Sleep plays an important role in your mental and physical health. While you are sleeping, your brain is working hard, forming the pathways for learning, and creating memories and thoughts. Without enough sleep or good quality of sleep, you have low concentration, focus and energy, and mood problems (just to name a few). Chronic lack of sleep can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, infections, obesity, diabetes, and depression.

For most people today, sleep is a luxury. Everything is so fast-paced that 24 hours in a day sometimes feels too short to get all your tasks and activities completed, so you skip sleep, which only makes you feel worse and more stressed. Research suggests that adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night to be well rested and have a body functioning at its best.

4 Common Signs That You Need More Sleep:

1. You are gaining weight
Lack of sleep can lead to an increased appetite (not the best food choices either). In addition, lack of sleep messes up your hormonal balance, making your body more likely to store any excess energy consumed as fatty tissue.
2. You are craving fatty and sugary foods
Being sleep-deprived leads to an increased production of cortisol, leading to the same physiological reaction – increased cravings for processed and fatty food. Lack of sleep also affects your decision-making skills as well as your ability to pick healthy food options.
3. It’s harder to focus
Sleep allows your brain to dispose of unnecessary waste of neural activity allowing it to function faster when you’re awake. Your memory and concentration does not function properly when you are sleep deprived.
4. You are moody
Ever heard of waking up on the wrong side of the bed? They’re often days when you had very little sleep. Eating sweets because you are sleep deprived can also contribute to an increase in your negative mood. Your body is under a lot of stress when you don’t allow your brain and body to regenerate during sleep. Feelings of stress, anger, sadness, and mental exhaustion can occur when you sleep less than 7 hours per night.

6 Natural Sleep Aids:

1. Food is medicine
Eating a heavy meal just before bed can cause you to have a poor night of sleep. Tryptophan and serotonin foods such as honey, whole grain gluten-free oats, brown rice, quinoa, turkey, nuts and seeds, may promote restorative sleep.
2. Calcium and Magnesium
Calcium levels are at their highest during our REM sleep. If you never get to the REM sleep phase or it’s limited, it could be related to a calcium deficiency. Calcium is important because it helps the brain create melatonin (natural sleep aid). Foods high in calcium are dark leafy greens (kale, broccoli, bok choy, okra), almonds, non-dairy milks (fortified), yogurt, and sardines (with bones). If you have trouble sleeping, it could be related to a magnesium deficiency. Higher levels of magnesium can help induce a deeper sleep and more consistent sleep since it is a calming nutrient, and when taken with calcium it increases better absorption together. Foods high in magnesium are spinach, swiss chard, pumpkin seeds, cacao, bananas, black beans, figs, and avocados. Taking a supplement with both calcium and magnesium is also beneficial.
3. Essential oils
Prescription medications for sleeping can cause awful side effects, making you feel not like yourself. Essential oils can help ease nerves, stress, anxiety, and promote sleeping. Bergamot, lavender, sandalwood, frankincense, and mandarin essential oils can create a sleep-inducing blend.
4. Valerian Root
Valerian is a plant with roots that contain many healing properties. It helps increase GABA, which helps calm the nerves in the brain and promotes a calming and sedative effect. There is valerian root and chamomile tea, and valerian root in capsule form.
5. St. John’s Wort
Depression and lack of sleep relate to one another. Insomnia and sleeping problems are common among those who are depressed. Chemicals, hyperforin and adhyperforin, are found in St. John’s wort, which act as little messengers in the brain that drive mood and work as power antidepressants. Using St. John’s Wort can help treat your depression and increase restful sleep.
6. Bedroom Atmosphere & No Technology
Don’t watch TV, work on the computer, or be on the cell phone while you are in your bed. The bright screen can lead to alertness. Also, keep your bedroom as a calming and sleeping sanctuary, with no electronics and only books, cold (temperature 60-69*F) and dark, and essential oils, which will promote calmness and sleepiness. The cold will help decrease your core body temperature and promote sleepiness.

Sleep is one of the most important factors of success and leading a healthy life.

Be sure to make sleep a top priority in your life.

References:
http://www.foodmatters.com/article/4-common-signs-that-you-need-more-sleep

It seems like there is a new health trend every week these days – a new superfood was discovered or a new way to work out your abs. The truth is that there is no “one size fits all” approach. Despite our bio-individuality, there are some scientifically proven ways to increase overall quality of life without breaking the bank, turning your world upside down, or diving too deeply into the confusing world of health fads.

1. Eat the Rainbow:

Eating well is one of the most important things you can do for your overall-wellbeing. A great way to ensure you are consuming a multitude of nutritional goodness is to include foods of all different colors in your diet. Red fruits and vegetables are colored by a natural plant pigment called lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of cancer and keep our heart healthy. Purple and blue fruits and vegetables are colored by a plant pigment called anthocyanin, which has antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage and help reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids, like betacarotene which is converted into vitamin A and helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes. Green fruits and vegetables contain a range of phytochemicals including carotenoids, indoles, and saponins, all of which have anti-cancer properties. Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and broccoli are also excellent sources of folate. Brown and white fruits and vegetables contain a range of health-promoting phytochemicals such as allicin (found in garlic) which has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Bananas and potatoes are also a great source of potassium.

2. H.I.I.T. (High-Intensity Interval Training):

One study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology revealed that decreasing workout time, but increasing the intensity of each exercise, yielded positive results when compared to longer periods of workout. This method is called high-intensity interval training (H.I.I.T.). A single weekly session of HIIT is proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. HIIT is so effective for weight loss – HIIT workouts tend to burn anywhere from 6 to 15 percent more calories compared to other workouts. HIIT causes structural and chemical alterations to the DNA molecules within your muscles, and this leads to the genetic reprogramming of muscle for strength.

3. Techno-Fast:

For most people, 24 hours without electronics and personal gadgets would be a tough burden to bear! It is impractical to not have access to these things on a daily basis, however, limiting your use of electronics, especially at night, is very beneficial for your overall health. The light-emitting devices promotes wakefulness. Therefore, by using electronics and television so close to bedtime, it confuses the brain and increases wakefulness. Try to stop using electronics at least one hour before going to bed and you will most likely have a more restful sleep.

4. Get into Nature:

Getting into and experiencing nature can be instrumental in improving your overall wellbeing. Mental fatigue can be combated by immersing oneself in the great outdoors. Grounding is ancient practice that involves placing your bare feet firmly on the earth (grass, dirt, sand etc.), walking, and absorbing Earth’s natural electrical energy. Grounding improves mental clarity, balancing, calmness, blood flow, and lowers stress.

5. Water:

The human body is comprised of about 65% water, which we require for many significant processes, including blood circulation, metabolism, regulation of body temperature, and waste removal/detoxification. The quality of water we drink is just as important as your daily quantity. Chlorine and fluoride, which are commonly found in many public water supplies, have been linked to increases rates of cancer. Installing a high-quality water filter is a good idea to ensure you are drinking quality water.

6. Ice Baths and Cold Showers:

It is believed that ice baths and cold showers can have very positive effects on your health, including alertness, deep breathing, improved circulation, and decreased levels of stress. Start by enjoying your regular warm shower, then turn it to cold water for the last minute before you get out. You’ll notice the effect on your breathing and mental state immediately.

7. The Science of Smiling:

Wise men and women through all ages have claimed that the simple act of smiling can transform you and the world around you. Smiles are contagious and they make us appear more attractive to others. Some studies have linked smiling to increase lifespan – another great reason to smile daily!

Reference: http://www.foodmatters.com/article/7-health-hacks-that-will-change-your-life

1. What types of wellness services does Thank You Mama offer?

Our mission at Thank You Mama is to empower healthy family beginnings. We offer access to the healing benefits of alternative medicine and in-depth educational opportunities. Offering massage therapy, acupuncture, and herbal medicines, we are committed to servicing the evolving needs of your entire family.

2. What are some common health issues that acupuncture and massage therapy can help with? 

With a relationship with someone that knows your body, you are able to consult with your acupuncture physician from anything that disturbs the ease of your life from acute discomforts to chronic pain and disease. In addition, your Thank You Mama Acupuncture Physician has advanced training in Gynecological, Fertility, and Pregnancy issues. Your body’s main function is to maintain balance within. As a result of hectic lifestyles, environmental pollution, and a myriad of other stressors, your body can become out of balance.  Through massage therapy, you can take the time to slow down and care for yourself, improve circulation, relieve pain, and retake the balance that is inherently yours.

3. What are the health benefits of prenatal and postnatal massages? 

Massage helps ease the discomforts associated with pregnancy due to shifts in posture, hormonal changes and increasing weight on the body, including headaches, low back pain, and sciatica. Massage helps to increase circulation, reduce swelling, and even improve skin elasticity. Your treatment will promote relaxation & ddeep breathing and stabilize hormone levels by reducing anxiety and stress. You will regain increased body awareness for easier labor while enjoying relaxation and pain reduction.

Postnatal and motherwarming massages restore the abdomen, re-balancing postural and movement patterns. It helps reduce musculoskeletal strain of mothering tasks and provides support for the integration of the childbearing experience. We feel that caring for yourself during the postpartum period is just as important as the time during pregnancy, a healthy mama equals a healthy family.

To book an appointment or fore more information, contact Thank You Mama @ 727-289-7250.

www.thankyou-mama.com

We love helping pregnant mothers prepare for the birth of their upcoming bundle of joy with gentle and custom chiropractic care designed to meet the needs of their changing body.

Here’s why:

1. Optimal Function, Optimal Birth

Keeping your spine healthy allows us to ensure your entire nervous system is functioning as it should. When you’re able to keep your spine aligned and nervous system balanced during pregnancy, you’re setting your body up to work as effective as possible. When you’re pregnant, a body working in peak performance is what you’re after!

2. Pain Relief

The joy of having a new baby is well worth the aches and pains you go through to get there. During pregnancy, it’s entirely common for mothers to experience not just back pain, but joint and muscle discomfort. This is largely due to the weight of the growing baby as it puts new stress on shifting internal organs. The good news? Chiropractic adjustments are gentle and effective during all stages of pregnancy.

3. Proper Alignment

As a chiropractic patient, you know that our focus is typically spinal alignment. But for pregnant mothers, we’re also focused on ensuring proper pelvic position for a couple of reasons. First, if the pelvis is misaligned, it can limit the amount of space the developing baby has to grow and move. Second, it helps you keep proper posture throughout your pregnancy, which can prevent slouching that leads to unnecessary body aches.

4. Delivery Benefits

A smooth, healthy and speedy delivery is every new mother’s dream when it comes to the birthing process. But what you may not know is that a misaligned pelvis can lead to difficult delivery issues as the baby isn’t always able to get into the most ideal delivery position. For mothers who hope to have a natural and non-invasive birth, this can lead to problems.

Many of our patients have reported that with regular prenatal care, their deliveries seemed faster and required less artificial intervention.

Migraines is a highly tedious complaint by many people. Migraines occur in unpredictable episodes that bring on a throbbing headache that is often consisted of fuzzy eyesight, susceptibility to bring light or loud sounds, and sometimes vomiting.

Some migraines are developed by the result of changes in blood pressure, neurotransmitters in the head, or muscle spasms in the neck. Blood pressure and neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, affect each other.

Migraines can also be associated with the monthly cycles. Many women suffer from hormonal migraines, which occurs when hormone levels are fluctuating and estrogen drops. As the estrogen level drops, the level of serotonin in the head drops, as well as the blood pressure, which increases the risk of migraines developing. If the level of estrogen is very high, the drops in estrogen may also be very high and this will increase the risk of hormonal migraine. The causes for high estrogen levels include high body fat percentage, high load of chemical substances (plastics and pesticides), and poor liver performance (leaky gut, high alcohol consumption and high load of chemical substances).

The thyroid gland affects the monthly cycle, serotonin level, muscles, and blood circulation inside the head, so therefore, a poor functioning thyroid gland may also cause migraines.

Healthy lifestyle changes are important to help treat migraines naturally.

Natural Treatment For Migraines

Food:

Some foods affect neurotransmitters and blood pressure. Foods that may trigger migraines: gluten, casein, chocolate (theobromine and tryptophan), alcohol, nicotine/cigarette smoking, caffeine in coffee and other drinks, and food additives: glutamates, aspartame, and nitrite.

Choose organic, whole foods to fuel your body, and limit your intake of alcohol.

Stress:

Stress has a major impact on neurotransmitters, blood pressure, and muscle tension. Chiropractic adjustments improve spinal function and alleviates the stress on your nerves/nervous system, resulting in lower stress levels.

Traumas:

Traumas to the head, jaw, and neck such as falls and car accidents, often trigger migraines. A good chiropractor can help by performing adjustments to correct spinal curves and nerve interferences.

Sleep:

Lack of sleep, or poor quality of sleep increases the risk of migraines. Be sure to get 7-9 hours of good quality sleep. Develop a nightly routine to help get your mind in the sleep mode (hot tea, shower, read a book), and sleep in a dark, quiet room.

Water:

Dehydration and lack of moisture intake causes migraines. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. At least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day is recommended to avoid dehydration.

Reference:
http://www.foodmatters.com/article/what-is-causing-your-migraines-how-you-can-treat-them-naturally