Tag: Sleep

Blessings To You On The Beautiful Monday Morning!

Good Morning, my dear friends! How is everyone today? I am feeling a little better but still sick. I get tickled when I get sick. I have Kiki, Razzy and Stinker all hovering over me like I’m dying. If only they had arms and hands, lol! They are sweet though. Every time I cough or sneeze, Kiki runs and gets hubby. He comes in here and want to know what is wrong. Kiki is so protective it isn’t even funny. If I fall asleep at the computer, asleep in the floor, up sleep walking, you name and I ain’t suppose to be doing it, she runs and gets hubby. He told me that was a good thing, I guess it is. But he doesn’t realize, some of those places I fall asleep at, I am sooooo comfortable, lol! Now as far as the sleep walking goes, she can go and get him all night long. The doctors’ have tried medication and everything possible. I still sleep walk. That last time I can remember sleep walking, I woke myself up out on the porch. If it hadn’t been for a loose board that I stumped my toe on I would probably ended up in jail. I woke up with a rifle in my hand and I had intentions of shooting the dogs next door. Which is totally against my nature! I remember going to bed angry because the dogs wouldn’t stop barking. I guess while I was asleep, I just kept dwelling on it. I finally just got up in my sleep and grabbed the rifle and off I went. I can guarantee you, hubby has all the guns with him now, lmao! Must be afraid I might mistake him for a doggie, lol!

Well I am going to get busy. If you have a moment today, stop by the Apothecary. I am going to be putting some spell kits on there. They are going to reasonable, I promise. The biggest part of them range from 5 to 7 dollars.

Going to fly for now! Have a super, fantastic Monday and remember to keep all our friends down South in your prayers.

Goddess Bless You & Yours,
Lady A

More Monday Comments

Elder’s Meditation of the Day July 25

Elder’s Meditation of the Day July 25

“People need to wake up. They can’t hear God’s voice if they’re asleep.”

–Vernon Cooper, LUMBEE

Black Elk, a Sioux, talks about the hoop of many hoops. He says that above the people is a hoop, a conscience, the total belief of the people. If the hoop is sick, meaning dysfunctional, codependent, a lot of alcoholism, family abuse, violence, racism and sexual abuse, the people can get used to this and think this is normal. In other words, the people are asleep. If we have left the spiritual way of life, the people are asleep. If we are giving our power to another entity, the people are asleep. In most tribes, there are Coyote Clans. The job of the Coyote Clan people is to wake the people up. They need to become a nuisance and irritate the people. We must return to the spiritual walk.

Oh Great Spirit, keep me awake today. Let me hear the voices of our ancestors…let me hear the voices of the Grandfathers. Because everybody is doing it doesn’t make things right. Let me hear the truth today and become a coyote for the people. Give me the courage to be willing to be different. Let me walk straight on the Red Road.

8 Tips to Become a Morning Person

8 Tips to Become a Morning Person

by Samantha, selected from DivineCaroline

You don’t have to naturally be an early bird to become one. Make the  following changes to your daily routine and environment and give  yourself a little time to adjust and you, too, can be one who effortlessly gets  the proverbial worm.

1. Go to bed early.

Yes, it’s a given, but it’s important enough to emphasize; in order  to wake  up early and feel refreshed, you must go to bed early enough to  get a full  night’s sleep. Additionally, you should make your bedtime  consistent every  night in order to create a pattern that you will  instinctively follow if  repeated long enough.

2. Wake up at the same time every day.

Just as too little sleep makes you tired, too much sleep does the  same  thing. Plus, if you don’t create a pattern for your body to follow,  it will  resist your early-bird intentions. Wake up at the same time  every day,  including weekends, until your body adjusts and ultimately,  you may not need a  wake-up call at all.

3. Get a relentless alarm clock.

The yin to the above tip’s yang, you aren’t likely to get up early  if you  can perpetually hit the snooze button. Find a fool-proof way to  make sure you  wake when you are supposed to—without delay—and you’re on  your way to morning  person status.

4. Don’t drink caffeine or excessive alcohol in the evening.

All your good intentions will be foiled if you drink the wrong  beverages.  Caffeine obviously keeps you perky, which is great up until  the time you’re  ready to go to sleep. Don’t drink any after noon,  especially when you’re  starting out your new routine, to give you better  snoozing odds. Alcohol, too,  can foil best-laid sleeping plans. It may help you get groggy,  but later it disrupts sleep, causing exhaustion that lingers into the next  day.

5.  Exercise in the early evening.

While exercise gets the heart rate going and boosts energy, it also  helps  you get seriously restful sleep—so long as you give yourself  enough winding-down time after your workout.  Break a sweat right after work and you’ll have plenty of  time to get groggy before bedtime. Bonus: It  helps eliminate the stress that  might keep your mind busy when it should  be snoozing.

6. Eat healthy early evening meals.

Food hangovers happen all the time. In fact, most of us are  suffering from  one at any given time. Unfortunately, the kind of foods  you eat can disrupt  sleep, too. While you’re not likely to change your  diet just to accommodate  sleep, you can and should eat on the early side  so your body isn’t overwhelmed  trying to digest and dream.

7. Prepare for your day the night before.

Being a morning person doesn’t have to mean you bound out of bed and  whiz  around. Any sleepy shortcomings you have can be overcome with some  advance  planning. Get your coffee at the ready, lay out your wardrobe  for the day, and  make your lunch the night before. Then you’ll have less  to do as you drowsily  get into your new routine.

8. Reconfigure your bedroom for optimal sleep.

Sleep experts everywhere recommend that you make your bedroom a  sleep  sanctuary. That means you should keep stimulating distractions,  such as the TV,  smartphone, or computer, out of the bedroom and focus solely on soothing things  that are conducive to getting your snooze on.

10 Habits for Better Sleep

10 Habits for Better Sleep

by Molly, selected from DivineCaroline

Getting a good night’s sleep ensures more than extra spring in your step each  day.  According to Harvard Women’s Health Watch, chronic sleep  loss can contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure,  and a weakening of the  immune system! Conversely, good sleeping habits  boost the ability to learn and  remember things, keep weight in check,  keep an upbeat attitude, maintain  cardiovascular health, fight off  disease, and avoid accidents caused by  drowsiness. If you struggle with  getting quality zzzs, the following tips can  help you develop sleeping  habits to live by.

Go to bed at the same time every night. One of the best  ways to ensure you get enough sleep it to create a  routine that you and your  body become accustomed to. And step number one  in establishing a healthy sleep  routine is setting and sticking to a  bedtime that allows you to get enough  sleep—but not too much sleep.  (The National Sleep Foundations claims  the “right” amount of sleep is  based on the individual and his or her age.)  Select a bedtime that gives  you between seven and eight hours of snooze time  and you’re on the  right track.

Wake up at the same time every morning. The yin to the  above tip’s yang, waking up at the same time each day  not only assures you  don’t oversleep. It also enables your body to get  into a rhythm, and lots of  studies have shown that longstanding  routine—as well as adequate sleep—has been  linked to longevity.

Nap if you go off schedule. Travel, deadlines, worries,  and all kinds of other routine  interruptions can put a damper on your sleep  schedule. But rather than  try to make up lost time by sleeping in, it’s better  to take a midday  nap when you can. Otherwise, you will throw off your new  routine.

Don’t drink caffeine in the evening. The drink that gets  you going in the morning is also the one that  will keep you up at night—if you  drink it too late in the day. Know your  limits and avoid caffeine too close to  bedtime. After all, the last  thing you want to do is tuck yourself in only to  stare at the walls as  your heart races thanks to an after-dinner espresso.

Don’t use technology in your bedroom. Your TV,  smartphone, and computer are all gadgets that get your mind  buzzing, not  relaxing. In order to calm yourself down, it’s a good idea  to keep all  distractions out of sight, lest you be inspired to click on  the news or check  your email one last time. In fact, your bedroom  should only incorporate items  conducive to sleep.

Create darkness. Your body is designed to take sleep  cues from darkness. So why not  help it out by making your space nice and dark?  Use thick curtains or  shades, cover or hide the clock, and help your brain  power down for the  night.

Use a noise machine if necessary. Some noises are  soothing, such as the sound of the ocean or the  whisper of the wind. But other  noises—like loud neighbors or honking  cars—can keep you from getting the zzzs  you need. Luckily, there are  plenty of noise machines on the market that offer  a variety of “white  noise” options. Even a fan can help drown out unwanted  decibels if  you’re in a pinch.

Eat on the early side. Big meals right before bedtime  force your body to digest rather than  rest, while especially rich or spicy  meals may cause sleep-depriving  discomfort as they make their way through your  stomach. Eat light and on  the early side and you’ll ensure your food won’t keep  you up.

Avoid alcohol before bed. Sure, alcohol can make you  drowsy and even help you fall asleep. But  it also tends to wake you up in the  middle of the night, lessening the  overall quality of your sleep. Steer clear  of libations, or go moderate  early in the evening, to increase your chances of  solid sleep.

Make sure your bed is comfortable. If ever there were  an investment worth making, it’s a quality mattress and bedding.  Yes, these  items are expensive. But consider them a preventative  medical  expense—seriously. A good mattress and comfy sheets and pillows  help ensure you  get the sleep you need—and all the health benefits that  come with it.

Quiz of the Day for July 18 – What Your Sleep Position Says About You

What Your Sleep Position Says About You

by Melissa Breyer

 

Starfish? Soldier? Yearner? How do you sleep? I fall firmly into the Fetus category of sleeping  positions–curled up on my side–which, according to researchers at the Sleep  Assessment and Advisory Service, suggests that I am a tough cookie with a  sensitive heart. (And yes, it’s true…underneath it all I am a big mush.)

Sleep scientists believe the position in which a person sleeps offers  important clues about their personality. Director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory  Service, Professor Chris Idzikowski, analyzed six common sleeping positions and  found that each is associated with particular personality traits.

The Fetus This is the most common sleeping position,  adopted by 41 percent of the 1,000 people who took part in the survey. More than  twice as many women as men tend to adopt this position. Those who curl up in the  fetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart.  They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax.

The Log Lying on your side with both arms down by your  side is the sleep position favored by 14 percent of the people in the study. I’d  adopt this position if it guaranteed sleeping like a log, but perhaps not at the  risk of being naive. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being  part of the in-crowd, and who are trusting of strangers. However, they may be  gullible.

The Yearner 13 percent of people sleep in the pose of  the yearner–on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open  nature, but can be suspicious and cynical. They are slow to make up their minds,  but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely to change it.

Soldier Are you one of the 8 percent who sleep lying on  your back with both arms pinned to your sides? Well hello, soldier. People who  sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don’t like a fuss,  but set high standards for themselves and others. The soldier style is more  likely to lead to snoring and a bad night’s sleep.

The Freefaller If you sleep on your stomach with your  hands around the pillow and your head turned to one side, you sleep in the  freefall position. You are probably often gregarious and brash, but can be nervy  and thin-skinned underneath, and don’t like criticism or extreme situations.  Seven percent of sleepers assume this posture, which happens to be good for digestion.

The Starfish About 5 percent choose to lay on their back  with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because  they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally  don’t like to be the center of attention. The starfish position is more likely  to lead to snoring and a bad night’s sleep

What do you think? Are these researchers on to something? Leave a comment  below.

 

A SPELL FOR PEACEFUL SLEEP

A SPELL FOR PEACEFUL SLEEP

These are hung by your bed to encourage a restful sleep and sweet dreams.
10 Cardamon pods 1 tsp. Salt 15 cloves
1/2oz peppermint 1/2 oz rosemary dried peel of 1 lemon
Light a white and pink candle, place them on your work area (kitchen table, counter top).
Crush the cloves, cardamon and salt to a fine powder. Blend with the herbs and put in bags.
As you are making the bags concentrate on peaceful memories and beautiful thoughts.
When you hang the bags by your bed say out loud:
Sleep be with me Peaceful sleep Restful sleep
Let my mind be eased Let my body be calmed
Wings of darkness Let the sight of night and dream
be clear, be quiet Let my troubles drift away and let me dream

The Herban Corner – For Your Health

The Herban Corner – For Your Health

 
Insomnia – Chamomile is a very soothing tea to put you to sleep if you’re having trouble in that area. And a magickal remedy is to take garden violet, put it in a silver bag under your pillow, and then lay back and wait for the desired effect: sleep. Dill and dandelion also work on insomnia. Orange and passion flower are other plants that take away the sleeplessness you experience. Primrose and rosemary also may be used in a tea to take away your insomnia but I prefer that you put shavings from a white birch into a white muslin bag and wear it around your neck, or place it under your pilow. You should doze off almost immediately. Wild morjoram and sweet marjoram may be made into teas, too, and you may wish to make a poultice of lettuce and hops and mother of thyme to cover your eyes. Sleep should be induced soon after applying it.
.
Relieving Facial Tension – Every night before you go to sleep, sit in your bed and start making faces — just as small children enjoy doing, make all kinds of faces, good, bad, ugly, beautiful, so the whole face and the musculature start moving. Make sounds — nonsense sounds will do — and sway, just for ten to fifteen minutes and then go to sleep.
 
In the morning, before you take your bath, again stand before the mirror and for ten minutes make faces. Standing before the mirror will help: you will be able to see and you will be able to respond
 
Excerpted From Elizabeth Pepper, The Witches’ Almanac, Ltd.

Herbs, Yoga and Feng Shui for Sleep

Herbs, Yoga and Feng Shui for Sleep

By Jennifer Lang, Natural Solutions

Americans spend billions on prescription sleep aids each year, even though the drugs produce a number of unwanted side effects. Natural sleep remedies, on the other hand, are generally side effect-free. For the most part, they help you fall and stay in deep sleep without relying on sedatives. And because they’re muscle relaxants, they also help alleviate pain and may even improve libido. Some to consider:

L-theanine, an amino acid (protein) derived from green tea, improves deep sleep and helps people maintain a calm alertness during the day. It also plays a role in the formation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that’s critical for sleep. Take 50 to 200 mg at bedtime; L-theanine can also be used for daytime anxiety.

Hops reduce hot flashes in menopausal women, studies show, and they also reduce anxiety and help muscles relax enough for you to fall asleep. Take 30 to 120 mg at bedtime. Often used in combination with valerian and lemon balm, hops have to be dried to have any medicinal effect–the hops in beer, however tasty, provide no sleep benefit.

Passionflower (Passiflora) is an herb commonly used as a calming agent. Take 90 to 360 mg at bedtime.

Valerian helps reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep and improves the quality of sleep you get–without next-day sedation. Take 200 to 800 mg at bedtime. (Valerian causes wakefulness in some people; if that’s the case for you, take it during the day to reduce overall anxiety.)

5HTP (hydroxytryptophan) is what your body uses to make sleep-inducing serotonin. One downside: It can take up to six weeks to start working. Take 200 to 400 mg at bedtime. If you also take serotonin-raising medications (for example, antidepressants), make sure your holistic practitioner supervises the use of the 5HTP to keep serotonin levels from going too high.

Melatonin retrains your circadian rhythm so you become sleepy when the lights dim and wake up more alert at morning light. Take 3 mg at bedtime for three nights and gradually increase to 6 mg if necessary. Melatonin is not recommended for teens, however.

How Yoga Helps Insomnia
�Most insomnia has to do with �restless mind syndrome,�� says Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, a physical therapist and author of Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times (Rodmell Press, 1995). Because the mind is always spinning, you need to do something physical to allow the central nervous system to come into balance. This quiets the mind and lets the parasympathetic nervous system dominate while you sleep�crucial for the body to restore. Three poses to help you drift off–and stay asleep:

Before bed: Savasana
This is the gold ring of relaxation poses, says Lasater, because there’s no stretching at all. Lie down on the floor with a blanket folded under your head and neck, another blanket rolled under your knees, a soft cloth over your eyes, and a blanket to cover your body. Stay in the pose for 15 to 20 minutes or longer if possible. Use a breathing practice with a long, slow inhale and a slightly elongated exhalation; the exhale helps stimulate parasympathetic nervous�system dominance, prompting your body to go into “rest and repair” mode.

Can�t fall asleep? Halasana
Also known as Plough Pose, this legs-over-head pose is especially helpful if you have trouble winding down. A modification: Lay on the floor and rest your thighs on a padded chair, so thighs and shins are parallel to the floor.

For midnight awakenings: Side-Lying Savasana
“Side-Lying Savasana is a position of emotional comfort,” says Lasater. “It’s great when you feel exhausted and overwhelmed, pulled in all directions.” Lie on your left side and put a pillow or bolster under your right knee, right arm, belly, and head so you feel completely supported.

Feng Shui for Fostering Sleep
The ancient art of feng shui seeks to maximize the flow of life force energy, or qi, through environments, homes, and other structures. Five guidelines to set your bedroom up for good sleep:

• Place your bed diagonally across the room from the entrance, so you can lie in it and still have a full view of anyone entering.

• Try not to position your bed so you look directly through other doorways (to the bathroom or closet, for instance). If that’s unavoidable, shut the door at night.

• Don’t set up your bed directly beneath a window, otherwise you�ll lose vital energy during the night.

• Keep clutter to a minimum; it can agitate the flow of energy in the room.

• Add objects that help stimulate the movement of qi, such as mirrors, plants, and stones or statues, and remove overstimulating items, such as the stereo, computer, and TV.

What Your Sleep Position Says About You

What Your Sleep Position Says About You

  • Melissa Breyer

Starfish? Soldier? Yearner? How do you sleep? I fall firmly into the Fetus category of sleeping positions–curled up on my side–which, according to researchers at the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, suggests that I am a tough cookie with a sensitive heart. (And yes, it’s true…underneath it all I am a big mush.)

Sleep scientists believe the position in which a person sleeps offers important clues about their personality. Director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, Professor Chris Idzikowski, analyzed six common sleeping positions and found that each is associated with particular personality traits.

 

The Fetus
This is the most common sleeping position, adopted by 41 percent of the 1,000 people who took part in the survey. More than twice as many women as men tend to adopt this position. Those who curl up in the fetus position are described as tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax.

The Log
Lying on your side with both arms down by your side is the sleep position favored by 14 percent of the people in the study. I’d adopt this position if it guaranteed sleeping like a log, but perhaps not at the risk of being naive. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd, and who are trusting of strangers. However, they may be gullible.

The Yearner
13 percent of people sleep in the pose of the yearner–on their side with both arms out in front are said to have an open nature, but can be suspicious and cynical. They are slow to make up their minds, but once they have taken a decision, they are unlikely to change it.

 

Soldier
Are you one of the 8 percent who sleep lying on your back with both arms pinned to your sides? Well hello, soldier. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don’t like a fuss, but set high standards for themselves and others. The soldier style is more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night’s sleep.

The Freefaller
If you sleep on your stomach with your hands around the pillow and your head turned to one side, you sleep in the freefall position. You are probably often gregarious and brash, but can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and don’t like criticism or extreme situations. Seven percent of sleepers assume this posture, which happens to be good for digestion.

The Starfish
About 5 percent choose to lay on their back with both arms up around the pillow. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don’t like to be the center of attention. The starfish position is more likely to lead to snoring and a bad night’s sleep

Daily OM for December 12th – Rhythmic Rest

Rhythmic Rest
Natural Cycles Of Sleep

 

 

Our bodies are naturally encoded to respond to light and dark and sleeping with the rhythms of Mother Nature. 

The human body evolved to fall asleep soon after the descent of night’s curtain and to wake with the appearance of the dawn. Sleep cycles were governed by patterns of light and darkness for thousands of years, meaning that for much of history, humanity has enjoyed nine of more hours of sleep each night. Our bodies are naturally encoded to respond to light and dark and sleeping with the rhythms of Mother Nature. In the present, artificial light has changed the way we schedule our day-to-day lives, and most of us slumber for less than seven hours at a stretch. It is possible, however, to come back to natural sleeping cycles by making a few small changes. When our bodies and minds are attuned to the world’s natural rhythms, we feel calmer, more centered, and more energetic while awake. Sleep is more satisfying because we afford ourselves more than enough time for restoration and rejuvenation.

Our reliance on indoor lighting further compounds our disassociation from the natural cycles of light and darkness that would otherwise preside over our sleep. You can mimic the passage of the day by changing the quality of the light. Sleeping without heavy drapery or shades is best so you can wake up with the sun. If sleeping by a window without a curtain is not an option, a dawn simulator lamp imitates the sun by growing steadily brighter with the coming of the height of morning.

You will likely discover that changing your sleep patterns to be in sync with the daily cycle of light and darkness is easy and that you feel more alive when your sleeping and waking rhythms are in alignment to those of the earth. Nature’s own phases will be your guide to wellness, granting you more waking hours in the summertime when you will benefit greatly from spending time outside and ensuring you get plenty of sleep in the winter when you likely need it most.

To Cause Insomnia

To Cause Insomnia

To cause insomnia, steal a piece of your enemy’s clothing and a few strands of his hair. On a moonless night, sprinkle the clothing with bits of straw; then burn the hair and rub the clothing with the ashes Bury the whole shebang in ground near your enemy’s home. He’ll toss and turn in his bed for weeks afterward.

NONTOXIC FLYING OINTMENT

NONTOXIC FLYING OINTMENT


2 drops Sandalwood Oil

1 drop Jasmine Oil

1 drop Benzoin Oil

1 drop Mace Oil


Add these essential oils to the ointment base and anoint the body prior to an Astral Projection session. The Gazing Technique –
This is to be done when going to bed. You need something to focus on; if it is in view the moon, the stars, a crystal, a favorite doll will work well. Use whatever you like.
This method involves the body falling asleep, and you should never leave anything that burns unattended. Place the object within your view and lie down in your bed. Just stare at the object as you doze off. The first few times may be frustrating.
You may just fall asleep and that’s it. Keep staring at the object. As your eyelids become heavy, keep staring. Eventually your eyes will close, but you will still be able to see the object.You will still be staring at the object. Sit up or stand up, and don’t be surprised to see your
physical body sleeping peacefully in your bed! When you are out of your body, do whatever you wish.

Life Is A Barrel Of Monkeys

Sorry I have just been up about an hour or so. I couldn’t sleep last night so I took a couple of sleeping pills. And look the last time I looked at the clock it was 3:30 a.m., now it is 1:34 p.m. I won’t sleep again for the next week, lol! I hope the rest of you have been enjoying the day for me.

I have to throw this in real quick. I am sure you all have heard me talk about my little Kiki. She is the mouthiest, little fart you have ever heard until I am sleeping. After this last back surgery, the lower part of my back is fused. It feels like a ton of concrete I am carrying around. When I lay down in a soft bed, it feels like that concrete is about to crack. So I have this gorgeous antique bed that I can’t sleep in. Kiki has the biggest doggie bed in the country. She lays at the end of it and looks down on me while I sleep in the floor. She sits perfectly still and doesn’t make a peep. If she thinks I am asleep she doesn’t bark. But the minute I wake up all hell breaks loose. There is a standing joke, as long as the burglars time it right and tip-toe around, they could carry the house off. Which probably isn’t a joke 😦 .

After I have woke up a little bit, I was reading the comments in the back. I would like to thank the individual that sent my horoscope for the day to me. It was very sweet and thoughtful of you. Not to mention, you couldn’t have picked a better day to do it. Most of the time I draw a Rune or a Tarot card everyday to see what kind of day I am going to have.  Considering I haven’t drawed that card today, I will go with yours. Thank you, again!

Anyway the longer I talk, the longer it takes you to get the dailies. So I will hush for now and drag out the books. Enjoy and have a great day!