Turns out, lots of folks have trouble sleeping at different points in their life. When worry is involved, this poses a major risk to your long-term health (to say nothing of your energy levels!) The culprits? Oh, the usual suspects: stress, over work, rich food, lack of meditation.

What’s worked for me first and foremost has been to take on a daily meditation practice. This made major improvements in other areas of my life like:

• Lowering my stress response to things
• The ability to quiet my mind at will more easily
• The ability to be awake without getting into thoughts of worry
• A loss of desire for heavy foods or too much wine
• More frequent ability to actually sleep through the night

Sleep is an important part of living a balanced, healthy life. It may be true that, as we age, we need less sleep than when we were younger, but that shorter span should ideally be uninterrupted – and certainly not punctuated by worry, stress, binge eating or frustrations.

Some folks choose to go the drug route – either prescription or self-medication. What I’ve found though, is that, besides exercise, fresh air and meditation, L-tryptophane has worked for me under known stressful conditions. I can’t recommend this to anyone, but I can say that others report similar results.

How about you? Do you or have you had trouble sleeping? What have you found works to get a good night’s zzzz’s? What hasn’t? Share any insights, experience or wisdom you have for our sleepless readers in the comments below.

Many blessings,
Dawn

Living the life you want doesn’t have to mean living in lack. In fact, I’ve come to deeply understand that the very opposite is true. We’ve lived for so long now – generations – with the false belief that resources & possibilities are scarce, finite & must be competed for, that we’ve lost track of the fact that we are infinite, eternal beings with the ability to create anything we want – including abundance that harms none and serves all.

Thankfully, those old ways are drawing to a quick close, and a new paradigm of abundance for all is upon us. Laura Colvin Brown is the Founder of the Successful Spirit Summit & Successful Spirit Online. Have a listen to the conversation with Laura and I about the nature of this energetic shift and why NOW is the very best time for your to thrive by choosing to walk away from the old paradigm, stepping into your Soul Purpose business and making an Abundance Breakthrough.

The abundance revolution is here my friends, and those of us in the healing and spirituality industries can and will serve the greatest good by stepping into a life beyond fear-based competition & scarcity. Join us, and let’s Lift as we Climb!

How is this possible? Well, it turns out, you have an immortality gene inside your body – right now – that’s waiting to be expressed. (Yes, YOU, whether you are 16, 25, 50, 75. or even 100 years old!) In fact, the astonishing truth is the older you are, the better it works!

If you want to find out more, learn from the foremost expert on longevity, Dr. Dave Woynarowski. In this 5-part exclusive FREE video series, the author of The Immortality Edge, “Dr. Dave,” will take you through the Nobel Prize-winning research that reveals breakthrough protocols on how to significantly slow down your aging process.

I know this might sound too good to be true, and maybe you think getting older is just a natural part of life, but the latest DNA research says otherwise. You have the potential to have more healthy, quality years in our life. And you can re-program your own DNA by turning on your body’s secret, youth-preserving enzyme.

Want to know more? You can watch these free videos of Dr. Dave’s talk during the 2011 LongevityNOW conference.

Once you’ve watched them, please let me know your thoughts.

Many blessings,
Dawn

Oh! Links to the remaining videos can be found right under the video screen. Just click where it says ‘click here’ and it will take you right to the next video.

Update from Dawn: since I wrote this, I’ve come across a much more informative series of vids on sleep & EMFs. So if sleep (or lack thereof) has you down, you’re going to LOVE these free videos with David Wolfe on the Power of Sleep.

How’s your sleep these days? Mine has been superb over the past few weeks thanks to a few important changes I’ve made. What are these changes? A major overhaul of the amount of EMFs I’m getting during the day, but especially – at night! It turns out that EMFs (Electro-magnetic frequencies) can wreak havoc on your sleep patterns because they deplete the amount of melatonin in your brain. And how do they get to us? The electrical wiring in and around us all the time, especially in our bedrooms – including lamps, laptops, electric blankets … you name it. If it’s plugged into a wall and anywhere near you while you sleep, you’re getting dosed with voltage that’s none-too-friendly for a good night of ‘shut-eye’.

I’m still figuring this stuff out, and will keep you posted as I learn more. But in the mean time, below is an article with more details on the Sand Man’s nemesis It’s from Sing Chios Healing, and I’m reprinting the whole thing here for you to read easier.

Sleep Disorders and EMF

Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMFs) are becoming an issue for health-conscious people. Scientists are finding this form of pollution in homes and offices effects all aspects of daily life.

Most individuals in the industrialized nations have grown up with EMFs pervading their lives. This familiarity with the EMFs allows one to ignore the effects of EMFs on a person unless the person is completely removed from the surrounding electrical grid (wiring in ones house) for a period of time. Studies sensitivity to EMFs has shown that the brain’s electrical output increases fifty-fold during magnetic storms from solar flares (sunspots). Fields that are created in the home (TV’s, lamp, electric stoves and computers) are
proving to be much stronger.

The #1 Indoor Pollution

German scientists have done 40 years of indoor pollution research. The German Institute of Bau-Biologie (Building Biology) has found that EMFs are the #1 indoor pollution problem. German doctors now routinely write prescriptions that authorize Environmental Inspectors to check houses for EMF levels.

Charles Bolta, an active educator of how EMFs can be reduced in the home, has been studying EMF issues for the past several years. He says, that “after all of the time I’ve spent studying research and test results with some very gifted engineers and scientists, the greatest piece of information that I can pass on to anyone is that when it comes to electricity, we should all be practicing “prudent avoidance.”

Prudent Avoidance in the Bedroom

A complete survey of EMF levels in the home takes special equipment, but there are some simple acts to start practicing prudent avoidance. The area of most importance is the bedroom. EMFs have been directly linked to melatonin depletion and sleep disorders. At night, all devices (except those used for health purposes) can be unplugged from the wall outlet. Appliances should not just be turned off, but unplugged! This included devices behind the wall by the sleeper’s head. EMFs travel through walls. If there are appliances such as refrigerators or TVs on the opposite side of the wall where the sleeper’s head is should be unplugged or the bed should be moved.

Another step is lessening the EMF levels in the home that switch off all circuit breakers that are not needed to keep essential units running (refrigerator, heater, or any medically-necessary devices). It may take a few minutes to figure out which breaker affects which outlets, yet this is the best way to cut off the flow of electricity.

Clear, Calm & Less Stress

The effects of such elementary precautions may be felt immediately, or may take several months-it depends on the person and the degree of EMF activity. Mr. Bolta speaks of his own experiences in reducing the electrical flow in his home: “I have found that my
sleeping patterns are much more even: I fall asleep easier, and I wake up with a quiet mind and less stress. My wife and I have noticed that our communication has become clearer and calmer between one another. But above all, I have found that it is much
easier to sit with myself, meditate and to contemplate. The reduction of electrical pollution in my home has also resulted in decreased mind-chatter, and a feeling of improved physical well-being”.

Most people report that one thing they notice is that it is quieter and more peaceful once they have eliminated the electrical grid in their house. The effects will vary for each individual.

Before I learned about EMFs, I would sometimes go to sleep with my computer right next to me or under the bed – usually plugged in. I also had electric outlets right behind the head of the bed with lights plugged in – yikes! What are the obvious EMF culprits in your bedroom and how can you make simple changes to get ‘em away from your sleepy head? Leave me a comment and let me know.

I know I’m not the only one asking these questions. I have plenty of friends, neighbors and acquaintances around my age who are experiencing similar things to varying degrees. Some are in a lot worse shape than me after a few too many years of partying – or too many years of down-hill runs on the extreme slopes of Mt. Crested Butte. Thanks to having my son so young – and then being a professional athlete for years – my ‘party years’ were pretty limited, and I am NOT a down-hiller in any way, shape or form – except when strapped into a good roller coaster But because I drove myself so hard for 12 years in the world of the martial arts, I, like the other 40-something athletes around here, have got a few ‘owies’ to take care of.

But the point of this blog post isn’t to bemoan, it’s to enlighten – a little

So how do we know if we’re aging a little (or a lot) earlier than we need to be? Here’s 7 simple signs …

1. Hold on while I catch my Breath!

How are your lungs these days? Are they what they used to be, or do you find yourself unable to handle the same amount of exercise without needing to take breaks to catch your breath? If you find yourself short of breath more and more often, this means either you’ve got a respiratory problem, or simply a reduced lung capacity. As we age, it’s especially important to keep our lungs strong. Breath is life, afterall.

2. My Tips are Cold

Poor circulation is the culprit behind chronically cold fingers and toes. If you’ve had trouble with circulation, this will definitely put a pinch in your vitality. Too many years of limited circulation means not enough blood flow to all your parts. And this will surely age you quicker than need be.

3. Standing on one Foot

How’s your balance? I had a yoga teacher in his early 70s a few years back. He was as nimble as a 30 year old and as vital as a young stallion. He shared with me what it was like to watch people his own age cross the street. “It’s like controlled falling. They’re balance is going, and some of them practically trip up the curb.” Now we know falling is a leading cause of death for the elderly, so it stands to reason that if you’re losing some of the balance and agility you enjoyed in your 20s, then you’re heading down a road you probably don’t want to keep following. Balance exercises as we age are key to maintaining our agility and keeping us safe when we really do become elders.

4. Sick of being Sick?

Your immune system is your most important defense against all kinds of ‘bad guys’ – germs, viruses, diseases .. you know the kind. If you find yourself catching lots of colds, getting the flu every winter or generally feeling low energy much of the time, then you’re body is telling you you’re getting old – whether you actually are ‘old’ or not! Time to look into boosting your immunity.

5. Can I hit the Snooze Button Again?

If you find yourself waking up tired too often, then your body’s not getting either the amount or the quality of sleep it needs to be refreshed for a new day. Many elders report difficulty sleeping through the night. I personally struggled with this one for a number of years until I finally hit on the solution: I quit drinking. Not that I was ever much of a drinker, but there was something about having more than glass of wine that seemed to trigger bouts of wee-hour wide-awakes. Over time, this really started wearing me down, but now that I sleep well, I have way more energy and vigor right into the evening every day. Phew – what a simple solution that was! Of course, booze isn’t the only culprit for poor sleep. Lack of proper exercise, poor nutrition and consistently high stress levels will also do it. So if you’re having trouble sleeping, take a good look at your daily routine to see what changes you need to make.

6. Where’d my Toes Go?

The litmus test of your body’s flexibility is how close you can get to touching your toes! Now some people never really can touch their toes, but compared to what your range was at, say 18 or 22 years old, how do you compare today? Go ahead and check, I’ll wait  …… If your flexibility has been getting worse over the years, consider this: it ain’t gonna get better on its own. Just take a minute to project another 15 or 20 years ahead. What do you see? If you don’t like it, maybe it’s time to start doing something about it? I’ve recently been learning a bit about Active Isolated Stretching. If Pilates or yoga are not your cup of tea, this gentle, focused stretching modality might be just what you need.

7. Ouch! Lifting Gets me Down

Muscle tone doesn’t have to diminish with age, so if you’ve been feeling weak and tired, there’s a good chance your muscle strength is in decline. Consider some light weight training and core strength training which help you maintain muscle and bone mass as you age, and protect your spine and joints from unwanted tweaks, twists and injury.

Do any of these signs raise red flags for you? Which ones? Would you like to learn more about what to do to reverse the aging your experiencing in one of these areas? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Many blessings,
Dawn

Check out this short vid of “Timmy the Greek” (and have a peek at my gorgeous ‘hood, too )

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now I’m no rugged mountain biker, and you won’t catch me balancing atop an obscenely high pinnacle any time soon, but I do love what ‘core training’ is doing for me – without excessive pain or heavy weights.

Have you ever done any functional or core training before? What do you think of it and how does your body respond? Leave a comment and let me know!

Many blessings,
Dawn

If you think it’s about time to seek expert advice on personal issues you have been suffering from, one of the most important questions you have to ask yourself is this: What kind of therapy suits me?

Find out the different types of therapies and which of the four will get you back on track.

All love and eternal gratitude,

Angelique

…

The Best Type Of Therapy For You

article from self.com

This cheat sheet can help you understand the various talking cures and find an approach that jibes with your needs.

1) Cognitive-behavioral therapy

CBT helps you identify self-defeating thoughts and start to develop behaviors that are more constructive. And unlike, say, psychodynamic therapy, you don’t have to delve into your past (e.g., issues with your mom); CBT is about what’s going on in your emotional life now.

What to expect You’ll supplement the mental techniques you learn with at-home exercises, such as jotting down your thoughts, and will likely see some progress in only a handful of sessions.

Click here for 3 other therapies >>>

I’m not sure if you know this song once sung by Nat King Cole but it goes like this…

“Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you…”

Smiles can do a lot more than brighten up your day. It can make you look younger, feel better, turn strangers into friends and now, research shows that you can even smile to live longer! Read this article to find out more…

Keep on smiling

All Love and Eternal Gratitude,

Angelique

…

The Easiest Health Tip Ever

from menshealth.com

Want to live longer? Just smile—widely.

Past research has found a link between a positive attitude and a healthy heart. But a new study published in the journal Psychological Science found that a person’s smile is also associated with how long they live.

The researchers examined 230 photographs of Major League Baseball players who appeared in the 1952 baseball register. Then they divided them into three categories: People who didn’t smile, people who had a partial smile, and people who had a full smile. (They also noted the players’ weights and ages, among other characteristics.) By 2009, all except 46 subjects had died.

The discovery?

Click here to continue reading>>>

Papayas are one of my favorite fruits. I love it straight out of my fridge on a hot day and they make great fruit shakes too!

Today, I am going to turn all of you into papaya lovers! Read this article below on the Fabtastic benefits of papaya and why you should get hooked on it too

…

The Goodness of Papaya enzyme

from the Healthcare Information Directory

The papaya has been studied and long used for its many benefits for our health. It is packed full of vitamins and beneficial enzymes that can be very helpful with certain diseases and disorders today. The papaya contains the enzyme papain as do pineapples, figs and kiwi fruit. This enzyme has been extracted and used commercially for years as meat tenderizer. The enzyme that is extracted and utilized for meat tenderizer is obtained from the leaves of the papaya. The fruit itself has as many if not more vitamins and enzymes that can be utilized when it is eaten or the enzymes are extracted for use.

Papain has been used for years by those who endorse natural healing
methods. Many European countries use the papaya between courses of gourmet meals to cleanse the palate and to help the digestion of heavy meals. The enzyme papain has been extracted and has proven beneficial in the digestion of proteins. Proteins are much harder to digest than any other food by the body. Papain has been used for many years by holistic healers as an aid in digestion. It has also been used to help with problems such as indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Learn more about the benefits of papaya here >>>

All Love and Eternal Gratitude,
Angelique

One of the most frequent questions I get from the people I meet is what makes me so happy all the time.

I love it when people ask this because it shows that my happiness really shines out to people. What better to make the world a better place than radiating and vibrating at a level that’s nothing short of awesome!

Well…there are many things that make me happy. Firstly, I practice being grateful with everything around me. Secondly, I surround myself with happy people, happy ideas, happy storsies. Thirdly, I love what I do and that is to help people whenever I can. But there is also one thing that makes me happy. Read this article below and you’ll find out what it is

…

Vegetarians Are Happier Than Meat-Eaters

by Matt McDermott

A new study in Nutrition Journal finds vegetarians have lower incidence of depression, anxiety, and other mood problems than their meat-eating neighbors.

Yet another reason to adopt a vegetarian diet… Rodale reports that a new study in Nutrition Journal finds vegetarians have lower incidence of depression, anxiety, and other mood problems than their meat-eating neighbors.

I say neighbors specifically because the researchers came to this conclusion after studying Seventh Day Adventists, who were split about 4-5 between vegetarians and meat-eaters. Rodale notes that this group was chosen because the nature of the community is such that it is easier to account for external influences than diet coming into play.

Click here to continue reading >>>

All Love and Eternal Gratitude,
Angelique