Top seller fill-ins coming soon!

Are You Sleeping Well?

October 14, 2020

0 Comments


Apparently the good old U.S. is a nation of “not great” sleepers. Really? And I thought I was the only one! According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it was revealed that one out of three Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. Yikes!

“Consistent, restful sleep is one of the most effective ways to manage good health, reduce stress and boost memory and productivity,” says Sara Mednick, Ph.D., associate professor of cognitive science at the University of California. I came across this comment in a fascinating article written by Leslie Goldman that appeared in Better Homes & Gardens of March 2020.

Sleeping Study and Quiz

Are Your Sleep Habits Subpar?

Take this quick quiz to find out – then read on for science-backed tips and tools to make the most of those precious hours of shut-eye.

1 How often do you snack?

A Mainly after dinner
B Throughout the day and I often crave sugary stuff
C When I do snack, it’s usually something healthy between meals

If you answered A or B, poor sleep may be throwing your hunger hormones out of whack

When you don’t get good sleep, levels of the appetite-stimulating hormone “ghrelin” rise and levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone “leptin” fall. One study found that getting only five hours of sleep a night over the course of one week, led to a two-pound gain.

“When you’re sleep-deprived, your body acts like it’s in a mild state of stress,” Mednick says. “It spurs you to reach for foods with sugar that provide quick energy.” (I think we’ve all been there – done this one.)

2 My memory is……

A Sharp as ever
B I feel fuzzy-minded a lot of the time
C I often struggle to recall words and forget where I put my keys

If you answered B or C, your memory is begging for better sleep

“Sleep deprivation has a strong affect on the brain, especially the ‘prefrontal cortex’ the area that’s responsible for language, word selection and memory,” Mednick says. “It’s not uncommon for people to notice words slipping their mind on six hours of sleep.”

3 If I’m being honest, my mood can often be described as……

A Sad
B Short-tempered
C Anxious
D None of the above

If you answered A, B or C, poor sleep may be worsening your mood

The regions of the brain tied to mood – the “amygdala” and “prefrontal cortex” are adversely impacted by poor sleep. The “prefrontal cortex” is like the CEO of the brain – it controls the “amygdala” according to Mednick.

She goes on to explain that with less-than-ideal rest the CEO can’t control the “amygdala” – so it will lean more towards negative thoughts and the result is a moodier individual.

Tips for Good Nights Ahead

ONE: Choose a few wind-down activities such as listening to soft music and have a cup of chamomile tea (made from the chamomile flower – it may lower the risk of heart disease or cancer). The key to an effective wind-down routine is doing the same things each night. This tells your body that it’s time to get tired and go to sleep.

TWO: For those with traditional schedules, that’s between 9:30 and 10:30 with 11:00 at the latest. This is when much of the slow-wave stage of sleep happens, when your mind and body restore themselves according to Mednick. If you fall asleep at midnight, you’ll miss out on a lot of that stage even if you sleep eight hours.

Shaun Nelson-Henrick

 

Art is courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens



Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Blog

The Invasion of the Brit Tabloid

October 22, 2020

I just read an article that sounded – to me at least – like “a canary in a coal mine” or an early warning of danger. This piece, written by Joe Pompeo, appeared in the May 2020 issue of Vanity Fair magazine with the title “The British Tabloid Invasion” and a subtitle that read, “How the Daily Mail is conquering American gossip.”

Invasion of the Brit Tabloid

The paparazzi horde, La Dolce Vita, 1960 – photo courtesy of Vanity Fair

Read More

Magical Hermès

October 06, 2020

I think we’re all taken by the incredible mystique of the famous French fashion house, Hermès that has been with us for two centuries and is still owned and operated by the same family. From its beginnings in fine equestrian leather goods, they are – in the tumultuous year 2020 – best known for their handbags and many other items.

Hermès Catalog Cover

My image of Hermès has always been rarified products at equally rarified prices so imagine my surprise when I recently received a very stylish publication of theirs in the mail.

Read More

Marie Kondo: How to Clean Your Home

September 30, 2020

For some time now I have been reading items in the media about Marie Kondo, the “tidying consultant” and I must admit, I’m completely baffled by the whole subject. She has been in the public eye since 2011, when her book The Life-Changing, Pulsing Magic of Tidying Up in Japan.

 

Read More

Size Chart
Bodywear

We use Italian lingerie sizing  for our bodywear and items tend to run small.

Because of the body-hugging nature of the fabric and our body conscious fit most women prefer to wear our layering tops as under-layers. If you are inclined to wear them on their own we suggest you size up. Please contact us. We're happy to help you get it right.

 Bodywear Size Chart

Net Orders Checkout

Item Price Qty Total
Subtotal $ 0.00
Shipping
Total

Shipping Address

Shipping Methods