely love this hair dryer!" gushes one fan. "This product dries your hair very quickly, leaving it shiny and healthy-looking." Other users adore how the tool is dependable and user-friendly. "I needed an update on my blow-dryer," says one reviewer. "Wow, was I impressed at what this one can do. I can dry and style in half the time and the cool shot function sets the style. Fast and easy to handle." 

The Conair Turbo Styler delivers your favorite hair style, with a chrome barrel and a black sparkly finish it=E2=80=99s sure to turn some heads. Conair's ionic conditioning minimizes static electricity in your hair, making it silky and shiny without overheating it. This dryer is run by DC motor complete with 3 heat and 2 speed settings, which guarantees speedy and custom styling. The cool shot button allows you to lock in your style while the concentrator is for pin-point styling.







Conair Ionic Cord Keeper Styler
Conair Ionic Cord Keeper Styler

Why it's great: Readers rate this Conair dryer highly for its fast action, portable size and convenient, retractable cord. "I love the attachments and the cord keeper," one reader explains. She also loves that her hair "doesn't frizz with this dryer." Similarly, another reader reports, "This dryer dries hair quickly when you are in a hurry, and is convenient to travel with! Packs nicely in suitcase." 


It's a simple and compact hair styler. Definitely not to underestimate and real value for money. Conair's Ionic Cord Keeper Dryer has 1,875 watts of ionic conditioning to promote healthier, shinier hair. The dryer has a cool shot button, 3 heat settings and 2 speed settings to make it easier to work with any type of hair.










Conair Ion Shine

Why it's great: If you have fine or thin strands, readers say you'll love this hair dryer. "I have very
The Ultimate Conair Ion Shine
fine hair, but when I use this dryer, my hair seems to look thicker, and I'm able to style it with very little effort," gushes one reader. "The attachments are great, and I am even able to get my hair to lift and look stylish. It's a must for people with thin hair."

Others agree, saying the 2-in-1 hair-dryer really does "give your hair so much volume" and adds some shine to a lackluster mane. "I love that I don't have to juggle a brush and a blow-dryer," says one user. "It only takes me about five minutes to add volume and shine to soaking wet hair with this blow-dryer." The negatives are that the bristles might be a little bit stiff.




Remington T-Studio Professional AC Hair Dryer
Remington T-Studio Pearl Ceramic Pro

Why its great: One satisfied reviewer calls this blow-dryer "the best affordable hair-dryer." Another reviewer loves how this dryer leaves her with shiny hair that has "so much volume."

"The airflow is stable and strong, which allows for faster drying time," explains one reviewer. "I've found that my hair stays straight for longer and is softer and smoother when I use this dryer." Another reviewer reports that this dryer leaves her hair "incredibly soft" and has "cut her drying time to about 10 minutes." Get a smooth salon finish with the Remington T|Studio Pearl Ceramic Professional AC Hair Dryer. Featuring a salon-quality motor boosted by ceramic pearl technology, this powerful dryer works fast and helps seal cuticles to deliver shiny results. Three ceramic heat settings, dual speeds, and an ensemble of included styling tools let you create a variety of professional-looking styles from your own home.







BaByliss PRO Tourmaline 5000 Dryer

Why it's great: Reviewers are head over heels for the fast action and efficiency of the BaByliss Pro
Babyliss Pro Tourmaline Dryer
TT Tourmaline 5000 Dryer. "This hair-dryer is amazing; it takes me 10 minutes to do my hair now," one reviewer exclaims. Users also love that the dryer makes hair appear "healthier and shinier" after use. "It does a fantastic job drying my very thick hair," a Babyliss user says. "And I absolutely love the cool shot. It's worth the cost." Tourmaline Titanium provides exceptional heat conductivity. The ionic generator emits higher concentration of ions, enhancing tourmaline's natural ions, to more effectively eliminate frizz and close hair cuticles. The dynamic combination of tourmaline and titanium allows stylists to achieve professional results on any hair type or texture.

BaBylissPRO is a world leader in hair care and styling tools, known for creating endless possibilities. These professional tools help you get salon-quality results at home.














Harry Josh Pro Dryer

Why it's great: "This dryer was an investment, but it was a good investment," one reviewer says of
Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000
this high-end find. "It uses less energy, it has magnificent power and it cuts down my drying time, which is great for me and the health of my hair. I also love the ion button to keep frizz under control and the cool shot button to finish off the look."

"It was a bit shocking to see the price of this dryer, but I have to tell you that I have been using it for the past few days and it's incredible," another user explains. "I have long, thick brown hair that usually takes 40 minutes to dry. With the Harry Josh dryer, it took no more than 15 minutes." (We even conducted our own in-house test of the hair dryer. This blow dryer is amazing. It has the option to turn on or off the ionic blowing drying componet. When I use blow drying with the ions turned on I notice my hair has less frizz and it blow drys ALOT quicker. I live in hawaii and frizz is common with humidity.