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Can We Sleep For Three Hours and Still Function Normally?
Polyphasic sleep - also known as *Uberman's Sleep Schedule*, consists of six daily naps taken every four hours instead of one long sleep every night (monophasic sleep) The naps can last from a minimum of 10 minutes up to 30 or 40 minutes. 25 minutes is considered optimal. The polyphasic sleep concept is based upon the fact that we have a 4 hour *ultradian* rhythm operating alongside our normal 24 hour cycle. This ultradian rhythm means that we go through a complete mini-cycle every 4 hours. Usually at the following times: 4am, 8am, noon, 4pm, 8pm and midnight. Have you ever experienced dip in energy at 4pm? Those following the polyphasic sleep schedule usually sleep from 10-30 minutes every 4 hours . This goes on for the whole 24 hours. A modified version of this is also practiced, where 3 hours core sleep in the early morning is followed by 20 minute naps every 4 hours. Individuals can adapt cycles to better suit their lifestyle. Mammals living in dangerous environments practice the polyphasic sleep schedule. Their survival may mean remaining alert to danger throughout the day and night. Astronauts are also taught it in case they need to deal with emergency situations. The army also trains some troops in polyphasic sleep. The type of sleep experienced by polyphasic sleepers is mostly comprised of stage 5 REM. Thus the earlier stages of sleep are largely bypassed allowing the user a few more hours of 'awake time' each 24 hours. This is a gradual process though. At first the naps may not be largely NREM which may explain the seven to ten day stage where some polyphasic sleepers feel heavy, grumpy, spaced out and can't concentrate. The Advantages of Polyphasic Sleep Polyphasic sleep has been called the "sleep of genius" Famous folk such as Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon. and Winston Churchill have used this schedule in some form or another. Many who have trialled polyphasic sleep have reported feeling extremely creative, although this state may take some weeks to achieve. The obvious advantage of course is the extra time gained in each twenty four hour period. If you follow the classic schedule, six naps of twenty five minutes each, you would be averaging only two and a half hours sleep! Once you get used to sleeping this way, you can slip into the sleep state within a few minutes, compared to twenty minutes or longer for monophasic sleep. Writers, or anyone who needs creativity in their field, find that sleeping this way allows them to be more creative. This could be due to the occurrence of more alpha and theta brainwaves, rather than beta, during their waking hours. Disadvantages? This type of sleep schedule is not recommended long term although there have been some that have kept it up for 6 months with no apparent ill effects. There has been no long term research done to find out any negative effects on health. Although its been practiced through the centuries, it's not known whether depressing the other non REM stages of sleep - especially the stages 3 and 4 of deep sleep, may have a negative effect on long term emotional health. Polyphasic sleep is impossible to integrate into a normal working day. Oh! And another thing. Those who have tried it have reported an increase in appetite which may lead to weight gain. You would probably need to spend some of that extra time doing more exercise! Conclusion If you are interested in trying polyphasic sleep, try it for a while during your next holidays. It won't do any damage short term, except possibly make you feel tired and grumpy! It is recommended that participants review their eating habits and make sure they are on an optimum diet with all the necessary food groups and maybe a vitamin and mineral supplement. Also recommended is to have a series of interesting projects on hand to keep the mind stimulated and to prevent accidental sleeping outside the schedule. Visit our web-site below for a healthier way of maximising the quality of our sleep in less time. Go to the "Too much sleep" page. Want to know how to have better sleep? Find out how. Check out http://www.insomnia-connection.com your resource for detailed information on better sleep and curing stress. The author, Wendy Owen, has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health as well as being an ex insomniac!
Physician and Patient Attitudes towards Complementary and ... - 7thSpace Interactive (press release)
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Alternative Medicine Relieving Chronic Pain Through Visualizations: A Three-Part Strategy The most effective way to use the subconscious for pain relief seems to be to encourage it to attack the pain process from three different directions. Here's a recap that you may be able to use to help build an effective strategy for easing your pain. Frankincense in Aromatherapy - Trees, Pearls, and Essential Oil The Mysterious FrankincenseUsed for many thousands of years, the Frankincense tree has perhaps the greatest association with spiritualpractice of any plant on earth. In most of the great ancient cultures,including the Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations, it has played a role inreligious and domestic life. Frankincense has been sought after by kings and valued as highly as gold. Morerecently, the essential oil is gaining popularity with spiritual seekers and natural healers alike. What isso special about this tree that its 'pearls' were given as a gift at the birth of one of history's most reveredprophets?The Hardy Tree and its Tears The Frankincense tree, or Olibanum, upon first glance, may seem rather unremarkable. It appears as agiant shrub, with many knurled branches topped with abundant slender leaves and occasionally, small white flowers.A native to northern Africa, it looks like it belongs in the desert, growing in some of the world'sharshest conditions. But it is not the tree itself, but rather its sap that has such profound lore surroundingit. Whenthe tree's bark is pierced with a knife (known traditionally as a 'Mingaf'), a milky-white oleoresin is exuded- thought the tree is not harmed. The resin forms droplets known as 'tears' or 'pearls', which harden intothe orange-brown gum known itself as Frankincense. The English name of this natural incense is derivedfrom the medieval French 'franc',meaning 'pure' or 'free', and from the Latin 'incensium', meaning 'to smoke'.History's Most Popular IncenseFor more than 5000 years, the hardened resin has been burned in temples throughout Egypt, China andIndia; the Catholic church continues to use it today during Mass. It is one of the four main ingredientsin Jewish ceremonial incense, forming an important part of the Sabbath day offerings. The smoke of Frankincense(as with other ritual incense) is thought to carry prayers to heaven upon it's smoke. It is also said todeepen the breath and still the mind, making it useful for meditation and yogic practice. Theincense may have health benefits as well, producing a highly antiseptic smoke, keeping churches and churchgoersfree from disease.According to ancient documents, the great Baal temple of Babylon consumed 2 and a half tons of Frankincensea year. The Frankincense trade was of immense importance in ancient times, peaking about 2000 years ago.Caravans grew to as many as 2 to 3 thousand camels in size. Cities grew up along the trade routes, and heavytaxes and fees for protection, lodging and camel fodder raised the cost of the resin considerably, so muchso that it was valued as much as gold. The wealth involved inspired Alexander the Great to plot to control theregion, though his death happened to preceed the invasion.Health BenefitsFrankincense resin is thought to have a bounty of health properties - it was an ingredient in a rejuvenateface mask in ancient Egypt (it was also charred and used as the classic heavy eyeliner seen in much ancientEgyptian art), and at one time was "used to treat every conceivable ill to man". In ayurvedic medicine itis known as salaiguggul,used for centuries to treat many conditions, including arthritis. Modern science has isolated the activecompounds found to have anti-arthritic properties. Called boswellic acids, these components inhibit theinflammatory process, improve blood supply and prevent further cartilage reduction.Frankincense Essential Oil Modern natural medicine and aromatherapy have taken to the use of the essential oil of Frankincense. The oil, havinga warm, woody, sweet aroma with a hint of citrus, is steam or CO2 distilled from the resin.It is used for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, catarrh and asthma; for wrinkles, wounds and dryskin, and in cases of rheumatism, cystitis and leukorrea.The most important effect of the essential oil may be on the nervous system. Regarded as an antidepressant,the aroma can both relax and revitalize, and can help in cases of nervous tension and exhaustion. Frankincenseoil contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system, the hypothalamus, the pineal and the pituitaryglands. The oil is now being researched for it's ability to increase human growth hormone production. Further,it is considered to strengthen the immune system, which may in-fact occur as a result of it's uplifting properties.Frankincense essential oil can be used in a manner similar to burning of the incense in spiritual practice.Warming in a candle lamp or direct application to the temples and third eye will quiet the mind, deepen thebreath, and promote meditative stillness. It is often blended with Sandalwood, Myrrh and Cedarwood for suchuses, and the single-pointed concentration it invokes is thought to allow the spirit to soar.Experimenting with FrankincenseFrankincense resin is widely available at reasonable costs. Most is wildcrafted, being extracted fromtrees growing in the deserts of northeast Africa - thankfully, the resource is abundant, as the treeseasily survive harvesting of the pearls. The small chunks of resin can simply be lit by themselves ina dish or similar container, and allowed to smolder and release their smoke. Frankincense is also availablein prepared incense sticks and other incense preparations. In the form of your choosing, simply lightand allow some quiet time to experience the deep aroma.With the essential oil, a diffuser or warming lamp can be used to disperse the aroma throughout a space.The oil is also found in aromatherapy candles, where it is released from the heated oil beneath the burningwick. Frankincense oil can be applied directly to the forehead (it is non-irritating or sensitizing)where you can both capture the aroma and absorb the oil directly. Again, take a moment to sit quietlyto perceive any effects.The wonderful gift of the Frankincense tree is available in many ways, and has come highly recommendedfor many thousands of years. Try adding a little Frankincense to your life, and see what the mystery is all about! Your Body is a Map of Your Consciousness Everything begins with your consciousness. Everything that happens in your life, and everything that happens in your body, begins with something happening in your consciousness. Dangers of Dehydration - And The Importance of Kidney Cleansing The human body is composed of 75 percent water and 25 percent solid matter. To provide nourishment, eliminate waste and regulate all the functions in the body, we need water. Most modern societies, however, no longer stress the importance of drinking water as the most important "nutrient" among all nutrients. Entire population groups are substituting water with tea, coffee, alcohol and other manufactured beverages. Many people don't realize that the natural thirst signal of the body is a sign that it requires pure, plain drinking water. Instead, they opt for other beverages in the belief that this would satisfy the body's water requirements. This is a false belief. St Johns Wort: The Magickal Herb It was customary in Britain and Europe on St John's Eve (June 23), to gather certain herbs, such as St John's wort, vervain, trefoil and rue, all of which were believed to have magical properties. St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) does, in fact, have scientifically proven anti-depressant qualities. Drinks were brewed from it to cure madness, sciatica, epilepsy and paralysis. The salve made from the herb cured wounds from spears and swords - or, so it is said. Prenatal Massage What is prenatal massage? Prenatal Massage is a form of therapeutic bodywork that is geared to meet the unique needs of the pregnant woman. Promoting better function of muscles and joints, prental massage also improves circulation and overall body tone. Additionally, prenatal massage decreases mental and physical fatigue as well. Toxic Plastic Water Bottles I recently received a question from one of my readers about the safety of drinking water from clear plastic water bottles. These bottles, made from Lexan polycarbonate resin (a plastic polymer), are widely used for single-serving sales to one-gallon of water in stores and home-delivery bottles. Natural Remedy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADHD Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurobehavioral disorder of higher brain functioning. ADHD is common among the disorders that get affected in childhood and adolescence. ADHD is a disorder of numerous contradictions. We can find different abilities in ADHD affected children resembling some children are very hyperactive, whereas others are quiet and under active.It is estimated that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is affecting 3-9% of school-age children. Rose Rouge: Beyond the Healing Powers of Love "The rose distils a healing balm The beating pulse of pain to calm".-- Anaceron Working with an Intuitive Counselor: Opening the Door to Yourself "Oh, I've had a psychic reading before. They read some cards and wanted to know when my birthday was and then told me I'd meet a man in the next 6 months, but I never did." I've heard this from clients before. The difference is that after working with an Intuitive Counselor, they see that intuition, psychic ability and energy awareness is for so much more. Kyolic Clears Constipation and Strengthens Your Colon Garlic is another wonder herb. It has action in all areas of your body and can help you eliminate constipation. You can find it in capsules in a brand call Kyolic. Naturopathy Naturopathy is a holistic therapy that relies on natural remedies. Sunlight, air, and water are thought of as natural healers; this, along with nutritional supplements and massage therapies are all part of naturopathy. You Don't Have to Live With Stiff Neck Pain Getting quality sleep has, for many, become an elusive goal in the modern day. We work longer hours, take less time off, and try to overcompensate by micromanaging what little free time is available to in order to enjoy all facets of our lives. More and more of us are becoming aware that we are fatigued, and this is further exaggerated by the countless advertisements and commercials that discuss the number of Americans who are not getting good sleep. Many of us wake up daily with sore muscles and stiff necks. Nothing is more tiresome than the combination of exhaustion and neck pain. Prevent Disease By Thinking Differently Than Experts Did you know that all physicians and medical researchers have been indoctrinated with a flawed model of thinking dating to the 17th century? Evening Primrose Oil Benefits The evening primrose oil which we use is extracted from the seeds of Oenthera biennis, a plant native to North America. The evening primrose plant resembles a primrose but is related to the willow herb group. The Simplest Asthma Solution During the Democratic convention the Reverend Al Sharpton quoted a shocking statistic: One third of the children in Harlem suffer from asthma. This shouldn't be completely surprising since asthma cases have been consistently increasing over the years, especially in the cities, escalating recently during the rollback of some key environmental laws, but it is a trend we must turn back. How to Use Natural Remedies for Ulcers Caused by Helicobacter Pylori One of the bacteria that live in your mouth and cause gingivitis is the helicobacter pylori or H. pylori. This bacterium is transmitted by kissing. Everyone have this bacterium in his or her mouth and stomach. You mostly likely got this when you were a youngster and were kissed by your parents and all kinds of relatives. Aromatherapy -- The Fact & The Fiction You've seen those mysterious little brown bottles in the health food store. But do you really know what "essential oils" are? Have you seen outrageous claims about lavender instantly curing wounds and found yourself thinking "Whoa!"? Let's take a look at one of the biggest fads to hit North America in years and try to separate some of the fact from the fiction. About Candida, Its Symptoms & Treatment Candida is a fungal infection affecting the moist external area of the body like mouth, nostril, in side folded skin and vagina basically of a parasitic fungus. There are many types of Candida fungus like Candida Parapsilosis, Candida Tropicalies, Candida vini and sub-types named after the infected areas like Cutaneous Candidasis, Thrush, Vaginal Candidiasis, Penile Candidiasis, Pulmonary Candidiasis, Esophagus Candidiasis, Invasive Candidiasis and the treatments for respective infections are identified. Back Pain and Pain in Other Extremities: If Nothing Else Has Worked, Try Doing Visualizations (*In this group are included pain in the back, neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, leg, knee, ankle, foot, and other extremities.)
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