Tag: morning

CIDER VINEGAR NATURAL PRODUCTS BENEFITS – Apple Cider Vinegar – Virtues Apple Vinegar Cider

CIDER VINEGAR NATURAL PRODUCTS BENEFITS – Apple Cider Vinegar – Virtues Apple Vinegar Cider

CIDER VINEGAR NATURAL PRODUCTS BENEFITS

« Apple in the morning keeps the doctor away … « 

At read the literature on the subject, cider vinegar is a blessing of the gods
to cure and relieve almost all the ills of the earth. You already get my sarcasm is not it …


cider vinegar

 

Well according to studies on the subject, cider vinegar
took first place in the home remedies for treating a
host of ailments, from arthritis to dry skin.

Some properties that give it:

  • -fight tires and insomnia

  • Restores energy

  • Aid in the treatment of arthritis

  • – Helps digestion

  • – Relieves sore throat and laryngitis

  • – Relieves symptoms of asthma or flu

  • – Helps maintain healthy skin and reduce signs of aging

As a biologist by training, my first reaction was of course skeptical. No, but what is the relationship between all these evils, that cause physiologically, cider vinegar has an action so varied?

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The Cider vinegar is rich in minerals (particularly potassium,
chlorine, calcium, sulfur, iron, fluorine, silicon), vitamins, acids
amino acids and trace elements. Many of the evils mentioned above may
indeed be created by mineral deficiency.

As for our topic here (but your beauty my dear!), Cider vinegar is made to set out on the many uses skin. We may add to its properties by steeping them plants (watch out for impatient, however, must wait 6 weeks to filter through and use it): one that creates an all-in-vinegar is delicious for salads, but also a precious fluid for use in the manufacture of toners, masks, wash hair (especially if you use handmade soap, which tends to dull the hair by leaving residues).

Obviously, the apple cider is very acidic, so you have to go sparingly if you have a tendency to react to fruit acids, for example. I had the unpleasant experience of having her face all puffy the morning after a shock treatment with cider vinegar, so be wiser and dilute it in water or do a « patch text » prior to go big …

Here below follows an excellent text that I found on the topic: even before I read the site, I had already made something similar!
Incredible!

 

It are several ways to use cider vinegar. The most used
is to drink as a beverage that is very refreshing:
two tablespoons of cider vinegar to a glass of water
possibly supplemented with one or two tablespoons of honey (to
early one can start with one tablespoon of vinegar and
honey). There are also apple cider vinegar capsules, sold
pharmacy or health food stores. People
who adopt this choice should however be aware that it is
important to drink at least a full glass of water with the intake of
caplets. For sinus problems, headaches and colds, it can
inhalations make cider vinegar. Two to three tablespoons
cider vinegar to a large bowl of boiling water. Se
cover your head above the bowl and inhale the fumes. Can
also use cider vinegar for a relaxing bath. A large
glass of cider vinegar in the bathwater.

FinallyHere is the recipe for the famous 4 thieves vinegar.
Lhas Legend has it that in France, in 1726, four thieves took advantage of
the plague to steal with impunity the belongings of people
having succumbed to the dreaded disease.
When they were finally apprehended, the judge offered them a lesser sentence in exchange for the secret that had been immune to the contagion of the evil feared. They told they anointed the body of a composition of vinegar to protect themselves and drank daily.

  • 20 g of rosemary
  • 20 g of lavender
  • 20 g of sage
  • 30 g ground cinnamon
  • 20 g of thyme
  • 20 g of mint
  • 30 g cloves
  • 20 g of wormwood
  • 30 g garlic
  • 5 g of camphor
  • 20 g street
  • 20 g of citric acid
  • 1 L of cider vinegar

Marinate at least 15 days. Then filtered and kept in the dark.

Used for flu 1 teaspoon in a glass of water several times
per day. To disinfect wounds and rubbing against the
aches. It is an antiseptic in case of epidemic diseases
contagious. It can be rubbed on the body

For more information on apple cider vinegar there are excellent books, including the comprehensive book Manon Desrocher, nd « the cider vinegar, my passion … his virtues. »

The virtues of apple cider vinegar for my skin …

Very rich in all kinds of nutrients, using apple cider vinegar
to keep skin soft, youthful and radiant with health. You must
But make sure you have in your possession a vinegar
apple cider craft which must come from organic farming and
be 100% pure, unpasteurized and is aged in oak barrels. Vinegar
cider you use n
e must not contain more than 4.5% acid
acetate. It should not be filtered or pasteurized and must be a
light golden color and clear. A vinegar made so
industry is ready in a few days, so it does not sufficiently
time to ferment, thus depriving him of all wealth
vitamin and mineral.

The pH of apple cider vinegar, with astringent, is very similar
to that of the skin, making it a beauty product effective and low
expensive. It is excellent for oily and problematic. Cons
Benign juvenile acne or any other kind of buttons, it warns
the emergence of co
mEdon. In addition, tightening the pores, it
contributes to slowing the aging of the skin by its action
anti-oxidant.

Another quality cider vinegar is to erase all traces of
soap and cancel all limescale and chlorine content in
water and leave the unpleasant feeling of tightness or
tingling. Simply pour warm water in the sink and there
add a teaspoon or two of cider vinegar flavored
taste. Everyone can make their vinegar toilet
from a good cider vinegar, diluted with water and
flavored with herbs or flower essences.

The Cider Vinegar can be compared favorably with any creams or
firming masks called minute, the cost is exorbitant. It
is to use it exactly like one of those products, by mode
Job: On a perfectly cleansed skin, apply its
toilet favorite vinegar undiluted and expand its makeup
immediately.

Here are some easy recipes to enhance the brightness of your face and your hair:

Moisturizing cream
45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil
45 ml (3 tbsp) of oil, wheat germ
45 ml (3 tbsp) sunflower oil
45 ml (3 tbsp) cider vinegar

4 egg yolks
The ingredients should be at room temperature.
Mix the oil, beat the egg yolks and slowly add the
oils, stirring. Stir in cider vinegar and stir. Put
Then in a small jar and refrigerate.
Use this cream to moisturize your skin.

Facemask
Incorporate three large strawberries crushed to 1 cup cider vinegar and let stand for 2 hours. Remove the excess vinegar and apply on face and neck before bed. Rinse
awakening. This mask nourishes skin and removes pimples and
black.

Calming mask for sensitive skin
60 ml (4 tablespoons) of oatmeal
15 ml (1 tbsp) cider vinegar
45 ml (3 tbsp) water
Dilute the vinegar in water, then mix with flour, so
a thick paste (add a little flour if necessary).
Apply evenly on face and keep it until the whole
be dry. Then wash your face with warm water. Flush with his
favorite recipe for apple cider vinegar.

Pigment spots
Stir in 1c. teaspoon onion juice to 2c. tsp cider vinegar
and apply the stain with a cloth. Stains
should fade within weeks. (Since it does not feel
very good, it is better to apply before going to bed!)

Dandruff
The Apple cider vinegar eliminates dandruff and makes hair silky and
brilliant. After each shampoo, hair rinse with 2 cups
hot water spiked with a half-cup of cider vinegar. What
easy!

Combat l’obésité (le journal scientifique « The Medical World » a publié un rapport signalant son  efficacité dans l’amaigrissement à
raison de 1 kilo par mois selon les tests en consommant 40 gr/jour de vinaigre !!!), le Parkinson et l’hypertension

NATURAL PRODUCTS KILL HEAD LICE Natural Infallible Recipe for « Kill Head Lice » with the oil of tea tree Melaleuca

NATURAL PRODUCTS KILL HEAD LICE Natural Infallible Recipe for « Kill Head Lice » with the oil of tea tree Melaleuca

NATURAL PRODUCTS KILL HEAD LICE NATURAL PRODUCTS « KILL HEAD LICE » WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A TREATMENT INFALLIBLE

NATURAL PRODUCTS KILL HEAD LICE

HEAD LICE

Treatment non-toxic lice cons # 1:
2 parts olive oil
1 part white vinegar to equal 1 / 2 cup
20 drops of Tea tree oil
20 drops of essential oil lavender
10 drops of essential oil of rosemary

Mix thoroughly and saturate hair with the solution.
Save the rest for the night. Let sit overnight and wash in the morning. Paint with a comb lice to be sure to remove the nits, which can be attached to the axis of the hair.

NATURAL PRODUCTS KILL HEAD LICE

HEAD LICE

 

Treatment non-toxic # 2 against lice
¾ cup hot water
20 drops Melaleuca oil Their tea tree ,
Mix with shampoo and apply directly to hair and let sit 2 shampoos rubbing the hair length from top to bottom if it’s a long hair except let it rest on a hair short at least 10 to 15 minutes
(More applications repeatedly until you are sure the lice and nits have completely disappeared)
It is an alternative treatment that has been tried and proven.

Around the House:

The bedding and towels should be washed with hot water and soap, wool hats with borax and water as hot, soapy water and dried at least 20 minutes in the dryer to be sure that all the nits on the hair fell and killed.
Vacuum all surfaces where children lie or play (including toys). Discard the bag.
Routinely wipe clean with warm water and melaleuca oil any surface « all the places used in everyday life, blankets, sheets, pillows mettrent simply quarantined for 10 to 14 days after all have vacuumed.
Remember, never apply synthetic chemical poisons says pesticide in places frequented the arcades, on toys or furniture surfaces. Store all other exposed items in bags for 2 weeks or dry clean. Do not forget to vacuum the car and all the furniture (upholstered).
Wipe your hand or discard all objects which have traveled slow, hair clips, grooming combs, brushes, carefully follow the movements nits or lice traveled, combs, scissors, use a magnifying glass or a light Scottish bright. Then disinfect by soaking these items and other hair ornaments, combs and brushes in boiling water with some drops of tea tree oil.

Fully test all family members at the same time and treat only those infected and then everyone without exception!
At school each child should be examined in the morning before having leave to return to class by someone experienced in the examination of hair to see if there are any lice, nits, or eggs of all at a time. Whoever checks the condition of hair will do it with sticks lice (usually these are wooden sticks and cheap as you throw in a plastic bag that you seal off and discard) – a new pair of sticks for each child is paramount. It is certain that the review applied to a child with fingers is a good way to spread lice or nits on another person immediately whether a child or an adult.

Children with lice should be sent home to be treated urgently.

Children’s clothing (hats, scarves, and coats) should be separately bagged, not hung side by side, using plastic bags, until all children are disinfected for at least two weeks.

Ensure that things like « clothing is not shared, because lice like hats, combs, brushes and love permeate all equipment like batting helmets, headphones, music, it should never be shared in emergencies by an infestation of lice.

 

HYPNOS BEDS MATTRESS whith the NATURAL FIBRE completely organic and Pocket Coil Mattress HYPNOS Are Best in the World – Mattresses patented the court of England – Canada Hypnos Mattress Available LAVAL Quebec CANADA

HYPNOS BEDS MATTRESS whith the NATURAL FIBRE completely organic and Pocket Coil Mattress HYPNOS Are Best in the World – Mattresses patented the court of England – Canada Hypnos Mattress Available LAVAL Quebec CANADA

HYPNOS BEDS MATTRESS

The Hypnos Story

Peter Keen
GEORGE HENRY KEEN
(1860-1926)

HYPNOS BEDS MATTRESS
Hypnos has years of success behind the family-run company and has been producing handmade beds for over four generations – beds that have given countless nights of comfortable sleep to many thousands of people. Proud holders of two Royal Warrants, the Hypnos philosophy of quality and comfort is maintained throughout their product range. The Chairman, Peter Keen is the great grandson of the original founder and the product has been hand-crafted using traditional methods from the very first day of existence.

Handmade BedsDeep pocket-spring beds are the trademark of Hypnos, elegant handmade beds which are still produced by craftsmen, many of whom have worked at Hypnos since their apprenticeship and who all take a great personal pride in the skilled work that goes into producing each Hypnos bed. The skills used by these craftsmen have been handed down through generations and the art of making a quality bed lives on from father to son, mother to daughter, through Hypnos.

Hypnos beds are still made in a similar way to those slept on by our fathers and grandfathers. Every detail on a Hypnos bed is considered from the natural fillings in the mattresses, to the specially balanced springs in the Royal box, to the expertly cut high quality Belgium damask cloths, to the selected soft and hard woods, to the fine handmade wool tufts. Considered, tried and tested producing the ultimate in comfort, quality and craftsmanship.

Choosing a bed is a very personal decision and one not to be undertaken lightly. When you consider that up to a third of your life will be spent in bed, it only makes sense to spend that time in Royal Comfort. At Hypnos, we make that perfect bed to suit your specific needs, for a supportive and restful nights sleep.
Manufacturing Process

History of the Royal Warrant

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II

To be a Warrant holder you must first supply the Royal Household with unrivalled quality products or services for five consecutive years. The Lord Chamberlain (head of the Royal households) advises the grantors on the granting of Royal Warrants but the final decision rests with the grantor concerned. Thereafter the Warrant is reviewed every five years. Hypnos has been handcrafting the finest bespoke mattresses for two Royal Warrant holders. Queen Elizabeth II and The Late Queen Mother.

To this day only the finest quality products are associated with the Royal Warrants and Hypnos is extremely proud to have carried the Royal Warrants of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and The Late Queen Mother for over 37 years. To be honoured by two Royal Households is unprecedented. Other Royal Warrant holders include; Rolls Royce & Bentley Motorcars, Dunlop, Aston Martin, Burberry Limited, Royal Doulton, Jaguar Motorcars, Austin Reed Group PLC, Steinway & Sons and Land Rover & Range Rover.

Hypnos Mattress Benefit Information

Handcrafting – Hypnos is the only truly handcrafted mattress in Canada.

Genuine Side Stitching: The borders of Hypnos mattress are expertly sewn through the sides to the coil system. This is a very time consuming process but the end results are well worth while. This procedure makes a Hypnos mattress the most structurally sound mattress available in Canada.

Hand Tufting: Unlike other tufted looking mattresses in Canada, Hypnos tufts go through the entire body of the mattress. This means the tuft you see on the top is connected to the one on the bottom. Adding another layer of structural integrity and helping the natural fills stay in place.

Matching Fabric Trim: Most mattresses use a very hard pre-fabricated tape edge to give a finish to the corner. Hypnos uses the same fabric as the body of the bed. This means a very soft and luxurious finish even to the edges.

Pure Brass: many other companies put brass coated finishes on their products so they will look elegant. Only Hypnos uses solid brass plates and vents for strength and longevity of life.

Natural Fill – Hypnos uses only the finest of natural fills

Cotton and Wool are strategically placed and combined for complete climate control. Warmth in the winter and cool in the summer.

Silk and Wool let you feel like you are floating on a cloud, most say a feeling like you have never had with a mattress.

Teased White Hair and Cashmere is a unique blend of Cattle, Hog tail and Cashmere that is designed to keep its shape even after many years of service. This blend of hair is heat treated to be completely clean, then bonded to give the long life shape retention.

Belgium Damask is not only luxurious looking but the one of the most tightly woven upholstery materials available to the bedding industry and is custom made just for Hypnos.

Body Support – Unique pocket coil design for true complete body support

Coil Counts: most pocket coil systems in Canada have about 500 to 800 coils in a queen size mattress. Hypnos starts over 1,000 coils and goes to over 2,000 individual pocket coils. Some other companies claim coil counts of this amount, however they typically stack coils on top of coils to accomplish this. Hypnos only uses individually wrapped full height coil for complete and perfect body forming support.

Honey Combing: Hypnos is one of the few companies that honeycomb (nest) their pocket coils together virtually eliminating the gaps between coils. This give you maximum body support no matter how you lay or how small an area you need supported.

Centre Tying: most coil manufactures connect their pocket coils together at the top in one form or another. Even the coil is still independent as one coil moves it moves the one beside it. Hypnos runs treads through the middle of its coil system allowing the tops to totally work independently of each other, again giving you perfect body support for every little curve.

Firmness

Firmness vs Support: Often firmness and support are confused. Medical research has shown that it is proper support, not firmness, that cares for your muscle aches and pains. Further proper support will keep your spinal column in a straight line, in turn giving you a good nights sleep and physical well being. Hypnos’ unique coil structure is designed with this in mind. It will give you the support and comfort you need, for a good nights sleep and keep those morning aches away.

Firmness: Hypnos further offers their coils in different firmness’. This is so no matter what your body build is, there is a Hypnos mattress for you.

Dust Mite Control

Belgium Damask: The average person loses 11 pounds of skin per year. Our extremely tight woven Belgium Damask almost eliminates the dead skin from penetrating into the bed. Without this dead skin Dust Mites do not have the food they need to survive.

Natural Fills: Our unique combination of natural materials produces an enviroment that Dust Mites do not like and works as a natural Dust Mite inhibitor.

Moisture Control: It is a very well know fact that Dust Mites thrive in a moist warm setting. Hypnos mattresses are designed to breath, keeping them clean and dry inside for years and in turn eliminating a Dust Mites prefered residence.

Mold & Mildew Control

Natural Fills: Most mattresses in Canada use a combinations of different types of foams. Some are even completely foam. The average person loses about 1 cup of moisture each evening. This inevitably moves into your mattress. Foam is like a big sponge which absorbs and holds that moisture. Mold and mildew quickly builds up and creates an unhealthy sleeping environment. Natural fills breath taking that moisture from you.

Brass Airvents: After the Natural fills move the moisture way from you. As you move around the bed the individual coils push that moisture out the brass airvents. In a nutshell your bed breaths like no other so it can stay clean and healthy for a long time.

Asthma friendly

NO FOAMS: With no foams, Hypnos mattresses do not give off that petroleum gas that other mattresses do. Right from day one, foams start breaking down giving off a gas that can seriously effect the breathing of sensitive individuals. Further one of memory foams natural properties is to trap heat. They are often found to be too warm and uncomfortable.

Other Gases: Dust mites themselves do not really harm us. However the gas emitted from their faescies can become a serious issue. With Hypnos’ natural Dust Mite control this problem is minimized.

Effects from Mold & Mildew: Many asthmatics are extremely sensitive to Molds and Mildew. Because Hypnos mattresses stray extremely clean inside with its natural breathing, making it the cleanest mattress in Canada.

Common Questions and Answers

Q: Does Hypnos use Horse Hair?

A: Hypnos knows many people are allergic to Horse and this is why we use a combination of Cattle and Hog tail that has been sanitized.

Q: Does a Hypnos mattress need to be flipped?

A: Yes, especially because it is all natural it is important to flip and rotate the mattress as per the Care instructions. This will let the mattress provide you with a long and comfortable life.

Q: Is the Damask a natural material?

A: Yes, the Damask is made from natural Rayon, derived from wood pulp.

Q: Since there is no foam will the bed show body impressions?

A: Hypnos takes many steps to reduce the occurrence of body impresses. First they over fill the entire mattress then during the Tufting process pre pack the fills to the finished size you see. Next the tufts help keep the fills from moving around and leaving sagged areas. Last the unique combination of fills helps to keep everything the way they should be.

Q: Can you sleep on the edges?

A: Unlike other mattresses we do not have any solid foams and block on the edges on the mattress. However we do have butterfly edge supports and an edge to edge coil system. You should be able to comfortably sleep on the edges. You many feel a slight rolling at the beginning however this is subside in a short period as the fills settle.

Q: What are the different sizes of mattresses?

A: Hypnos makes its mattresses in 3 standard sizes, King, Queen and Single XL. Hypnos can also make custom sizes, including Doubles. Please call your local retailer for more information.

Q: Are there different size box springs (bases)?

A: Yes, with Hypnos you can have different types of boxsprings.

  • 1. Royal Pocket Coil base. This industry unique product has over 1000 pocket coils on the top, queen, to give the ultimate in comfort to you mattress. These coils are supported by 1″ thick Aspen wood, over 2 times the thickness most manufactures use. All is covered by matching fabric and elegant cording. Height of the Unit is about 11″. This incredible product comes standard on the Eminence and optional on the Empress.
  • 2. Royal Coil base or Weblock base. These boxes are more common with other manufactures best models. They are finished with matching fabric and cording. Height of the unit is about 8″. Standard for the Empress, Wendover and Magnolia. Optional for Eminence.
  • 3. Low Profile base. Built for those who wish or need a lower overall height. These use a Lock-fast module for strength and long term endurance. Finished with matching fabric and cording. Height is just under 7″. Optional on all models.
  • 4. Split bases for Queen mattresses. These units are available in reinforced wood semiflex and Weblock only. They are finished with matching fabric and cording. Height is about 8″ and is optional on all models.

Royal Comfort Collection

View the Royal Comfort Collection Brochure

Eminence
Eminence
Empress
Empress
Wendover
Wendover
Magnolia
Magnolia

Castle Collection

View the Castle Series Brochure

Helmsley
Helmsley
Carlisle
Carlisle

Sherbourne

Sherbourne

VITAMIN C, Vitamin our VITALITY!

VITAMIN C, Vitamin our VITALITY!

According to many experts, the consumption of Vitamin C would be for most people too low. To keep you in good health and have effective protection against disease, researchers estimate that the Recommended Dietary vitamin C shouldbe at least 200 mg per day!

1. What are the advantages of an adequate intake of Vitamin C?

The vitamin is known for fighting;

* colds
* Fatigue
* Stress
* Prevent heart disease
* Cataracts
* Macular degeneration
* Anti-carcinogenic

But that’s not all!

We know the benefits of this valuable vitamin in strengthening the immune system. It contributes notably to the formation of red blood cells while helping toiron absorption in plants.

But did you know that:

* Vitamin C also contributes to improved wound healing.
* At an antioxidant function – very important – in the fight against free radicals,which attack precisely those cells, responsible for your aging.
* It helps to produce collagen, a protein essential for the formation of connective tissue of the skin? And yes ladies, your skin also depends on your takingenough Vitamin C …

Where to find sufficient amounts of Vitamin C?

Be aware that fruits and vegetables are the main source of vitamin C. It should be consumed raw mainly because the vitamin can not stand cooking.

It is found mainly in:

* Broccoli
* Strawberry
* Lemon
* Tomato
* Orange
* Raspberries
* Grapefruit
* Parsley
* The kiwi

1. Anticancer activity!

The scientist, Linus Pauling, Nobel laureate said that two large doses of Vitamin C at a rate of 2 g or more per day, were able to fight againstcarcinogenesis. It was noted in particular that was a help and an adjuvant to chemotherapy against cancer.

Another study of 85,000 nurses who were followed for 16 years, hasdemonstrated this surprising. Two groups were evaluated. One not takingadditional vitamin C, the other yes. However, the group that consumed thevitamin C supplement showed increased protection against coronary heart disease.

Finally, nine other studies on 290 000 men and women conducted in 2004showed that an intake (700 mg over 10 years) Vitamin C 25% reduced risk ofcoronary heart disease.

1. Little practical advice:

Do not overcook your vegetables and keep food warm. Preparation is moresophisticated and cooked vegetables, more food starting loses vitamin C.Prefer baking potatoes, such as steam or twists. Freshly squeezed orange juiceevery morning, or better yet, a kiwi, already provide on their own half of our daily requirement of vitamin C. A healthy balanced diet should be enough to give usthe required dose. But in some cases it may be called to take charge. Know for example that smokers have a special need for vitamin C, each consuming 25mg cigarette

Well … to your plate to not grow old!

SLEEP WELL History and Sociology of the SLEEP make your night a DEEP SLEEP

SLEEP WELL History and Sociology of the SLEEP make your night a DEEP SLEEP

SLEEP WELL History and sociology of the sleep

SLEEP WELL History and Sociology of the SLEEP make your night a DEEP SLEEP I have two gods, you and sleep, the two of you mean everything to me.
Goethe to Charlotte van Stein

SLEEP WELL

SLEEP WELL


1. « Four out of ten Belgians sleep badly« 

Source: Het Nieuwsblad 5-10-2004
Why do we actually still sleep? Of all primates, the human being already sleeps least. Did, a century ago, Thomas Edison not contend that with the invention of electricity and artificial light, sleeping in fact becomes unnecessary? Indeed, having to go to sleep because it is too dark to go out hunting safely or to gather food, today for most people belongs to the past.

In fact, artificial light makes it possible to have factories work day and night in 3 shifts, to have shops open 24 hours a day, to have a dazzling nightlife and even to do all kinds of interesting things at home at night and not to have to sleep. Indeed, why do we actually still sleep?

Why do we “lose” 1/3 of our lives to something that is like “being death”?
Do we really enjoy that so much?

Chronic short-sleepers Napoleon Bonaparte was on the alert day and night, and thus suffered from a chronic sleep deficiency. He only slept short sleeps, never exceeding a few hours. Thomas Edison invented artificial light and thought sleeping was “a deplorable regression to the primitive conduct of cavemen.” Albert Einstein was a frequent sleeper, both during the night and by day, he regularly doze off. He pretended that it contributed to his creativity.

2. Evolution history

SLEEP WELLNevertheless, there is something that forces us to sleep. Is it the tiredness of our muscles and mind that creates the need for sleep? Or do our genes in a circadian 24 hours rhythm order us to go to sleep right now? Science has no straightforward answer yet.

As Homo Sapiens we have had a long evolution history. Today we still have the body of the hunter-gatherer, including the coccyx. From a long time before the first Homo Habilis until recently, the human being was extremely vulnerable when it grew dark.
He lived solitarily or in group, but had to remain observant at all times. When he slept, he hided and protected himself as much as possible in caves or on higher places where the entrance or entry could be watched over. As our ancestors were occupied with keeping up a fire, watching and other survival activities, they subconsciously felt it was not permitted to sleep through for several hours a day. Their nights were interrupted several times by active moments. Today, primitive population groups still sleep several successive short sleeps at night. By organizing themselves into groups and hierarchies, the night watch could be reduced to a restricted group and the others could slowly evolve into the modern social sleep, in which the shorter sleeps are linked up and people sleep through, preferably without waking up in between.

We fall asleep under the influence of vapours that ascend from our stomach.
Aristotle, Greek philosopher

3. Sleeping habits

SLEEP WELL

SLEEP WELL

In the Western world, we indeed mostly sleep a sleep that consists of 5 stages that are in turn divided in different phases. When studying sleep behavior outside the European continent and during many study tours, I found that many population groups still have quite different sleeping habits.

The distinctive feature of their sleep behavior is that population groups that still live very close to nature, do not sleep “through” the night, but actively interrupt their sleep. It was also found that the climate is as important as darkness when it comes to explaining the widespread “afternoon nap”. Even in China, most factories and offices are closed down at noon. In Japan, it is still very popular to have a nap behind your desk at noon. At 5 o’clock in the morning, Bombay already shimmers with activity and the inhabitants of Abidjan only get the hang of things at 11 o’clock in the evening.

 

4. Where you sleep

Not everyone sleeps out his sleeping needs in the same way; frequent shorter sleeps on the ground, a couch, a seat or a bed spread over the entire day are more common than our modern social sleep in a neatly made-up bed from 11 o’clock in the evening till 7 o’clock in the morning. In the Western world, we evolved from sleepers in a nest or cave to more protected rooms or turret rooms, where people and families sat around a fire and looked for the warmth and protection of one another. They slept on beds that protected them against moisture, cold and vermin. These beds mainly consisted of skins, bags filled with all kinds of elastic materials and blankets that were even spread out over the chest with the most precious belongings.
The Greeks and Romans lived and ate on their beds. In the Middle Ages, the most combative slept sitting in full battle regalia to be able to swing into action while naked men, women and children cozily dived in a bed under the skins. Victorian prudery and new ideas on hygiene brought nightclothes, nightcaps, individual bedrooms and beds. French kings received their subjects while half-sitting/half-lying in their beds.

5. How you sleep

Today, 70% of the people still sleep together with someone else and some hundred years ago the Western world adopted the habit of sleeping in individual bedrooms where parents and children can retire.

Since the invention of the metal spring mattress and the bed box, we sleep completely horizontally and the hassock-pillows have gradually made way for modern more or less hygienically sound beds.

6. Women sleep on their sides, men sleep on their fronts or sides

SLEEP WELL

SLEEP WELL

A survey conducted in 1996 amongst 2,000 of my customers showed that 78% of the women are slide sleepers, while 72% of the men are side/belly sleepers. That’s only logical as in earlier days, most women were constantly pregnant and therefore had not many options left. In addition, by lying on their sides, women were able to better protect the fetus.

In fact, men are better protected by their backs and they can get up much more rapidly from the side/belly position. Other studies reveal that 15% sleep on their backs, 24% on their left sides, 47% on their right sides and 14% on their bellies.

But when we lie down, we often lie on our backs. This change is not only caused by mattresses that are much too hard and thus disturb our sleep profile, but also results from the introduction of electrically sit adjustable bed bases that brought King Television even into the bedroom. We now have light, digitalized communication, a worldwide information network… at our disposal 24 hours a day. And at night too, we permanently have access to all kinds of amusement and recreation… even in our bedroom.

The king sleeps on his back, the sage on his side and the rich man on his belly.
7. Sleep debt

We work and travel at night and yet feel that we so build up some kind of sleep debt. Perhaps we indeed can function 24 hours a day without losing much time to sleeping. When comparing the technological changes over the last century to our overall evolution, they took place in a symbolic second, while our body took 30,000 years to evolve from the homo sapiens into modern man.

Since the light bulb was invented in 1936, we technically can handle night work, our lives can become more and more hectic and we can even gather information or find entertainment in the middle of the night.

Number of hours of sleep per 24 hours
Donkey 3
Horse 3
Cow 4
Dolphin 7
Pig 8
Dog 9
Chimpanzee 10
Gorilla 12
Cat 15
Bat 20

 

8. The great lack of sleep

But, how flexible is our sleep need? Do we really just waste one third of our lives? The more I learn about sleeping, the more I realize that the problems we face today are rather due to a sleep deficiency than to a waste of time through sleeping. For one thing bad-sleeping is the worst ailment of our times, and for another thing modern, technological society and higher life expectancy just require that we, even more than in the past, optimally utilize our sleep.

In sleep labs all over the world, sleep debt was created under lab conditions and the behavior of test subjects was studied.Each study shows that even the slightest sleep deficiency has us function less efficiently. For that matter, short naps in the daytime resulting from this sleep deficiency actually are the biggest cause of accidents, both at work and on the road.

So, what is it that makes sleep so important? That is what you should know!

GREEN SLEEP