Interesting & Funny

Slumber Sheet


WOMEN NEED MORE SLEEP
SLEEP MAKES HER HAPPY

WHAT'S STOPPING WOMEN?

Different people sleep differently. But does your sleeping position convey something about your true self? Psychologists say that when you sleep, your unconscious mind takes over and there is nothing which can restrict your body and its movements. So, your sleeping position can give others a glimpse into your personality. Let us have a look at some common sleeping positions and what they say about you.


1. The foetal position
Position: Curled up on your side.

Personality: Foetal sleepers are an anxious lot. They tend to overanalyse everything and are great ‘worriers’. Surprisingly, research says that the foetal position is the most common sleeping position. This position is very soothing and comforting and you tend to sleep like this when you are undergoing a lot of stress. Every person at some point of his or her life has slept in this position.

2. The leaper
Position: Sideways with one of your legs in a straight line and the other raised.

Personality: These people are very fussy and want everything to go their way. They tend to be very complaining and never make an effort to adjust to new situations. Leapers are also a nervous lot and they tend to think for ages before taking the ‘leap’, but once their decision is made, they tend to stick to it no matter what.

3. The freefaller
Position: It is considered to be a very uncomfortable position: here the person lies flat on his tummy with both the arms and legs outstretched.

Personality: The freefallers are quite self-centered and stubborn. Their sleep is quite turbulent and these people like to be in control of everything. Constantly on the run, these people are over sensitive and don’t take criticism well.

4. The star sleeper
Position: Sleeping on your back with both arms and legs stretched outwards, occupying most of the bed.

Personality: They are considered to be good listeners and make really good friends. Such people love their comfort and are free spirited and carefree. The star sleepers always like to be in the background and don’t like drawing too much attention.

5. The log
Position: It is considered to be the second most common sleeping position. The sleeper in this position keeps their body stretched out in a straight line.

Personality: This position is most commonly associated with those who are easy going and like good company. They easily trust people to the point of being very gullible.

6. Covered from head to toe
Position: Covered from head to top while sleeping.

Personality: If you like your razai or blanket to cover your body from top to bottom, then you are a person who always tries to put on a brave facade even though you are going through troubled times. Such sleepers keep mum about their problems instead of asking for help. The blanket acts like a shield between them and the rest of the world. Such people are usually shy and tend to have a lot of secrets buried in their hearts.

Over six million men are affected by depression each year in the U.S. alone, but many don't seek treatment because they don't want to be seen as weak or defective. It's vitally important for men to educate themselves about depression so that they can recognize its symptoms and be prepared to seek help if necessary. Depression is influenced by your brain biochemistry, and that's not something you naturally have control over. Depression is a medical illness that you can't just 'get over' on your own. It may come as a surprise to hear, but depression isn't technically sadness--it's a loss of energy. And when energy is low, you are less able to cope and less likely to do other things that are necessary for a healthy physical and emotional life.

Most people don't realize it, but you can gain some control of your brain's biochemistry if it becomes dysfunctional, which can have a huge impact on your mood and behavior. That control comes mainly through medications, but lifestyle also plays a big role, too.

Depression is treatable.

Many people suffer from debilitating depression for months or even years, and if you're one of them, you may believe that a "normal" life is--and always will be--beyond your grasp. Depression is treatable, though--and with a combination of counseling and medication, most people are able to completely regain their quality of life. However, it's also important to understand that psychoactive drugs are not one-size-fits-all. Antidepressants narrow the range of emotion so that you can't feel as low. However, some people claim that antidepressants can reduce their ability to feel life's highs as well. The answer is finding the right medication in the right dose for each person--and this can take time."


Depression is not a cause for stigma.

Depression is not something to be ashamed of. While clinical depression is very different from a disease like cancer, they have one major thing in common: No one chooses to suffer from either, and no one can power through these ailments unaided. Untreated, depression can be just as devastating to you and your family as any other major illness. Ignoring depression can ruin your life and even lead to suicide. Today, scientifically we know more about it, and more and more people are becoming aware of its symptoms. Well-known figures including Terry Bradshaw, George Stephanopoulos, and Mike Wallace, to name a few, have also opened up about their own struggles with this illness in order to raise awareness and dispel myths."

Depression can also hurt your family.

If you're lacking energy or if you're anxious, irritable, or in pain, your family will notice. And their daily lives--in fact, their basic well-being--will be impacted, too. Your spouse and children might feel that they have to walk on eggshells around you, for example, and might become anxious themselves because they can't ease your burden. You won't be able to give them the attention, support, and love that you used to, either. And remember that if your kids see you moping around every day, they will be much more likely to grow up the same way, thinking that an unhappy life is simply the norm. That's not something any father wants to leave as a legacy for his children...and then for their children after them as well.

Depression can damage your physical health.

You may consider depression to be a disorder that's rooted in the brain. But that doesn't mean it can't affect your body, too. Depression is accompanied by a loss of energy. It can also cause muscle pain, joint pain, digestive problems, headaches, reduced sex drive, and more--and it's easy to see how those symptoms can disrupt your life. If you're depressed, it's very possible that you'll feel exhausted and in pain all of the time. It's actually not uncommon for patients to be misdiagnosed at first because they and their doctors think that the unpleasant symptoms have another cause. That's why it's very important to understand that depression isn't just 'in your head,' and to be completely open with your doctor.

There's a connection between depression and stress.

Stress is so prevalent that we tend to ignore it and write it off as normal, despite the fact that we've all heard the statistics about how chronic stress can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health problems. But did you know that long-term stress can also increase your risk of becoming depressed? While depression can be related to genetics, it can also be caused by long-term stress--especially if you're not handling it well. When you're constantly worn down, anxious, and unhappy, you're essentially training your brain to be that way--and eventually, your brain's biochemistry becomes locked into this pattern. Exercise is the best mood manager because it naturally releases endorphins and plays a crucial role in mood management."


Men experience different symptoms from women.

If you were asked to picture depression, you'd probably think of someone who is quiet, sad, apathetic, and lethargic. Those symptoms are characteristic of depression, but they're more commonly seen in women. Because most people don't realize that depression manifests differently between the sexes, many men fail to even suspect the true nature of what is bothering them. Women are likely to internalize their negative feelings and blame themselves for their problems, while men more commonly act out on their emotions. Depression manifests itself differently in men because their emotional circuits and brains are designed differently. So instead of getting tearful, a man who is depressed might become irritable, hostile, and fatigued. He might dive into his work or a hobby until he literally can't carry on. He's also likely to blame other people or other circumstances for his problems, rather than admit that he is experiencing troubling symptoms.

Depression is more prevalent than ever.

The number of people being diagnosed with depression is increasing--and that includes men. Studies show that each generation is more likely to become depressed than the one that came before it--and more likely to become so at an earlier age, too. Not surprisingly, antidepressant use continues to grow. You can be prone to depression because of your genetics, but also due to life circumstances.

Symptoms of Dehydration

• When a person stops drinking water or doesn't drink enough, they can become dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include dry and sticky mouth, sunken eyes, not producing enough tears, little to no urine output and lethargy, according to the National Institutes of Health. People who don't drink enough water may also develop low blood pressure and a rapid heart rate.

What Happens if You Don't Drink Enough Water?

• The body cannot survive without water. Water consumption helps the body breathe, because it moistens the lungs. Lung functions can use up to a pint of water every day, decreasing the body's moisture through exhalation. When that liquid isn't replaced, it makes it difficult to breathe. People who don't drink enough fluids can also gain excess body fat, have poor muscle tone and a decreased ability to digest food.

How Much Water Should People Drink per Day?

• Most people live in a state of dehydration and don't even know it, according to NaturoDoc.com. However, if people follow the general recommendation to consume eight to ten glasses of water a day, they can stay properly hydrated. This water intake should be spread throughout the day so there isn't the constant urge to head to the bathroom.
  
  
  

Caffeinated and Alcoholic Beverages

• While caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are liquid, they don't necessarily quench the thirst. This is because products such as soda, coffee and beer cause the body to become dehydrated. These beverages actually hasten the body's elimination of fluids. When this occurs, mild symptoms of dehydration are experienced, including heartburn, stomachache, lower back pain, headaches and depression.

Eating a Healthy Diet

• Eating a healthy diet that contains at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day is also important, since most of the body's daily fluid intake comes from what we eat. If you find that you're extremely thirsty, not eating a healthy diet, or feeling dehydrated, drink cold water rather than hot water. According to Southern Cross Health Insurance, the body absorbs cold water more quickly.

1. You sleep poorly and wake with a bad taste in your mouth.

Acid reflux causes the body to partially awaken from sleep, even when there are no symptoms of heartburn. The result of this “silent reflux” is fitful, uneven sleep, but when you wake up digestion is complete and you can’t tell why you slept poorly.

2. You toss and turn or wake up often to use the bathroom.

For some people, the problem manifests as having to get up to use the bathroom, and then being unable to get back to sleep. Once middle-of-the-night sleeplessness attacks, they lie awake for hours. But for others the problem is more subtle; they may sleep fitfully without waking fully, as the body attempts to send a signal that it needs to go.

3. Your jaw clicks, pops, or feels sore, or your teeth are wearing down.

Bruxism involves tensing of the jaw muscles, so it interferes with the relaxation necessary for deep sleep. And if you’re fully grinding, your body is engaged in movement rather than resting.

4. You move all over the bed or wake tangled in the covers.

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes these sleep movement disorders, but they do know they’re directly related to a lack of deep, restful, REM sleep. The restlessness can prevent you from sinking into deep sleep, or a muscle jerk can wake or partially rouse you from deep sleep.

Chicken soup
Can a bowl of chicken soup help fight a cold? Maybe: Some research suggests it could relieve inflammation.

Feed a cold, starve a fever
Being sick often kills your appetite; force-feeding won't help. What will help is staying hydrated and getting enough calories. A 2008 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that mice exposed to the flu took longer to recover and were more likely to suffer ill effects if they were on a low-calorie diet. Skip dieting until after flu season.

You'll get sick if don't wear a coat
Not likely. Colds and flu are caused by viruses. They do circulate during cold-weather seasons, but you're more likely to pick them up inside than out. In fact, going outside and getting more physical activity—and not just during cold and flu season—may help prevent sickness.

Vicks VapoRub in your socks cures coughs
In 2007, a widely circulated email recommended putting Vicks VapoRub on children’s feet at night and covering them with socks to cure coughs; it became an Internet sensation. The email identified the source of the miracle cure as the “Canada Research Council,” which prompted the National Research Council of Canada to issue a statement saying it had nothing to do with the email or its advice. VapoRub, which is usually applied to a child’s chest or throat, releases vapors that are intended to relieve cough symptoms when inhaled—so it seems far-fetched that it would work if it's in your socks.

A wet head can make you sick
You’ll probably feel chilly if you skip the blow-dry on a cold day, but not much else will happen. Again, colds are caused by a virus. Unless you are so cold that you get hypothermia, which could make you susceptible to infection, wet hair or clothes won’t increase your vulnerability.

Tremendously upset over decoupling from a long time mate?The freebies from the officedon’t leave you ecstatic anymore? You feel overworked and underpaid? Having a hunch that you might be demoted at work, if not fired? You might be suffering from depression if any of the following holds true.

1. Insomnia or Hypersomnia

One teacher said, "I felt like they were all moving...but slowly. Kinda like, they were breathing." The pictures below are used to test the level of stress a person can handle. The slower the pictures move, the better your ability of handling stress. 
Alleged criminals that were tested see them spinning around madly; however, senior citizens and kids see them standing still. None of these images are animated - they are perfectly static. 

A 25-year-old mother of one has died after undergoing a routine breast enlargement operation in Shenzhen, southern China.

The woman referred to as Ting Ting died on Wednesday after her heartbeat dropped during surgery.

Ting Ting, who was a fashion model, decided to undergo surgery after being told during her consultation that she had so-called 'small breast syndrome' and small eyes.

According to a surgery brief provided by the hospital, Ting Ting paid 45,600 yuan (£4,884) for breast enlargement along with surgery on her eyes.

During a consultation before the surgery, medical staff told her that she had small eyes along with small breast syndrome.

Her mother named Tian sad her daughter was a model. She told reporters: 'I always told her she looked so pretty.'

She says that Ting Ting didn't think that she was perfect enough and often talked about making her eyes longer and rounder.

The hospital staff confirmed that she had previously had a nose job at the same surgery.

According to hospital records, Ting Ting entered the operating theatre at 10.30am and had surgery on her eyelids using partial anaesthesia. She then underwent breast enhancement surgery with added anaesthesia. It was during this surgery that her pulse dropped followed by her blood pressure.

She was given adrenaline however her heart stopped.

Ting Ting's husband was told of the news at 5pm. However she had already been dead for some time.

Tian, the woman's mother says she is angry that they weren't informed earlier about complications.

She said: 'She had already passed away and paramedics had been called without our knowledge'.

A spokesman from the clinic confirmed that they had called paramedics at around 3pm and that they had tried for 30 minutes to resuscitate Ting Ting.

The spokesman confirmed that the death had been caused by the use of anaesthesia. He said that all of the medical staff involved were fully registered and certified.

The hospital have said that they will bear full responsibility and offer some compensation for the woman's death.

The health supervising authority in Nanshan District of Shenzhen said that they are currently investigating the case.

The cause of death will be confirmed following post-mortem examinations.

Plastic surgery is becoming increasingly popular in China, with many young women opting to undergo surgery to get the 'western style' double eyelids.

36-year-old London resident Angela Crickmore weighed about 83 kilos (182 lb). But inspired by the example of her friend who lost 9,5 kg (21 lb), she decided to lose weight herself. So she chose an appropriate diet and hit the gym. Overall, Angela lost about 28 kg. But after sometime, her husband filed for divorce claiming that he liked 83-kilogram Angela more. They have been together for 9 years. Despite all this, Angela is happy now with new life and doesn't regret her choice.

This is the agonising moment an teenage anorexic broke her ribs while jumping into her boyfriend's arms.

Georgia McGrath, 18, weighed just five stone when her ribs fractured as she went in for a hug while a friend took a photograph.

Miss McGrath, from Hull, East Yorkshire, had lost half of her 10 stone body weight after developing anorexia .

She lived off 100 calories a day, causing her weight to plummet and leaving her with a frail, skeletal frame.

She said doctors had warned her she was malnourished and vulnerable but said she couldn't see it at the time.

It was only after posing for the picture with boyfriend Ashton Benton, 25, and her family's horrified reaction that she sought the help she needed.

Miss McGrath said the anorexia started after someone at school called her fat.

From there her weight loss spiralled out of control as she went to the gym every day desperately trying burn off any calories she had eaten.

She said her illness caused her to miss a lot of college and she needed the support of a tutor just to help her walk.

In August 2014 she was rushed to the hospital after suffering from stroke-like symptoms that were caused by her starving herself.

VIA dailymail.co.uk

Via Solid Planet

A woman with a 30lb bust who has been turned away from every plastic surgeon she has seen is willing to risk her life on the off chance that two doctors can salvage her breasts after one of her massive saline implants ruptured, creating a medical emergency.

On Sunday night's episode of the E! reality series Botched, Dee visits visits Los Angeles-based doctors Paul Nassif and Terry Dubrow in hope that they will be willing to take on her nearly impossible case and reconstruct her breasts after removing her engorged and deflated implants.

'I kid you not, if we tackle this one, this is the most challenging, high-risk patient in my career,' Dr Dubrow tells Dr Nassif in a preview clip from the episode.

With the weather hotting up and summer just around the corner, thoughts are turning to poolside posing.

And who better to share their clean living tips than Russell Bateman, aka founder of The Skinny B**** Collective?

His elusive invite-only classes are dubbed 'the secret class for supermodels' and he's renowned for promoting lean, strong, empowered women by reeducating them on the misconceptions around fitness and wellness.
Indeed, just one look at the honed bodies of his clients - including Millie Mackintosh, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Whitmore, Florence Welch and Ellie Goulding - confirms Russell knows a thing or two about getting in shape. There's even rumours that the One Direction boys are fans of his regime.


1. Don't go into a gym and spend an hour on the cross trainer. That's like going to the Tate gallery and spending an hour looking at the reception. We were born to push, pull, crawl and embrace our bodies with a variety of movements. SBC lives by that philosophy and boredom is the enemy.

2. Einstein's definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. You're not going to change physically or mentally unless you constantly push yourself out of your comfort zone

3. Remember that your priorities dictate your choices. If you want to feel amazing and look your best then you may well need to cut out some things and work a bit harder.

4. Don't let someone make you feel bad for having a green juice, and in the same respect don't let someone make you feel bad for having a bit of cake. Whatever makes you happy is all that matters. We're only human; you will crave foods and occasionally have lapses. Don’t beat yourself up. A dessert whilst eating out at a social event now and then won’t hurt you.


5. Do not underestimate yourself and overestimate others, you are stronger than you think. Plus, remember that 99 per cent of the things that you're worried about are made up scenarios in your head that will never manifest. Wake up, take a deep breath, and be thankful to be healthy and alive.

6. Go for a walk after meals: 10-30 minutes of sustained walking after meals increases your body's ability to deal with blood sugar levels and can reduce your risk of diabetes.

7. Decide on your breakfast before bed. Most people blame time for not getting a good breakfast in, that’s not an excuse to go hungry. For busy mornings, use leftovers from the night before and simply reheat. Use protein powders, eggs, salmon or pre-cooked meats. Think high protein/high fat.

8. Doing a ‘detox’ involving fluids only for short periods of time makes almost no difference to the chemical build up in our bodies. It can take 6-10 years of zero exposure to get rid of half the amount of fat soluble chemicals in our body. Zero exposure these days is impossible! Count the chemicals in your foods, buy high quality produce and ditch the fads.





9. We all do it – whether we like to admit to it or not is another matter – but masturbation is one of my go-to ‘tools’ to fight pain, stress and even a bloated tummy. It’s also a great way to burn fat. Through Skinny Bitch Collective – with female empowerment at the forefront – I encourage fantasy and stimulation and preach that boredom in the upkeep of your sexual health is the enemy. Orgasms can provide powerful pain relief – perhaps more than doubling a woman’s tolerance for pain – and they are an analgesic, meaning they can suppresses pain without nulling sensitivity. There is no reason that can’t be beneficial to your workouts in those final few reps! Orgasms will help to protect your heart and will reduce stress with a surge of oxytocin, the hormone also released during cuddling sessions. Vitamin O is your new multivitamin.

10. Take a nap: There is nothing you can do for yourself that is more important for gaining energy/vitality and restoring your body-mind than sleep. Research shows that taking naps between 10-20 minutes long can have a very beneficial restorative effect on the body and mind. This is a great form of energy cultivation and has no negative side effects either.

11. Never eat fructose before you train. It can blunt fat loss potential. Fat after a workout has also been touted as having a detrimental effect; so high protein and fibrous carbs are SBC choices. That means no banana before or during a session. The same applies with sugary drinks; one of the biggest faux pas I see in the gym is a sugar overload coating sessions. Avoid if you want to be burning fat and firing your cognitive (brain) pathways! The perfect pre workout snack? Organic coffee and coconut butter plus five almonds. The perfect post-workout meal is without a doubt lean meat or fish with green vegetables and quinoa.

Almonds help in skin rejuvenation and are great memory boosters as well. So, let us delve deeper into their amazing benefits, and soak in the goodness of these crackling nuts

1. Clear your bowels
The way our skin looks and feels is directly related to how well our digestive system functions. A weak digestive system can lead to constipation, which in turn would cause pimples and acne. Eating almonds on a regular basis helps to increase the levels of gut bacteria in your stomach. And, it is these gut bacteria which are responsible for a healthy digestion, thus giving you a clear and healthy skin

2. A rich source of Vitamin E
If you have ever visited a skin specialist for acne, dark spots, blemishes or pimples, you would have noticed the doctor prescribing you vitamin E supplements and capsules. Vitamin E contains Alpha-Tocopherol, which nourishes your skin and gives you a radiant glow. And, almonds are a rich source of vitamin E. So, eating almonds will keep all skin ailments at bay.

3. Anti-ageing properties
It is a much proven fact that almonds have anti-ageing properties in them. Massaging pure almond oil on the entire face, especially under the eyes, helps in delaying wrinkles. A regular application of it also lightens dark spots and under eye dark circles, thereby giving you a beautiful and even skin tone.

4. Heart-friendly nuts
Well, let’s put it in simple words- almonds protect your heart. The fibre in almonds blocks the body’s ability to absorb fat. Also, these nuts are a very rich source of vitamin E, monounsaturated fat, magnesium, and antioxidants that increase blood flow. Moreover, their cholesterol-lowering effect helps in maintaining a healthy heart.

5. Memory and energy booster
Almonds help in boosting the power and capacity of your brain. All the essential nutrients that they contain boost your memory, and also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (loss of memory in old age). They have riboflavin and magnesium, which are great energy boosters that allow you to stay fresh the entire day. Not to forget, almonds increase your productivity at the workplace as well.

6. Get rid of that flab
Almonds can also help you shed kilos. These nuts have a variety of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, which are needed to curb your cravings for carbohydrates. And, it is these cravings, which lead to weight gain. So, having them is a good idea if you want to get rid of that extra flab.

Sleeping in a room with too much light can cause depression, psychologists claim.
Even just the glow from leaving the television on while you sleep can be enough to trigger the effect, say scientists.
Lack of darkness during sleeping hours can cause changes to the brain and depressive symptoms, according to animal studies.
Researchers believe staying up late to watch TV or go online might have the same impact on humans.
But the evidence also suggests the effects can be reversed by switching the lights off at night.

Hamsters used in the studies were exposed to dim light at night for four weeks.
The amount of lighting was equivalent to having a TV on in a darkened room.
Behavioural tests showed that hamsters exposed to light at night lacked energy and motivation.
They showed depressive symptoms, such as having less interest in sugary water which they normally enjoy.
Within two weeks of returning to a standard light-dark cycle, the hamsters appeared to have made a full recovery.

The findings, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, point to a link with rising rates of depression in humans over the past 50 years.

‘The results we found in hamsters are consistent with what we know about depression in humans,’ said neuroscientist Tracy Bedrosian, from Ohio State University in the US.

She added: ‘The good news is that people who stay up late in front of the television and computer may be able to undo some of the harmful effects just by going back to a regular light-dark cycle and minimising their exposure to artificial light at night. That’s what the results we found in hamsters would suggest.’

Hamsters exposed to round-the-clock dim light produced more of an immune system molecule in their brains called TNF, which is linked to inflammation.

Previous studies have shown a strong association between chronic inflammation and depression.
The animals also had fewer dendritic spines, hair-like growths on neurons used to send chemical messages from one cell to another.

In one experiment, hamsters were given a drug that suppresses TNF’s inflammatory effects.
Even when exposed to light at night, those animals remained free of depressive symptoms. However, the drug did not prevent the reduction of dendritic spine density.

You've probably considered a yoga class once or twice—maybe your girlfriend tried to convince you—but for one reason or another it never stuck and you're still skeptical. Consider, then, one huge bonus of the practice you may not be aware of: it can improve your sex life. Here's how it works: the key to yoga's claim on your sex drive is in the breathing technique used during yoga, pranayama. It releases the same chemicals in the brain as sex does, meaning you can leave the studio post-yoga with enhanced sexual desire. Plus, during your practice, certain postures increase blood flow to the pelvic region, lighting up your sexual response. The heart rate of yogis in deep meditative states can even mirror that of frenzied lovers. Maybe that's why Diplo, Colin Ferrell, and Sting are spotted with yoga mats slung over their shoulders. But the benefits are for everyone: regular yoga is linked to longer erections and doubled testosterone. You don't even need to go to a class to reap the benefits, either. Here are five poses you can do anywhere to get you started—in more ways than one.
VIA msn.com

1. Chair Pose



Chair pose engages your pelvic region by forcing you to lift your pelvic floor as you lower your tailbone. It's the same muscles that are used in Kegel exercises and it leads to more intense control of sexual organs.

Do it:

Start with your feet together, toes touching. Sit your hips back and reach your arms alongside your years, like you are about to sit in a chair. Lengthen your tailbone down to keep from crunching in the low back, lifting the pelvic floor to elongate the spine.


2. Squat Pose

© pixdeluxe/Getty Images



This deep squatting pose keeps pelvic joints healthy by forcing you to work your inner thigh muscles, pull up the pelvic floor, and engage your abdominals. It's also thought to stimulate your sex glands and spleen.

Do it:

From a standing position, place your feet hips-width distance apart with the toes turned out. Bring palms together in front of your heart, and slowly lower down toward the mat to come to hover just above the floor. Place your biceps just behind your knees to spread them wider and to help lengthen your spine, reaching your chest up to the sky.

3. Cobra Pose



© iStock/Getty Images



Cobra pose stretches out your sex organs and increases blood circulation to the reproductive organs.

Do it:

Lie on your stomach, feet together and pointed to the back of the room. Place your hands alongside your ribs for stability, press your pelvis into the mat, and use your back muscles to lift your chest off the mat. Gaze just six inches in front of you to keep from crunching your cervical spine in your neck. Try lifting your hands off of the mat to lift higher. Lower slowly.

4. Seated Wide-Legged Straddle

© amriphoto/Getty Images



This wide-legged forward fold increases libido by releasing tension in the groin muscles and heightening energy levels by signaling blood flow to the pelvic region.

Do it:

Extend each leg to a 45-degree angle from your hip joint and flex your feet. Take a deep breath in, lengthening the torso. On the exhale, fold forward, reaching for your toes. Keep the spine lengthened as if someone is pulling the crown of your head forward. Breath deeply into the crease created at your pelvis

CANADIAN researchers claim to have successfully used an electrical surgical technique to relieve severe mental depression in chronic cases.

A team of researchers at Toronto Western Hospital subjected 20 patients with severe depression to what they call deep brain stimulation (DBS).
The technique involved using electrical current to relieve depression.
By planting electrodes on the brain of these patients, the researchers passed current through them to jolt an area known as the sub-callosal cingulated gyrus (SCG) in the brain.
In the brains of those suffering from Major Depressant Disorder, the SCG has been found to be overactive.
The researchers found that deep brain stimulation (DBS), induced by the electrical current, relieved symptoms of depression in 60 per cent of their patients.

One month after the DBS, when these patients were subjected to depression tests, 35 per cent showed reduction in their depression symptoms.

But six months after the DBS, 60 per cent of them showed reduction in their depression symptoms even as 35 per cent suffered remission of symptoms.
The researchers found that patients on the mend showed marked improvement in their sleep and mood patterns.
Their appetite also returned as their anxiety symptoms eased.
The findings, published in the current issue of online journal Biological Psychiatry, estimate that 10 to 20 per cent of people suffer from Major Depressant Disorder.
Research shows that while some people are born with this disorder (caused by heightened brain activity or the SCG condition), others develop it later in life.

The new deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgical technique offers fresh hope for patients with Major Depressant Disorder as conventional medical and psychiatric treatment has failed to relieve their symptoms.
The Toronto hospital will continue its research in this area to know why some patients don't respond to the electrical surgical treatment

With the increase of everyday distractions, hectic lifestyles and easy-to-access stimulus such as phones and television, getting some decent shut-eye can be more troublesome than expected.

But it turns out that there are certain practices and habits that can be employed that can not only help you nod off quicker, but can actually improve the quality of your slumber.


1. SLEEP NAKED

As well heating you up too much, pyjamas can also be a distraction with tangled drawstrings, bunched-up bottoms and constrictive t-shirts. Ever heard of beauty sleep? Maintaining a cool body temperature allows anti-ageing hormone Melatonin to do its work - so shed those layers.

2. STOP SMOKING

While many people think that smoking before bed will help them to relax, in actual fact, puffing on a cigarette will do the opposite. The nicotine increases your heart rate and keeps the brain alert, which can be troublesome when you're aiming for an early night.

3. EAT A BANANA

The yellow fruit is a great natural source of sleep hormone, melatonin as well as amino acid tryptophan - which are all conducive in helping you reach the land of snooze. So munch away.

4. SWITCH OFF

Many people are guilty of checking their social media feeds right before bed, but the artificial light from TVs, phones and tablets act as a stimulant that disrupts the body's internal clock. So avoid at all costs especially when the lights are out.

5. HOT MILK

Yes, it may only seem like an old wives' tale, but drinking a glass of the warm stuff can actually help you drop off quicker. Dairy products are rich in sleep-inducing amino acid, tryptophan, and can contribute to the production of snooze chemicals, serotonin and melatonin.

6. TURN THE CLOCK AROUND

Another exercise that many are guilty of is watching the minute hand tick when struggling to get to sleep. We can't help but calculate how many hours we have left of sleep, which can heighten anxiety and make you less able to relax. Hide the alarm clock for a more effortless slumber.

7. TAKE A BATH

Body temperature naturally dips at night, so soaking in a hot tub and raising your temperature, followed by getting out and experiencing a rapid cool-down can automatically make you feel more sleepy come bedtime.

8. ESTABLISH A SLEEP ROUTINE

Setting bedtime routines and repeating them every night can help your body realise sleep is imminent, and will add to the drowsy factor. Activities such as laying out your pyjamas, making your lunch for the next day and even brushing your teeth can become sleep-conducive once they are incorporated into a routine.

9. NO CAFFEINE AFTER 2PM

Many people depend on coffee for that late afternoon pick-up, but it turns out that the caffeine content can be detrimental for getting shut eye later on. Caffeine stays in the body for eight hours, so avoid after 2pm, otherwise your brain will be prevented from entering deep sleep or even falling asleep all together.

10. STAY COOL

While many people will pile on the layers in the hopes that this warms them up and produces a deeper level of relaxation, being too hot can actually keep you awake. Slipping in between cool, fresh sheets can help trigger a drop in your temperature. This coolness signals for the body to produce melatonin, the hormone which induces sleep.

11. SPRAY SOME LAVENDER

The aroma of lavender has been proven to slow heart rates and blood pressure and it also has a relaxing effect. Sprinkle a few droplets on your pillow case or even in a hot bath before bed.

12. SET A SCHEDULE

Programme your body to sleep better by getting up at the same time every day and going to sleep at the same time everyday. This way your body is conditioned to feel more alert when you're ready to wake up, and more sleepy when you're ready to hit the hay.

13. BLOCK OUT THE NOISE

Whether its a snoring house mate or partying neighbours, loud noise is a distraction that can stop you from nodding off in the first place. If you live and sleep in noisy conditions, invest in a good pair of earplugs to ensure you don't wake up exhausted and cranky.

14. BLOCK OUT THE LIGHT

When the sun goes down and your body is submerged in darkness, it automatically starts producing sleep hormone, melatonin, which means your body feels less alert and sleep is more inviting.

Help your body with this process by investing in blackout curtains and switching off all power sources when going to bed. Invest in an eye-mask if necessary.

15. BREATHE DEEPLY

A big obstacle in being able to get some shut-eye is attempting to quieten down the mind. If this is a problem, observe breathing exercises, which not only calms down the nervous system and slows your heart rate, but also helps focus the mind on something else.

The 4-7-8 breathing exercise has proved very conducive in aiding sleep:

16. CHECK YOUR MATTRESS

Contrary to popular belief, a person's mattress type should depend on their needs: e.g. whether you have a problematic back or need something firmer or softer. Definitely replace your mattress every eight years in order to avoid lumpy and jutting springs, which can make going to bed an uncomfortable experience. Always ensure to do a 15-minute test in the store, which gives you a sufficient amount of time to test its comfort, and trial it on your stomach and your back.

17. CUT OUT BOOZE

Forget that cheeky nightcap, studies have revealed that although alcohol can help you fall asleep more quickly and more deeply for a while, it is more disruptive to your sleep cycle in the later part of the night. The consumption of alcohol can also cause pauses in your breathing, which can wake you up and keep you awake.

18. WRITE DOWN YOUR WORRIES

One major problem that stops us from nodding off is dwelling on certain things and playing back various scenarios in our heads. This anxiety can up our levels of stress and stop us from slumbering away. Writing down five of your worries before bed every night can help alleviate some of the pressure and help get some of the anxiety off your chest.

19. EXERCISE

Working out can help relieve stress and muscle tension, and even improve your mood - all helpful factors to improve relaxation. The best time to exercise is between 4-7pm, but ensure that it's not within four hours of your bedtime, as your body temperature and adrenaline levels will be too high to nod off.

20. LIMIT THE BED TO SLEEP AND SEX

Avoid shuffling paperwork or watching TV in bed. By reserving the bed for only sleep and sex, this conditions people to associate the sight and feel of their bed with sleep and relaxation more than anything else.

A man once dubbed 'the fattest man in the world' is set to travel to the States to have 45Kg of excess skin removed.

Paul Mason, 54, from Ipswich, Suffolk, is preparing for the operation in America after failing to get it in britain.

Once tipping the scales at 70 stone, Mr Mason managed to shed a mind-boggling 292Kg after gastric bypass surgery five years ago.