5. SLEEP over half the people in the United States don't get a good nights sleep - sleep deprivation can cause a whole slew of problems related to health and mental functioning. Our body needs a minimum of two - three to four hour sleep cycles per night to rest and revitalize your system. The second deep sleep cycle is the healing cycle where the body is able to shut down almost all of it's extraneous functions and concentrate on repairs and revitalization of organs and functional systems. Think of it as a manufacturing plant that shuts down for repairs and cleaning. A necessary function to maintain your health.

HINT If you have difficulty in sleeping, recognize that it is an important problem that you need to resolve. See an acupuncturist or nutritionist to help you regain your normal sleep cycle. Both can help settle the four major sleep problems through acupuncture treatment and herbs and supplements. Try sleeping at a different hour. A darkened quiet room may help - some people need some background noise to sleep. Experiment to see what makes you sleepy. Don't stay in bed more than 30 minutes if you cant sleep. Get up, read, take a warm bath, drink some milk and calcium to calm you. Several nutrients, calcium in particular are nature's relaxing mineral. The four major issues that can keep you awake: Mental activity, off-set sleep cycle, muscle twitches, and underlying stress. Learning to let go of life's everyday problems until the next day can also help.

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