Life in Pajamas

10 Things To Do In Pajamas...Plus 2 More

Here are 10 things to do in Pajamas. What would you add to the list?

1,  Write a Blog Post

2.  Shop...online!

3.  Garden

4.  Cook

5.  Watch Seinfeld reruns

6.  Work all day

7.  Go on a date...a pajama date

8.  Take The SAT

9.  Dream

10.  Sleep

+1 Open presents on Christmas Morning

+2 Pose for Christmas Picture in Matching Family Pajamas

We Need Sleep!

Two planes landed at Regan National Airport just after midnight on March 23rd without assistance from the control tower because the lone air traffic controller was asleep.  "Shift workers are among the most sleep-deprived segments of the population," says Eve Van Cauter, a professor at the University of Chicago who studies circadian rhythms and their impact on the endocrine system. In a piece for USNews.com Elizabeth Klerman, a physician in the division of sleep medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, says "every physiological system has been noted to have increased problem with shift work in general,"  The body's internal natural clock has a very difficult time being asleep during day light hours and awake during nighttime hours.  What are some of your tips for sleep if you are a shift worker?

Here are a few of our tips for a good "night" or "day" sleep:

 

• Make Sure Your Bedroom is Dark

 Even if it's daylight outside, trick your body into thinking it's night by getting light blocking curtains or shades.  Close them tight and cover even the digital clock to block out all light in the room.

• Make Sure Your Bedroom is Cool

Open your windows, lower the heart or crank up the air conditioning to get a nice cool temperature in your room.  Sleep is easier in a cold room.

• Yawn

Making yourself yawn is contagious and yawning promotes sleepiness.

• Have a Journal Close at Hand

Sometimes our minds race with so many thoughts and worries as we lay in bed that it's impossible to feel peaceful.  Having a journal close at hand makes it easy to jot down important thoughts giving way to sleep. 

• Power Down
  

Electronics are stimulating and reve up the brain so for the best chance for zzz's, power down 30 minutes before bed.  Reading a book, newspaper or magazine can promote relaxation and sleep.

• Don't Eat Before Bed

Your metabolism will be hard at work if you chow down before bed.  Have your last bite at least an hour before settling in for sleep.

• Visualize a Peaceful Relaxing Place

A good technique to get your mind to a quiet place is a visualization exercise.  Create in your mind a peaceful, quiet, calm place that you love.  Visualizing yourself there will help rest your mind and promote calm.  Take yourself to a "Happy Place" for better sleep.

• Wear Comfortable Loose Fitting Clothing (Yes, I Mean Pajamas)

Whather you choose pajamas, nightshirts, or boxers...the key is comfort.  Pajamas are perfect because of the loose fit and comfy fabric.

Try a few of these techniques for better sleep.  Sweet Dreams!

 

The Beautiful Nap

If you think that naps should be reserved for babies and toddlers, think again. While most people outgrow their daily nap by around age 5, many recent studies have shown that naps can provide exceptional benefits throughout a person's lifetime. What's more is that some of today's most productive and successful people are die-hard power nap enthusiasts - which is quite a departure from the concept of the lazy napper who sleeps the day away. What is it about a nap that makes it such a positive thing? The following information is sure to be a real eye-opener!

Naps Boost Productivity

Few people would argue that Thomas Edison was an ambitious, talented and whip-smart man. One of the quirkiest things about Edison is the fact that he didn't generally sleep at night; instead, he took several 20-minute naps each day. Considering the fact that he churned out one brilliant idea after another, it's safe to surmise that those naps gave Edison quite a shot in the arm. A 2006 study by NASA reported that a 26-minute nap can boost a person's performance by a whopping 34%. If you have a spare twenty or thirty minutes during your work day, then, a nap is probably your best bet.

Naps Enhance Healthfulness

While getting at least eight hours of sleep per night may make your healthier, it looks like naps can take things one step further. A joint 2007 study by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School reported that people who took regular midday naps were 37% less likely to suffer from coronary health issues. Researchers believe that the stress-reducing nature of naps are largely responsible for this fact. If getting into the habit of taking brief naps can improve your health - and even extend your life - why not do it?

Naps Increase Happiness

In addition to the points outlined above, there is plenty of evidence that suggests that naps make people happier in general. If you know someone who sets aside time for a daily nap, they are probably one of the happiest people you know. Indeed, a 2006 Stanford School of Medicine study reported that doctors and nurses who took regular power naps tended to have better moods and be more alert than their nap-free counterparts. For happiness, healthiness and increased productivity, you don't have to take a supplement - you just need to get a little extra shuteye!

Create The Perfect "Pajama Day"

Everyday life is extremely hectic. Between work, household duties, taking care of kids or pets and trying to squeeze in a little fun, it's easy to get worn out. As "on the go" as you're bound to be, it's nice to stop and take a breather every once in a while. What better way to do so than with a pajama day? A great pajama day involves a lot of lounging, pampering, eating and napping. You shouldn't do a stitch of work - you shouldn't even change out of your pajamas! Tips on enjoying the perfect pajama day are outlined below.

Pamper Yourself

You don't have to go to a spa to get pampered. A few quality hours in the tub, with some decadent bath salts and soaps, should do the trick nicely. Deck out your bathroom with a variety of aromatherapy candles and put on some soft, soothing music. While you soak, treat yourself to a nice facial peel. If you're up for it, give yourself a mani-pedi. When you're all finished, lather your body with rich, nice-smelling lotion.

Nap, Nap, Nap!

After being suitably pampered, you'll probably feel extremely relaxed. No pajama day is complete without a bona fide nap, so make sure to make time for one. Curl up in your bed, or on the sofa, with a good book. Turn off your phone and put a "do not disturb" sign on your door. Drift away for a few luxurious - and much-needed - hours. If possible, don't set an alarm - just wake up in your own good time. When you do, you'll feel completely rejuvenated!

Make Something Tasty

The night before your pajama day, you should whip up something tasty for snacking. If baking relaxes you, you could do so during pajama day itself. Either way, make some type of comfort food that is soothing and scrumptious. You can't go wrong with banana bread; Martha Stewart's banana bread is always a great option. There's just something about the warm, intoxicating smell of baking bread that is truly irresistible.

Lounge the Rest of the Day Away

Now that you have something to snack on, plant yourself on the couch and indulge in some good, old-fashioned daytime TV. Whether you opt for soaps or reality shows, you're sure to appreciate the mindlessness of zoning out in front of the tube. At the end of the perfect pajama day, you'll be pampered, rejuvenated, well-rested and well fed. In other words, you'll have had a much-needed break from the craziness of daily life - your health and well-being will thank you for it!

Is it Time to Start a Dream Journal?

Shakespeare's Hamlet said it, "To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub." He was questioning whether it would be better to give up or to fight on. A bookworm may dissect the meaning of 'sleep' on multiple levels, but the gist of Hamlet's observation was that while he'd prefer total oblivion, he wasn't sure if that was obtainable because even in sleep one must deal with dreams.

A common method of dealing with dreams is though dream journaling. Essentially, journaling is keeping a log or record of your dreams and then looking for common patterns to emerge. By chronicling consistent patterns, you'll achieve more reliable dream interpretations than you are likely to get from a one-shot nightmare experience. When something happens only once, it is hard to tell if the dream was caused by your subconscious or by your epicurean experimentation with a pickle and anchovy salad.

The simplest way to record your dreams is by keeping a memo pad and pencil near your bed and writing down whatever you can remember as soon as you wake up. Once you've filled a few pages, you can shuffle through them looking for recurring themes. But as the saying goes, the results out are only as good as the data in, and with just a bit more organization, you can make a dream diary that will simplify the analysis and interpretation of your dreams.

Use a regular journal or notebook. Record the date; this will help in tracking changes over time. Rate the lucidity or clarity of your dreaming on a five point scale. #1 - you completely believed the dream was really happening, #3 - you were not sure if you were dreaming or not, #5 - you were fully aware that it was a dream and your were able to direct the events that were happening. Make up a title that describes your dream in just a few words. Next, record as much of the dream as you can remember. It is okay to use sentence fragments or phrases; the important thing is to get the ideas and concepts on paper quickly. Record your dream's orientation as to time, person and place, including your emotional state. Finally, list any categories like 'flying' or 'school,' and any key words or colors.

Once you begin to see patterns emerging, use books and online resources to help you interpret your results.  So put your pajamas on and start dreaming!

What Mom's Really Want for Mother's Day is...Sleep

Finding the perfect gift for Mom for Mother's Day is always a struggle.  The pressure to make sure Mom is happy is intense.  I'm a Mom and I think I've cracked the code on what Moms really want on Sunday and it is one word...Sleep! We know that a staggering percentage of Moms are chronically sleep deprived, not getting enough sleep most nights of the week. Moms of young children are particularly sleepy but Moms of teens and 'tweens are also affected.  The thought of having one morning to sleep in is a true gift. Undisturbed sleep...period.  Maybe this was why Mother's Day appeared on our calenders in the first place. So look no further than a comfy pair of pajamas, a soft pillow and a dark, quiet bedroom for the perfect Mother's Day morning, afternoon or however long it takes for Mom to wake happy and refreshed for this one day of the year.  Sweet dreams to all Mothers on Sunday. 

Sleep Well Tonight

Tips for a Sound Sleep Sometimes, even with the coziest of pajamas, we just can’t sleep. We toss and turn all night, and then we drag ourselves through the next day – often toting eye bags and a grumpy mood. What’s the solution? Insomnia has many causes, but they can be summarized as habitual, environmental, physical, and psychological. With that in mind, consider these tips for sounder sleep.

1. Develop a New Habit: Sleep on Schedule

Did you know that sleep schedules differ by culture? For instance, in the United States it’s most common for adults to fall asleep after dark and awaken six to eight hours later. In contrast, many Egyptians divide eight hours of sleep between two for the afternoon and six for the hours of darkness. Most surprisingly, members of the hunter-gatherer Efé tribe in Botswana get their eight or so hours of sleep in several short bursts throughout the day and night rather than all at once. That’s called “polyphasic” sleeping.

In any case, it seems that our bodies like schedules. Choose a bedtime (or bedtimes), and stick with it! For the maximum benefit, maintain the schedule even on weekends. Within a few weeks, you’ll sleep more soundly and enjoy more alertness and energy during your waking hours.

2. Set the Stage

There are several ways to adjust your environment in ways that promote sound sleep. For instance, many of us are distracted by ambient noise when trying to fall asleep. One solution to this problem is white noise; the quiet, steady rhythm of a fan can help neutralize other sounds.

An ideal sleep environment also includes a high quality mattress, darkness, and a cool temperature. Sleep experts have found that 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature range for sleeping soundly.

3. Check Your Health

A number of physical conditions can impede a good night’s sleep. Chronic pain is an obvious sleep-stealer, but some of the less obvious detractors include heartburn, obesity, and respiratory difficulties.

Since chronic sleep deprivation can cause additional physical problems, getting a good night’s sleep is just one more reason to take good care of your body.

4. Unwind

Stress may be the #1 cause of Americans’ insomnia. Worrying about money, relationships, and juggling many responsibilities keeps people from resting. Getting a massage, bathing, reading a novel, or breathing deeply can help to melt away stress at bedtime – and make the most of your pajamas!

One More Reason to Get A Good Night Sleep Tonight...Radiant Skin Tomorrow

We know a good night's sleep is important for our overall health and well being.  We know that getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night makes hearts healthier and lowers stress.  Sleep helps memory and brain function.  A short 20 minute nap can boost cognitive function. Sleep gives our cells the chance to repair damage caused by stress, u-v light exposure and pollutants.

The current issue of Prevention Magazine offers three tips for skin care in your sleep with the very good news that "Beauty Sleep" is real.  Nighttime is the perfect time to let those overnight moisturizes work their magic.  Prevention Magazine recommends these beauty tips for skin care in your sleep:

1.  Sleep flat on your back:  This can be hard to do but well worth trying since smashing your face into a pillow can actually cause wrinkles over time. 

2.  Stay hydrated:  Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day can improve skin.

3.  Use a moisturizer after bathing:  When the skin is already slightly damp, applying a moisturizer simply looks in the moisture that much better.  Before bed is the perfect time for all over moisturizing. 

Sleep is one of the best ways to stay healthy.

Check out 100 Ways to Sleep Better for more tips including how wearing comfortable roomy pajamas can help.

Back to Being Over Scheduled

A Saturday Guest Blogger -

My daughter writes a column in our town paper, and this week it was about being over scheduled.  She's a 16 year old and was finishing up the column at 11:30 PM one night after doing her homework.  She filed the story Sunday night, meeting her deadline and it was in the Thursday edition.  When Thursday rolled around she had a fever of 103 and off she went to the doctor.  She had type A flu, otherwise know as H1N1.  She seems to have caught a mild case, for which we are grateful.  She has spent the last few days now in bed in her pajamas.  At first, watching TV in her PJ's, getting us to respond to her ringing of the "sick bed bell", and having meals delivered was fun.  Now she is bored.  I think she is ready to re-engage with her over scheduled life!

West Virginians Need Their Sleep!

A new study is out asking who are the sleepiest Americans?  The answer is the citizens of West Virginia.  There one in five residents say they haven't had enough sleep in the past month.  In the overall survey, states in the Southeast reported the highest level of sleeplessness.  Not surprisingly, young people (aged 25-34) slept less than people aged 65 and older.  Interesting that women were found to have less sleep than men and those with less than a high school education also got less sleep than those with some college education. Wondering how your state fared in the survey?  The next sleepiest state was Tennessee followed by Kentucky and Oklahoma.  This data appeared in the October 30 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.  How sleepy are you?