SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE NOW
Sleeping in heavenly peace is a luxury. But it’s also a necessity for optimal health and brain function for humans and most other animals. Here are some new findings as well as some new ideas about how to achieve this often elusive beautiful kind of slumber.
Photo: Courtesy of Uppsala Universitet. Nerve Cells and Glial Cells.
BRAINWASHING
We now know more about why a peaceful night’s sleep is so important.
Researchers led by Maiken Nedergaard at the University of Rochester Medical Center have discovered a “need” for sleep. The team of researchers used a technique, called two photon microscopy, to examine the brains of sleeping mice by injecting red and green dyes and examining how they flowed through the brain.
Photo: Courtesy of Maiken Nedergaard/Jeff Iliff. When asleep, spaces between neurons (light blue) flush out waste.
The study showed that the glymphatic system cleans cerebrospinal fluid around glial cells (brain cells), flushing out protein waste from spaces between neurons in a “scrubbing” process. This waste has been found to have associations with Alzheimer’s disease.
Photo: Courtesy of Health Freedoms. Evidence that Sleep Detoxes the Brain
The researchers discovered that during sleep brain cells contract, increasing the space between the cells by as much as 60 percent, allowing the spinal fluid to wash more freely through the brain tissue. The scientists found that the glymphatic system was almost 10 times more active during sleep than when awake.
Photo: Alex Liberzon. Cerebrospinal fluid, visualized in a laser light by fluorescent particles.
The discovery of the self-cleaning brain, coupled with previous research out of Washington University showing that levels of beta-amyloid drop during sleep, could hold keys and clues to the prevention of and treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Photo: Courtesy of How Sweet It Is. Toasted Marshmallow Cream Hot Chocolate.
FATTEN UP. SLEEP TIGHT
Try a bedtime snack that is rich in fat before you go to bed, it can use those efficient and delicious ketones to get through the night, letting you get better rest. Hot cocoa with a beautiful dollop of real whipped cream can do the trick very nicely. In case you missed yesteday’s post, check out 10 crazy-good and cozy hot chocolate ideas in Beautiful Hot Chocolate Peace.
Photo: Courtesy of Migravent. Sunglasses
Power down. Peace out.
Blue skies are perfect during the daytime because the color blue signals our bodies to be active. Unfortunately, so do many of our digital devices, so that at night, when we also use them, they make it difficult for us to fall asleep right after we power down.
You can hack your way into a peaceful night by wearing some blue blocking sunglasses as you surf, text, message, and watch videos just before you try to sleep. Drivers and skiers use the same blue-blocking brown or amber lenses to help cope with glare and shadows. So wear a pair just before bedtime. Then, simply switch off -- and nod off straight away.
Image: Courtesy of Keri Nola. Publisher: Keri Nola (January 31, 2013)
44 HOLISTIC TIPS FOR PEACEFUL SLEEP
by Keri Nola (Goodreads Author)
Author and Holistic Psychotherapist, Keri Nola, offers a collection of 44 diverse, holistic tips, tricks, and techniques that support you as you discover and relieve the sources of stress that affect the quality of your sleep.
Photo: Vincent Lock. Winter Wonderland at Heavenly Hill
Read more about Night Beauty all this week on BeautifulNow, including Night Time Mega Beauty Captured. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.
Photo: Courtsey of Reji. White Doves.
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