Swathy

5 reasons you might not be sleeping well {Five Series}

Swathy · December 26, 2012 · 8 Comments

So, when I was in Delhi, I wasn’t really sleeping well. Yup, it happens because my dad disturbs me a lot 😀 Nah, its actually that he gets up at very odd times and he either snores heavily or his nasal tract problem wakes me up. I always keep on wondering how mom is able to sleep.

When I caught cold, my nose was giving me issues and one day I developed some allergy suddenly due to which I had bad itching and the whole skin was turning red and covered with bumps. So, all these things one after another culminated in not so comfortable sleeping patterns.

So, I sat down and listed some possible reasons apart from disturbances which might hamper the regular sleep process and they are very simple. They are all day to day habits which we wither ignore or take for granted. Sometimes it also happens that we do sleep but when we get up we don’t feel refreshed. Why?

Light

Yup, this is the biggest issue. You should sleep in total darkness because even a flicker of light is caught by the eyes and that interferes with the deep sleep processes. So, one of the alternatives is to use a sleeping mask so that even if there is a bed light on, it shouldn’t disturb the sleep.

Body is not too tired or IS TOO TIRED

So, yup, this is one of the most common reasons why you do not sleep well. Not doing enough work in a day or making your body too much work that it aches makes the sleep disturbed.

Because, if the body is too tired, a comfortable sleeping position is not reached. And, if it is not tired at all, again the body’s clock doesn’t work properly.

Room Temperature not Comfortable

If the temperature of the room is too hot or too cold, the body is in an uncomfortable position. Also, remember that the body temperature drops in sleep by around 1 or 2 degrees to preserve energy. Also, using too many blankets or too less blankets also makes a difference.

Reading an interesting Book or watching something disturbing just before sleeping

When we sleep, whatever we think just before sleeping often has a lot of role in dreams or brain activity after we sleep. If it is something very interesting or very disturbing, the body never enters the deep state of sleep and remains in a lucid state the entire night.

Dependence on Alarm Clocks

Well, this is probably the most difficult habit to get rid of. But, unfortunately, this is one of the reasons why you might not wake up refreshed. Alarm clock doesn’t interfere with sleep process but it interferes with the natural waking process.

Human body is supposed to fall asleep with the dark and wake up with the first ray of sunlight hitting the body. That is why, generally, it is advised to wake up early in the morning. And, if you keep your room sufficiently ventilated, you would find that you do wake up when the sunlight hits your bedroom.

But, due to the disturbed lifestyles, one hardly sleeps till it is late at night and when the alarm clock rings just near the ear in the morning without giving you adequate sleep, it leaves you feeling dizzy and heavy. Also, sometimes, body keeps awake in the anticipation of the alarm ring subconsciously!

So, what do you think are the reasons one might not sleep well?

Just Gossip Vol. 3 – My Yoga Classes and changes in my Body!

Swathy · December 25, 2012 · 36 Comments

So, why I have not been regular on the blog is because I have joined artistic yoga by Bharat Thakur. Now, don’t ask me how they were in the starting because I was literally dead in the first week 😀 Second week was scary as well but a little less scary!!

Now, third week has commenced and I was down on Tuesday so I was in a dilemma to continue or not. Anyways, that’s for another post. I wanted to join some activity which would keep me healthy and help me test my body limits even more and this came.

Man, abs exercises are killing!!! Anyways, I want to just list down how my body has changed in the past few weeks. Btw, these classes are for an hour and only on the weekdays. They will end in January and I am tensed how will I keep up. Because, right now, the compulsion and community is working as a motivation.

How my body changed?

I lost weight, of course!!
I have more energy, I am less tired and more active.
I am happier.
My body feels lighter.
I have surprised myself by doing some things which I never thought I could do.
I sleep really well.
I sleep early.
And, I am getting up in the morning at right time!! And, without feeling groggy or anything.
The best part is even now that I am down, I am finding that my periods time is going on a lot smoother.
Another great thing is that my PMS was literally non-existent!! Yes, there were mood swings but not as intense as past few months.
I am less stressed out and probably my productivity is better (not sure though)!
I am more positive in outlook and I have a positive aura.
Now, whether my skin is glowing or not, I don’t really know!!
My blood circulation has definitely improved. I can feel more blood flowing in my head.
I am feeling more hungry, enjoying the taste of food and I am a lot less negative in outlook.
This is the first time I have ever joined such classes and that’s one thing which has made me happy!
My head aches are a lot more in control now 🙂
My body is so much lighter!! I can find more agility in my body as well 🙂

These are a few things right now I have noticed in myself which is making me very reluctant to not continue the next month but, honestly, there are financial considerations as well so I am kind of double-minded about it. I will probably try out something else!!

PS: This post is written on 19th December, 2012.

Should you do exercise when mensturating? {Women Stuff}

Swathy · December 18, 2012 · 20 Comments

Ok, I would like to be convinced why we should not exercise if we are menstruating. I did a google search on this topic and I found no particular link saying you should really rest IF you do not suffer from major cramps or heavy bleeding.

Caution: This is only for those who do not have heavy bleeding or suffer badly during those days of the month!! Please do not exercise if you have heavy PMS or mensuration. All you can do is walk in such a case.

So, I do not really suffer from major issues during this time of the month. My blood flow is normal and I generally do not have anything major than leg pains and heavy feeling in the lower part of the body but that settles down if I rest properly.

When I did a google search, all I found was that you can walk, jog, run and even do Yoga during these days except for some of the inverted poses in the Yoga and even swim. Pranayam is specifically recommended for relaxation. Also, one can do Suryanamaskar or stretches or such exercises which do not involves stomach strains or back strain.

But, still, when I went for my Yoga classes (yup, will write about them) today, my acquaintances said I should only rest for the first three days. Now, you would obviously be interested in knowing how I managed an hour of the class.

Honestly, it wasn’t too bad. Some of the exercises I totally avoided because it was straining my back but I did do many Suranamaskars and other easy ones which were mostly stretches today. And, afterward, I was feeling pretty good. And, I didn’t really push myself more.

My legs weren’t heavy anymore. And, this is till now. I would check till tomorrow and let you know if I did really suffer anything major after having a good/bad night sleep 🙂 And, please do convince me if I should really avoid exercising altogether keeping in mind my state of periods.

Any doctor’s opinion would be welcome 🙂 And, am I relying on internet more than necessary?