FOODS TO SLEEP ON
Come 10 pm, when the rest of the world is starting to wind down, you're winding up. Maybe it's something more, but it could be what you're eating (or not eating). Yahoo Health has created this list of the top 10 foods to help you get a good night's sleep.
Bananas. They're practically a sleeping pill in a peel. In addition to a bit of soothing melatonin and serotonin, bananas contain magnesium, a muscle relaxant.
Chamomile tea. The reason chamomile is such a staple of bedtime tea blends is its mild sedating effect - it's the perfect natural antidote for restless minds/bodies.
Warm milk. It's not a myth. Milk has some tryptophan - an amino acid that has a sedative - like effect - and calcium, which helps the brain use tryptophan. Plus there's the psychological throw-back to infancy, when a warm bottle meant "relax, everything's fine."
Honey. Drizzle a little in your warm milk or herb tea. Lots of sugar is stimulating, but a little glucose tells your brain to turn off orexin, a recently discovered neurotransmitter that's linked to alertness.
Potatoes. A small baked spud won't overwhelm your GI tract, and it clears away acids that can interfere with yawn-inducing tryptophan. To up the soothing effects, mash it with warm milk.
There's more so read more
Oatmeal. Oats are a rich source of sleep - inviting melatonin, and a small bowl of warm cereal with a splash of maple syrup is cozy - plus if you've got the munchies, it's filling too.
Almonds. A handful of these heart-healthy nuts can be snooze-inducing, as they contain both tryptophan and a nice dose of muscle-relaxing magnesium.
Flaxseeds. When life goes awry and feeling down is keeping you up, try sprinkling 2 tablespoons of these healthy little seeds on your bedtime oatmeal. They're rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a natural mood lifter.
Whole-wheat bread. A slice of toast with your tea and honey will release insulin, which helps tryptophan get to your brain, where it's converted to serotonin and quietly murmurs "time to sleep."
Turkey. It's the most famous source of tryptophan, credited with all those Thanksgiving naps. But that's actually modern folklore. Tryptophan works when your stomach's basically empty, not overstuffed, and when there are some carbs around, not tons of protein. But put a lean slice or two on some whole-wheat bread mid-evening, and you've got one of the best sleep inducers in your kitchen.
Fit's Tip: It's all about the serotonin and melatonin.
When it comes to a good night's sleep people are willing to try anything, so it's always nice to find out that nice things like reading a book or taking a warm bath can help you get a great night of rest. Add another great thing to that list: drinking cherry juice.
Tart cherries are the new super fruit, following the trends of Acai Berries and Pomegranates. Tart cherries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants in fruits as well as vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, folate, iron and fiber. They pack 19 times more beta carotene than blueberries or strawberries. Not only can tart cherries help ease the pain of arthritis and gout but they also reduce the risk factors of diabetes, heart disease and even certain cancers.
And how does the super fruit help you sleep better at night? Cherries contain melatonin, one of the naturally occurring brain chemicals that helps regulate sleep patterns. (more than strawberries) Drink a glass of unsweetened cherry juice before bed to get a boost in those sleep inducing chemicals. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, RELAX--CLEAR YOUR MIND OF EVERYTHING NEGATIVE, PROBLEMS, LISTS, AND THE PAST.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4742138
Sleepless Nights
Love is not supposed to make you cry,
if this is so then why do I?
Love is not supposed to make you sad,
then why is my heart feeling so bad?
I gave you my love
I gave you my heart,
I did not think,
from me you would part.
We sang, we danced
spending wonderful days together
that flew by so fast
while we were birds of a feather.
I do not know what I will do
during lonely days ahead.
I do know that life will be blue,
with sleepless nights, without you.
