TresSugar

How to Rough It and Still Look Red-Carpet Ready

Michele Foley — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:56 PDT

I love to camp. And I am, for the most part, pretty OK with whatever the wilderness throws at me. Not the case with everyone - including a few friends of mine who sometimes join me in the outdoor fun. I've learned from them that newbie campers have the most trouble with sleeping outside and abandoning their normal beauty and hygiene regimen. If you know someone like this - or if this is you! - here are a few essentials to make sure that you get a good night's rest and also look your absolute best (without seeming like a princess).

Source: Thinkstock

Mistakes Made in the Bedroom: Why You Wake Up Exhausted

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:16:20 PDT

Ugh, is it 6:30 a.m. already? If you constantly wake up in the morning exhausted and in a fog, here are eight reasons why.

Your room is like a cave. I love sleeping in utter darkness, but if blackout shades prevent daylight from streaming in and slowing waking you up, your internal clock won't know day from night. Exposure to sunshine in the morning will signal your brain that it's time for your body to waken. And when you do, it'll be gradual, so you'll wake up feeling rested.
You skipped yesterday's workout and actually can't remember the last time you sweat it out. Exercise burns calories, but it also burns up energy. If you have too much, you'll be too restless to settle. Stick to a regular exercise routine, working out at least three or four times a week in order to reap the benefits in the bedroom.
You stayed up late tweeting and looking at friends' Facebook photos. I know it's difficult to disconnect from the world, but when you check your email "real quick" it's easy to get sucked in and before you know it, an hour has gone by. Besides keeping you up late, the lights from your phone, computer, and TV stimulate you brain, so when you finally shut off the lights, it takes your mind a while to calm down enough to drift off to sleep. Make a promise to shut off all technology at least an hour before bedtime and read a book, take a bath, or do some stretches before bed instead.

Continue reading to find out other reasons why you're not waking up rested.

What Will and What Won't Help You Drift Into Dreamland

Heather Dale — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:07:14 PDT

Whenever I need my sleep the most - whether it's when I'm stressed or overtired - is when I have the most difficulty falling asleep. And we all know that not getting enough sleepy time is a recipe for disaster. It's frustrating to say the least, and I feel like I've tried every tip and trick to relax and calm my mind, from hot baths and reading, to taking melatonin and drinking herbal teas. Do you have any tried, tested, and true tricks that work for you? Now it's time to take a closer look at some remedies to see if they actually work!

Counting Sheep: As fun as it is to imagine furry sheep while lying in bed, this old wives' tale technique of helping you fall asleep is actually a myth. A study at Oxford University showed that people who counted sheep (compared to those who did nothing at all) actually took longer to fall asleep. What they did find though is that visualization of a relaxing scene helped insomniacs fall asleep 20 minutes sooner. Researchers believe that counting sheep is ineffective because it's too boring and participants stop counting. In comparison, imagining yourself on a tropical island is engaging enough to concentrate on until we tire ourselves out. A separate study showed that insomniacs usually focus on worries before bed, and things they did during the day. Which is why it's important to really wind down and focus on positive, calming thoughts.

Keep reading about other remedies.

Are You an Animated Sleeper?

Heather Dale — Wed, 18 May 2011 02:33:50 PDT

One would assume that when you go to bed, your body goes into a comatose state for six to nine hours until you wake up the next morning. Right? Well, for my entire life (ever since I learned how to walk) - with at least one occurrence a week - I sit straight up, get out of my bed, walk around, sometimes go through drawers and move furniture (it's amazing how strong I am when I'm sleeping!), and then go back to bed. I never leave the house, although I've heard stories of that happening to other people. And not only do I sleepwalk, but I'm quite the sleep-talker, too! I've been told that I can speak some interesting languages while sleeping . . . fingers crossed Mandarin will come easily to me?!

Sleepwalking can be caused by many factors, including genetics, a chaotic sleep schedule, and alcohol consumption. According to WebMD, there is no foolproof way to prevent sleepwalking, although you can take certain steps like getting adequate sleep, reducing stress, and avoiding stimuli before bedtime to minimize your risks. Thankfully, it's not considered a serious disorder, and can usually be remedied with some relaxation and stress management therapies. And although startling, it is OK to wake a sleepwalker, but it's better to just calmly guide them back to bed.

In terms of sleep-talking, it can be caused by certain medications, emotional stress, a fever, a mental health disorder, or substance abuse. It is often harmless, although it may be a sign of a more serious health condition or sleep disorder.

What's your experience with either of these sleep conditions?

Get at Least 7 Hours of Sleep For Optimal Brain Function

Heather Dale — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:16:07 PDT

Burning the candle at both ends can not only lead to high blood pressure and increase your chance of dying from heart disease, but it also can take a big toll on your brain health.

We all know that not getting enough sleep can wreak havoc on your body, but according to a new study conducted by Jane Ferrie, a senior research fellow in the department of epidemiology and public health at University College London Medical School, sleeping less than six or getting more than eight hours of sleep is associated with a decline in brain function.

The study looked at 5,431 female and male office workers from London, age 35 to 55 in 1985 and twice more over the next two decades, who were assessed over a long period of time. It was found that women who got seven hours of sleep had high cognitive measure scores, while more than eight hours showed lower scores. According to Dr. Alberto Ramos, co-director of the Health Sleep Medicine Program and an assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, "Getting enough sleep helps many brain functions. It is restorative; it lets you concentrate better and process new information better and faster." Although he is perplexed why too much sleep may be unhealthy, speculating that this may be a sign of other health issues. I will vouch for that also, since I feel amazing after nine hours of sleep! Seven and I still feel groggy; what about you?

Here are some signs you need more sleep and some tips for curing insomnia if you find it difficult to fall asleep and then stay asleep!

What Do You Know About Sleepy Animals?

PetSugar — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:18:03 PDT

This lioness could be the poster cat for "Hang in There!" She's trying to get some shut eye . . . before a photographer woke her up with some flash. Don't feel too bad for her - lions can sleep over 20 hours after eating, so I'm sure she'll get back to it in no time.Meanwhile, it seems like North sleeps all the time, but is he just an extra lazy bones? I've gathered fun facts about other animals' habits to quench my need for sleep (trivia), so, eyes open, and get started!

Take the Quiz

Drop Those Extra Pounds by Getting More Sleep

Heather Dale — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:34:28 PDT

Getting enough shut-eye each night is vital for our overall mental and physical health. We've already learned that not getting enough sleep can lead to weight gain because when you don't sleep, the body experiences physiological stress that causes our bodies to store fat and slow down our metabolism.

Not only that, but a recent study suggests that when you sleep less, you typically consume about 300 calories more per day.

Another recent study related to this topic looked at 472 obese adults who were counseled about lifestyle changes over a 26-week period and asked about sleep time, depression, insomnia, screen time, and stress. The results from the study showed that high stress and too little sleep (or too much of it) can hinder weight loss even when people are on a diet. According to the study author, Dr. Charles Elder from the Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente, in Portland, OR, it was the people who got between six to eight hours of sleep and reported low stress who achieved the most success in the weight-loss programs.

Keep reading to find out why you can't lose weight if you're not getting enough sleep and what you can do about it.

The Pros and Cons of Sleeping on Your Side, Back, and Stomach

Heather Dale — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:00:45 PST

When it's time to get some shut-eye, how do you get into your preferred sleeping position? Do you lie on your back? Maybe you're a stomach sleeper? I've evolved in my sleeping style over the years, from a side sleeper to now a back sleeper, and on my stomach only when I've exhausted back and side positions and can't seem to fall asleep. But what are the best positions to sleep in? Considering how much I love my sleepy-time, I thought it was about time I did some research on this very topic.

Sleeping on your back
The pros: This position is great for balancing out your body weight and keeping your internal organs aligned. Just be sure to keep a pillow under your knees to help maintain proper alignment of your back.

The cons: Not the best position for snorers, since this may make their snoring worse!

For side and stomach positions, keep reading.

Is Your Child a Sound Sleeper? Chime In!

Heather Maddan — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:00:59 PST

Goodnight baby . . . maybe? Most parents say that sleep is one of the biggest hurdles that comes with having children, but every youngster has a different slumber cycle. From sleepwalking to bed wetting, many things can happen once a wee one hits the hay. Chime in with your own experience!

Tambino's Creative Bed Rails So Your Child Can Safely Slumber

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:00:23 PST

Add a side of playfulness to an otherwise boring safety accessory. When moving tots from the confines of a crib to the freedom of a bed, the security of a set of bed rails keeps a tot from falling on the floor. Until now, there hasn't been much to say about the drab, uninteresting safety device, but Jessica Cohen gives it a much-needed makeover with Tambino designs. The playful wooden rails, ranging from $65-135, replace traditional mesh eyesores with pieces mama will want to show off. The collection of six designs includes the Alpha-Bookshelf ($105) and the Noah's Ark ($135) which can both be used to store books, toys, and other tyke-sized collectibles. Check out the entire line below!

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