Everyone is aware of the cycles of the sun and moon. They give structure to our days, months, and seasons. But did you know that the sun and moon can influence your fertility?

When you are in sync with the earth’s natural rhythms and cycles you can boost your fertility. If you work against nature’s rhythms as many of us do, then you may be harming your delicate fertility balance.

Your biological clock is intimately linked to your reproductive system by utilizing the same hormones that trigger ovulation and sperm maturation. Therefore both women and men are affected by respecting or ignoring their natural rhythms.

Importance of Bright Light

Getting adequate sunlight or other full spectrum light during the day is key to optimum fertility for many reasons. Vitamin D is created in our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight and Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to infertility.

Adequate sunlight also helps regulate circadian rhythms which allow you to sleep better at night. Regular exposure to the sun also helps you maintain a strong immune system which is necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Women who get more sunlight also have consistent and stronger menstrual cycles.

Finally, bright light prevents your body from overproducing melatonin which suppresses fertility. This might explain why it is easier for women to conceive in southern regions and during the summer months.

Importance of Darkness and Full-moon Light

Many researchers believe that prior to the introduction of electricity into our homes, all women menstruated during the new moon and ovulated during the full moon. This has been proven by studying cultures today that do not use electricity. Women in these cultures sleep in close to total darkness except for the days surrounding the full moon.

The small amount of light from the full moon is enough to halt melatonin production long enough for ovulation to occur. Most women can synchronize with the cycles of the moon in about three to four months by altering the light level while they sleep. Coordinating menstruation not only strengthens your cycle in many ways but it also makes it much easier to pinpoint the optimal timing for intercourse.

Darkness also plays an important role in optimal fertility by triggering melatonin, on most dark nights, which leads to a good nights sleep. Just make sure to prevent overproduction with bright light in the morning.

Deep sleep helps restore and rejuvenate the reproductive system. Lack of sleep can increase cortisol levels, lead to an increased use of caffeine and other fertility reducing substances, disrupt your hormone balance, cause depression which in itself can affect fertility or can lead to relationship problems with your partner. In extreme cases sleep deprivation can stop ovulation altogether.

How to synchronize with nature’s cycles

Get at least one hour of bright sunlight a day

Try to get bright light soon after waking

Use full spectrum indoor bulbs during the winter months

Use a light simulation device 15-30 minutes first thing in the morning and once at night(particularly in winter)

Aim for total darkness at night. Use room darkening shades. Avoid the use of any lights whatsoever

On the three days of the full moon, try to bathe yourself in soft light while you sleep. A light from a closet, a 75-100 watt nightlight or even opening your blinds to the street light should do the trick.

Try to go to sleep with sun and get up with the sun. You might be surprised if you do not use lights or TV, how sleepy you get.

Make love during the full moon

Keep sleep and wake times consistent and avoid shift work. If you are tracking your ovulation signs, then you should taking your basal body temperature at the same time every morning anyway.

Efforts to conceive can be challenging and heartbreaking. The fertility enhancing methods mentioned here are easy, free, and painless. They will boost your overall health as well as your fertility so if you are trying to conceive it can only help and not hurt to synchronize your cycles with the earth.

Sheryl Lyon
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/boost-your-fertility-while-you-sleep-67114.html

People who are overweight, or worse obese, face consequences which have the ability to become a daily nightmare. For some it is their lifestyle choices which has led them to become obese, others perhaps have gathered the extra weight through no fault of their own.

To live this overweight and obese life can be difficult, people have to face every new day with the fear of prejudice from others making it hard to live in the world which demands perfection and looks down upon them. It’s a sad reality that many people have to face, a reality which comes at a great personal cost.

A persons self image and their self esteem depends almost entirely on how other people perceive them, or perhaps how other people perceive them. It is very hard to totally ignore the criticism and not care about the opinions of others. With excess weight, of course, the more you weight the harder it will get. People will stare at you no matter where you go, not to mention the snickering and jokes are a surefire way of helping to lower you self esteem.

Unfortunately this can often led to a self destructive circle leading people to become depressed and complacent with their weight which can lead to more weight gain. Obese people may stop going out doors, therefore they receive less exercise, which leads to weight gain, which lead to less exercise and so forth. This low self esteem has the ability to manifest itself in a way which makes it increasingly difficult for a person to motivate themselves in order to make an improvement in their life.

Relationships can be very difficult for obese people to enjoy when they are overweight. Sex can be become awkward with couples becoming self conscious about their bodies. The extra weight in the bedroom can make performing very difficult and excessive sweating is probably not the sexiest thing either. If they don’t already have a partner it can be difficult for obese people to find a lover. The fact that they do not go out to social events as often as they should coupled with their low self esteem often results in many people giving up.

If you want to deal with your obesity problem you need to motivate yourself. But even then motivation may not be enough, outside support is mandatory. Other people helping you can make the difference between succeeding and failing, these people also often stop you from eating that extra food you should be avoiding.

Food addiction can be a very difficult thing to overcome; when someone who eats a lot first cuts back the body can have withdrawal symptoms from sugars and fats, often leading to depression. The extra support around for this week or two can make a world of difference.

Becoming obese is the easiest part but now you have to lose those pounds and this is the hard part. It will be a struggle at first, but you need to stay strong, the health, social and emotional benefits of the new you will be unbelievable. A life of less food and more exercise sounds scary to a lot of people but it doesn’t have to be, if you make sure you have good support it will be easier to achieve this goal. Just think how good you will feel when you look into the mirror and walk down the street with your new body and new confidence.

More than 1 in 4 people will become overweight in their lifetime, don’t let this be you.

Daniel Millions
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/obesity-and-your-life-121257.html

Sleep disorders are everywhere today, no matter who you are, you probably have or are suffering from one. Sometimes, you can be suffering from a sleep disorder and not even know that you have one. Anything that disrupts the sleep patterns in your life is a sleep disorder. If they are not treated, they can actually cause other problems and disorders that can interfere with your psychological and emotional wellbeing. So, what are some of the most common sleep disorders that people suffer from and what do you need to look for? Here is a small list to help you recognize a sleep disorder in yourself or loved one:

Insomnia – This disorder is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep and affects millions of people world wide. This is by far the most common sleep problem.

Narcolepsy – The disorder of falling asleep at any time or place without knowing or wanting to.

Night terrors – The disorder where the person wakes up abruptly and is completely terrified of something in his or her dreams. This disorder goes hand in hand with sleepwalking.

Bruxism – The disorder of involuntarily grinding ones teeth during sleep.

Jet lag – The temporary disorder where one has trouble sleeping and getting back into a pattern after traveling quickly across time zones.

Restless legs syndrome – This disorder makes the sleeper move his or her legs involuntarily during sleeping. The sleeper usually has a strong urge to constantly move his or her legs during the night without wanting to.

Rapid eye movement behavior disorder – While this is not quite a common sleep disorder, the occurrences of it are rising. This disorder causes the sleeper to act out violently or dramatically their dreams while they are sleeping.

Sleep apnea – This disorder is caused by an obstruction of the sleeper’s airway during sleep, causing them to stop breathing for a few seconds.

Sleepwalking – This disorder causes the sleeper to do activities that they normally do while awake, such as walking, dressing, and eating, without knowing that they are doing the action.

There are literally thousands of sleep disorders that people all over the world suffer from They range from extremely mild to violent, if not controlled. If you are experiencing any type of sleep disorder, you should consult your doctor immediately to begin a treatment to help you sleep better at night. Most treatments begin with an over the counter remedy and can move up to prescriptions and testing to make sure that there is no underlying problem in the sleeper’s brain. There is no need to worry about a sleep disorder, as most are easily treated and usually go away on their own. If left untreated, these can begin to cause problems with motor functions, concentration, and other areas of your life during the day.

You can find out more about all the different sleeping disorders that plague people all over the world by searching through medical web sites on the Internet or by talking with your doctor. Both may be able to offer some great home remedies or over the counter help to get you sleep soundly once more.

Jerry Cahill
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/common-sleep-disorders-that-can-plague-anyone-76281.html

How to detox for a healthier life

Detoxification is a way of assisting your body to rid itself of the toxins stored in your tissues. Detoxification can clean the body of accumulated toxins helping us to regain energy and to function better; we need to remember that detoxification is not one single event but part of an ongoing process. Gradual change is better than a sharp short shock when it comes to detox. This involves eating more healthy, less processed foods, cutting down or eliminating fast foods, caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol and drugs. An organic diet, drinking lots of water and getting regular exercise all help to facilitate the detox process.

Herbs offer a short and reasonably gentle way to aid detoxification. Many herbs not only detox but also stimulate the metabolism and increase blood flow to vital tissue, for example, antifungal herbs prohibit the growth of yeasts that can cause candida, and anti-oxidants help protect against free radicals.

People nearly always mention fasting when you detox. This is not always beneficial or needed. Fasting does not mean refraining from eating or drinking and it does not have to be depressing or austere. I would not recommend fasting for longer than 24 hours, and during this time you must drink as much fluid as possible. Anyone thinking of fasting must be in good health. It not recommended for young children, the elderly, the chronically ill, those suffering from a serious disease, anyone addicted to drugs or alcohol or who has been exposed to dangerous chemicals. In any of these cases consult a qualified health practitioner first – the same goes for pregnant or breast-feeding women.

When we detoxify we need to take life more gently, it is a time to reflect about the emotional and physical reason that may have caused the toxins, it’s a time to confront these reasons and make the changes necessary to stop future toxin build up. This is a time to treat your body and relax your mind. Take a massage, do yoga, have a sauna, mineral baths or an herbal wrap -all of these help with the detoxification process.

Herbs to use for detoxing

Natural Laxatives and diuretics

While you are fasting it is important to keep your kidneys working well as they are extremely important in the process of eliminating toxins.

Juniper berries (Juniperus communis) strengthen and detoxify the kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract. As a word of warning do not use juniper berries long term but from time to time and when you may have a kidney infection it works extremely well as a cleanser. Nettle (Urtica dioica) is an extremely good diuretic as is burdock root that is very similar to the nettle in its gentle diuretic actions.

Psyllium husks and seeds (Plantago indica, P. ovata and P. psyllium) are good gentle natural laxative. It is also adaptogenic and makes a good treatment for Irritable Bowel syndrome. Liquorice root -”the great harmoniser” in Chinese medicine, is mildly laxative and good from nourishing the adrenal glands. Alfalfa sprouts are also a good all round laxative.

Detox the liver

Milk thistle (Carduus marianus syn. Silybum marianum) and dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) help to cleanse and strengthen the liver. Milk thistle contains silymarin, which is believed to help with liver regeneration as well as being an antioxidant, while Dandelion root also helps remove waste from both the liver and the gallbladder. Milk thistle is a natural antioxidant.

Lymphatic system

One function of the lymphatic system is to remove waste from cells, many people believe that cellulite is a symptom of inadequate lymphatic drainage. The following are the best herbs, in essential oil form, to stimulate the lymphatic system and draw toxins out from under the skin. Basil (Ocimum basilicum), thyme (Thymus vulgarus but use carefully as it can be irritating to the skin), celery (Apium graveolens), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), and lemon (Citrus limon).

Blend three of these different oils, for a total of fifteen to twenty drops, in one ounce of carrier oil and use for massage or skin brushing.

Good luck!

Davinos Greeno
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/herbal-detox-for-health-121682.html

If you are someone who regularly takes sleeping pills to get a good night’s sleep, here’s a question for you – have you ever considered trying natural cures for insomnia? If you haven’t, you should definitely consider trying them. There are some very good homeopathic remedies available to treat insomnia and you’ll be surprised to know that they are far more effective and safer than the sleeping pills you take.

First of all, you should know that insomnia is not as bad as you think. It is not a disease, but a symptom of a sleeping disorder. Usually, people do not get a good night’s sleep when their mind is preoccupied with something. It’s a psychological, rather than a physical problem. Stress, depression, and anxiety are the most common causes of insomnia. Physical exhaustion can be another reason, but this is usually only temporary. When your physical system heals itself and you are fully rested, your natural sleep rhythm will re-establish itself. To sum up, the main cause of insomnia is a psychological one. There are perfectly good natural insomnia cures available to treat this problem.

Natural homeopathic blends are completely non habit forming, unlike sleeping pills. You can take them regularly until you develop a very healthy, normal sleep – wake pattern. These cures usually contain herbal extracts which can relax your body and mind and help you get a good night’s sleep. Homeopathic remedies can be safely taken over the longer term as they have no side effects. If you take sleeping pills on a regular basis for any length of time, you’ll experience withdrawal symptom when you try and stop. With these natural cures for insomnia, you do not have to worry about all these problems.

One of the biggest differences between sleeping pills and these natural remedies is the way they work. While the former acts as a sedative and offers only temporary relief, the latter has a calming effect and offers a permanent relief. In short – natural insomnia cures are typically better and, more importantly, safer than sleeping pills.

Now, you might have a question – why homeopathy in particular? It’s a good question. There is a significant reason for choosing homeopathic remedies. To start with they are safe, being almost completely free from side effects. You cannot say the same about other types of natural remedies. Even herbal medications are not that safe when compared to homeopathy.

Herbal remedies tend to react with other medications and can cause some serious side effects. However homeopathic medications may safely be taken with any other type of medication. They do not interact or react in any way. This is why homeopathy is widely considered to be the correct option when treating insomnia.

Sleep is one of the most important factors that determine your health. More importantly, however, your sleep should be natural and not artificially induced by sleeping pills. Natural remedies are far more effective, safer, and they give you the best results. So consider relaxing your body and mind by changing to natural cures for insomnia. You’ll sleep better and, above all, stay healthier.

Wendy Owen
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/want-a-permanent-solution-for-your-sleep-problems-natural-cures-for-insomnia-are-the-answer-832240.html