Try and geed enough sleep. Poor sleep patterns over a period of time can lead to many illnesses as well as cause premature aging.

Studies have found a relationship between the quantity and quality of one’s sleep and many health problems. For example, insufficient sleep affects growth hormone secretion that is linked to obesity; as the amount of hormone secretion decreases, the chance for weight gain increases. Blood pressure usually falls during the sleep cycle, however, interrupted sleep can adversely affect this normal decline, leading to hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Research has also shown that insufficient sleep impairs the body’s ability to use insulin, which can lead to the onset of diabetes. More and more scientific studies are showing correlations between poor and insufficient sleep and disease.

Thank you for sharing this information.
I don't sleep well. Don't know what to do about it.

Gisele

one kitty, two kitty, three kitty...


dreams of bones and fields to run in

and here's my favorite, he didn't even take his hat and shoes off!


OK, here's one more, I couldn't resist sharing these happy lazy guys...

This may seem a strange suggestion, but when I can't sleep, I do my "self-hypnosis" work. This involves relaxing the whole body, toes slowly up to top of head, and then 3 times counting backwards, then planting healthy suggestions into my subconscious mind, meanwhile positive suggestions and the like, then finally 3 reverse counts and 'out of trance state.' The reason this might sound strange is this: if I fall asleep in the middle of a self-hypnosis, one would think that that is bad eh? Well, if I'm trying to go to sleep... he he.. so I pit the one against the other--scratch that, sounds negative, let's say... I win either way! he he..

And finally a REAL USE for one of the "posting icons" which... by the way... YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN SLEEPING ON! he he..

Now THIS GUY is quite appropriate for THIS post:



Thanks for this great post dear Inda! Nighty night to all.


Love and light being, Teo

Dear Inda, thank you for this important reminder!
I no doubt do not sleep enough hours, I actually try to resist even if my eyes close ... sometimes my book falls three times on the floor before I "give in". I enjoy the nightly hours when I can BE in silence and on my own ... but I have really overdone it in the last three years, also because I stayed for too long at the computer...
I am out of the house for up to 12-13 hours, so I have little time for myself after work ... but I always try to "put everything in" which sometimes is really too much.
Thanks to God I SLEEP VERY WELL, once I lay myself down. But I know 5 hours are not enough. On Saturday and Sunday morning I add a few hours (but often I also add hours to the night ...). I need to change this state of things. Even if this means to be less around here, but my health is important.
A consequence of not enough sleep, especially during summer when it is hot, is that I am sleepy when I drive through the town towards home and that can really be dangerous.

Your information is precious, dear Inda.
I thought of staying a while longer, but I will decide to sleep an hour longer instead.

Your technique is great, dear Teo. It happens that I fall asleep when meditating or during the "protocol" for SHY (Spiritual Human Yoga). But this does not worry me too much, even though the exercise is considered complete onlyu when we close it with three deep breaths ...

[IMG]http://www.kingofcrafts.com/sleeping_cats_(two).jpg[/IMG]

Love and sweet dreams!
Margherita



WOW! I can't believe it! While looking for a lovely picture I found the song I always sang to my children, but I always sang only the first part and did never know the whole song and here it is! Now I will print it out and sing it in the whole version to Simon next time I get the chance!

Wiegenlied

Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!
Dein Vater hüt' die Schaf.
Die Mutter schüttelt's Bäumelein,
da fällt herab ein Träumelein.
Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!


Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!
Am Himmel ziehn die Schaf,
der Mond, der ist das Schäferlein,
die Sterne sind die Lämmerlein.
Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!


Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!
Dein Vater hüt' die Schaf.
Deine Mutter hütet's Böckelein
das bringt dir feine Röckelein.
Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!


Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!
Dann schenk ich dir ein Schaf,
mit einer güldnen Schelle fein,
das soll dein Spielgeselle sein.
Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!


Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!
Und blök nicht wie ein Schaf.
Sonst kommt des Schäfers Hündelein,
erschrickt mein böses Kindelein.
Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!


Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!
Geh fort und hüt die Schaf.
Geh fort, du schwarzes Hündelein
und weck mir nicht mein Kindelein
Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!


Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!
Da draußen geht ein Schaf,
ein Schaf und eine bunte Kuh.
Mein Kindlein, mach die Augen zu.
Schlaf, Kindchen, schlaf!





And now of course it is HIGH TIME to go to sleep, but it was fun to stay here with you.

Yawn!

Mar

I love the images

Unfortunately I am a poor sleeper myself.
I think the world is full of trouble today causing stresses.
Thank you for the helpful hints and websites.

All I know at the moment is that I need a good strong cup of coffee.

Sue

Good morning everyone.
The pictures are all so cute.

Thank you all for sharing valuable information. I also don't sleep enough. I have to get up really early because it takes me an hour to get to work. In the evening I don't get to sleep early because there is always so much to do. Now I will make an effort to leave some things for the weekend and try and get more sleep.

Love
Vicky

Hahaha...all the pictures are so funny that I am laughing myself to sleep

Generally, lack of sleep may result in[1][2]

aching muscles[citation needed]
blurred vision[citation needed]
clinical depression[citation needed]
colorblindness[citation needed]
daytime drowsiness and naps, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)[citation needed]
loss of apetite
decreased mental activity and concentration
depersonalization/derealization[citation needed]
weakened immune system[citation needed]
dizziness[citation needed]
dark circles under the eyes[citation needed]
fainting[citation needed]
general confusion[citation needed]
hallucinations (visual and auditory)[citation needed]
hand tremors[citation needed]
headache[citation needed]
hyperactivity[citation needed]
hypertension[citation needed]
impatience[citation needed]
irritability[1]
lucid dreaming (once sleep resumes)[citation needed]
memory lapses or loss[3]
nausea[citation needed]
nystagmus (rapid involuntary rhythmic eye movement)[citation needed]
psychosis-like symptoms[citation needed]
sleep paralysis (while awake)
pallor[citation needed]
constipation
slowed reaction time[citation needed]
slurred and/or nonsensical speech[citation needed]
sore throat[citation needed]
stuffy nose[citation needed]
weight loss or gain[citation needed]
severe yawning[1]
decreased desire for sexual activity[citation needed]
delirium[citation needed]
temper tantrums in children[1]
symptoms similar to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_deprivation

________________________________________________________

"Lack of sleep disrupts every physiologic function in the body," said Eve Van Cauter of the University of Chicago. "We have nothing in our biology that allows us to adapt to this behavior."

Get a good night's sleep whenever you can.

Thanks for the additional information Vicky.

A large proportion of the problem is due to the high paced lifestyle causing the lack of time to get the sleep we need.

I keep waking up to the alarm every morning, and it is no fun. I used to be able to wake before the alarm went off, so I feel really tired. I am waiting for the clocks to be changed so that I can get back to my old routine of waking up before the alarm goes off.

Love,
Sue