Six Steps to a Healthier You-Restful Sleep

Whether you want healthy, beautiful skin, healthy hair, healthy and strong muscles, or a healthy and lean body; the answer seems to be the same:

-plenty of restful sleep
-plenty of exercise
-plenty of fresh air and sunshine
-plenty of healthy, wholesome foods
-plenty of relaxation
-plenty of joyful living

I want to talk to you about the first healthy requirement: Restful Sleep. It’s important to ask yourself if you are getting enough sleep, and if you are getting it at the right time. You may be getting eight hours of sleep a night. But if you are beginning those eight hours after you have stayed too late and exhausted yourself, they still won’t bring you the necessary, restful sleep you need to be at your peak. If you stay up to the point of exhaustion; then when you finally do get to sleep, the first few hours of sleep will be when you body is unwinding and not really ready for deep sleep. We don’t often think of this, but our body requires a “warm-up” before sleep just as it requires a warm-up before exercising. Additionally, the brain rejuvenates only during sleep.
As much as possible, get into the habit of getting enough good, restful sleep by establishing a regular routine of retiring at the same time in the evening, and awakening at the same time every morning. Studies have shown that sleeping just a few hours less every night for a week can have dramatic effects on the body. For more helpful information see the article at http://www.worldimage.com/blog/archives/000034_importance_of_sleep.html.

Most people think getting adequate sleep is a good thing, but most don’t realize how important it is. Sleep is not a luxury, it is a necessity. We cannot function properly without adequate sleep. We might be healthy in every other way, exercising and eating wisely, etc. But if we’re tired all the time, those other things are less effective, less beneficial. Lack of sleep can effect how we think, how we perform, how and how quickly we react. Sufficient sleep will help you improve your memory, and decrease depression symptoms. Another excellent article can be found at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/starslp/parents/whysleep.htm.

As you can see, sleep is important to every aspect of our health. For healthier skin, hair, muscles, body, and attitude; go to bed early tonight. You’ll be glad you did.

Check back next week for information on the importance of exercise. I wish you harmony, health, and happiness.


Terry Christensen is an expert in the area of natural health care, natural skin care products, and other natural products. Being healthy should not just be a goal; it should be our way of life. Step by step we can improve ourselves, attain greater health, and joy fuller lives, and share with others. Learn more at http://www.beautifullynaturalskincare.com/

Natural Products for the Entire Family

If you want to know more about natural skin care products as well as bath and body products, and herb-infused oils, check out www.beautifullynaturalskincare.com. Included are natural homemade soap made with pure shea butter, and coconut, olive, and palm oils; and scented with healthful herbs. This is the place to find skin care information, natural moisturizers, lotions, cleansers, baby care products, acne care, soothing oils, and natural hair care. Also find information and product for cellulite, psoriasis, acne, and eczema treatments using ingredients such as sea buckthorn, lavender oil, St. john’s wort, virgin coconut oil, comfrey, orange oil, neem oil, lemon grass, and more.

More About Herbs and Infusions

Herbs are wonderful and helpful in so many situations. A little lavender in a fussy baby's bathwater can calm and relax both mom and baby. The part of our brain that detects smells is located very near the part that deals with our emotions. Certain smells and therefore certain herbs do not simply give us a certain sensation. They actually trigger a part of our brain that causes certain responses. Thus lavender relaxes, eucalyptus stimulates and cleanses, and lime gives a refreshing uplift. Herbs are a natural way to take care of ourselves. Salves or balms, as well as infusions, are safe and natural.

For more information on healing balms and herb-infused oils go to www.beautifullynaturalskincare.com.

How to Make an Infusion

Here's an excerpt from a great article I read about infusions:

"The first step in preparing most herbal skin preparations is making an infused oil. This carrier oil is imbued with the properties of the herb or herbal blend you are working with. You can choose from a variety of methods to infuse oils depending on your preferences. If you wish to use fresh herbs you will have a few extra steps.
The oil you begin with is called a fixed oil. Generally I prefer to use olive oil as my fixed oil for most of my preparations. Olive oil has its own special health-giving properties and comes from a tree that has been prized and honored for centuries. If you choose to use olive oil, make sure you use one labeled “extra virgin” to assure the highest quality. A label that indicates “cold pressed” is a bonus. For cosmetic purposes some people find olive oil a bit heavy, and it does have an aroma of its own. You might also consider using lighter oils such as apricot, almond or grapeseed oil, or a combination of oils."

Adapted with permission from Earth Mother Herbal (Fair Winds, 2002) by Shatoiya de la Tour.

What Is This All About?

I've just been reading some articles on "looking younger." I had to quit; it was making me nauseous. I don't want to hear about how a 65 year old woman is still so sexy that a 45-year-old male made a pass at her at work. I don't want to hear about how unfashionable it is to wear "mom jeans." (What the heck are mom jeans? And what SHOULD moms be wearing?) I don't want to hear about how out-of-style my purse is, or how no one with any fashion sense at all would be caught dead in a velour jogging suit. What is this all really about? Does it really matter what we wear? What happened to just being clean and tasteful and modest? I feel better when I wash my face and comb my hair and wear a clean, comfortable blouse. I'd like to lose some weight. But I don't expect to ever look like one of those skinny, air-brushed gals we see on the magazine covers or on TV. What's wrong with being real? What's wrong with taking care of ourselves and feeling pretty because we like who we are? Are we spending the most time and energy on the things that are most important in our lives, like family and friends and service? Or are we all wrapped up in me, me, me? What is the price we're paying to look younger and be hipper and impress others?

Help For Dry Skin

Here are some good tips from www.swansonvitamins.com on how to take care of dry skin, especially during the winter months. There are simple and easy to do. Like almost anything else in life, little things can make a big difference. Humidifer, moisturizer, a shorter shower, more drinking water – we can all do these things and take better care of ourselves.

"With the recent extreme temperatures throughout the U.S. this winter, many are feeling the effects of dry skin. According to The National Center for Health Statistics, 9 million Americans have complained about dry skin. During the winter months, dry skin is exacerbated by low humidity and traveling from the warmth of a house to the freezing chill of the air outside. Thankfully, Swanson Vitamins has 6 tips to help with the nuisance of dry skin.
Things to do on the outside: * Place a humidifier next to your bed at night with the door closed. This will help keep moisture in and create the humidity needed.
* When taking a shower or bath, limit your time to 10 minutes and use luke-warm water. Water that is too hot can dehydrate the skin. Pat your skin dry, do not rub, and apply a moisturizer to damp skin. Nature’s Gate Colloidal Oatmeal Lotion contains oatmeal, a wonderful skin-soothing ingredient.
* Taking a sole bath using Dr. Barbara Hendel’s Himalayan Crystal salt not only rejuvenates you from the inside, it also causes salt to be stored in the top layer of the skin so that it stays moist and supple.
* Mix your lotion with coconut oil. Yes, it is an ingredient listed in many recipes found at Swanson Vitamins, but it can also be used topically to support skin health. Coconut oil is quickly absorbed into the top layers of the skin to provide incredibly soft skin.
Supplement from the inside out:
* Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is not only a good tip for a weight-loss plan, it’s also a good tip when wanting to hydrate your skin. Water can plump up skin cells to create a softer, smoother skin texture.
* Increase EFA’s in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids help replace moisture in dry hair and skin. Swanson Vitamins has MultiOmega with Fish Oil which combines flax, borage and fish oils that not only supports skin health, but supports cardiovascular and joint health as well."

For more information on natural care products that are good for you and good for your skin, go to www.beautifullynaturalskincare.com

A Tree for All Seasons

Neem oil is high in vitamin E, rich in emollients and fatty acids that help to heal dry, damaged skin. Neem helps restore the skin’s natural elasticity. Its antibacterial properties help to fight against the bacteria that cause acne. Neem is also anti-inflammatory and reduces the swelling and redness associated with acne.

Neem oil is pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree, which is an evergreen tree that grows in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries in that area. The tree is fast-growing, and usually reaches a height of about 50 feet. All parts of the tree (leaves, bark, seed, and flowers) can be used for many products, although neem oil is the best-known and most widely-used. The fruit looks somewhat like an olive, and has a single pit. Within that pit there can be two or three kernels. Oil is obtained by crushing the kernels and purifying the extract.

Neem oil is used for cooking, and as an ingredient added to soaps, hair products, and body creams. It has also been used for a variety of skin diseases and inflammations.

Besides being an effective anti-inflammatory, scientific studies have shown neem oil to be useful in the following areas:
-anti-viral
-anti-fungal
-anti-bacterial
-immune stimulant
-analgesic (effective against pain)
-anthelmintic (effective against parasites)
-anti-emetic (effective against nausea and vomiting)

Neem leaves contain fiber, carbohydrates, essential amino acids, calcium, and minerals. Neem keeps the breath and mouth clean and sweet-smelling.

Neem is also an antioxidant that helps eliminate cell damaged caused by free radicals.

Neem oils is especially high in important fatty acids that research has shown to be extremely effective in combating certain skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and ringworm.

These skin conditions clear up most rapidly when a high quality, organic neem oil is used. Neem oil absorbs quickly into the skin, going to work immediately to start healing and rejuvenating skin cells. Because of this fast absorption, the product never feels oily on the skin.

Neem oil added to health and beauty products can help to clean, beautify, and clear the skin. But it can also, when added to a non-toxic shampoo, help to clear up dandruff.

Hindu legend says that a few drops of ambrosia (which is believed to be the potion of immortality) fell from heaven onto the neem tree, giving it divine qualities.

Since the neem tree grows in India, the people there are more aware of its many beneficial properties. It is much less known in the west, where it’s many uses are just coming to our knowledge.

Terry Christensen is an expert in the area of natural skin care products and other natural products. She believes if the products we put on our skin and hair, and in our bodies, are safe for us; they are also safe for our environment. Learn more at www.beautifullynaturalskincare.com