There is always a subliminal message when someone brags that he need just a few hours of sleep a day. He may want to be perceived as someone who is strong, healthy or a productive person as they are too busy to sleep. But sleeplessness causes serious consequences and may affect one’s happiness indirectly. Sleep expert Donna Arand said that some studies shows a sleep-deprived person has a higher risk of gaining weight. The cause may be scientific and related to metabolism but the thought of gaining weight is surely a horror to some body-conscious people. Also, lack of sleep causes high blood pressure, increased risk of diabetes and other problems like depression and substance abuse, Arand added. With these in mind, worrying turns itself on and puts a sad face to anyone. Of course, no one wanted to get sick. There are also problems in memory retention and performance related to the lack of shut eye.

Better sleep and be happy!

Image courtesy of Rickabbo.

Sources: www.healthyontario.com, www.theherald.co.uk, www.sleepfoundation.org

Can you imagine life without the constant ringing of cell phones, the flashing lights in the T.V. and google? I bet you can’t. These things are now a very important part of our life and a day without them can make us immobile.

Cliche as it may sound, but our dependence on things which promises an easier life actually makes life easier but the part that makes living a fun one is gone.

Well, a woman named Heather Johnson realized this and created the ‘10 Ways to Simplify Your Life and Find Happiness’ that instructs us to set aside the things associated with modernity and go for the simpler route and gain a well deserved happiness. Here it goes:

1. Ditch your car. Walk or ride a bike to work. The exercise and more relaxing mode of transport will leave you feeling fresh. Saving money is not the ultimate goal here, but with the skyrocketing cost of gas it is a great incentive. You’ll also be doing right by the environment.
2. Turn off the TV. If this seems impossible then imagine how free you’ll feel if you’re no longer a slave to the remote control and the TV Guide.
3. Shed some weight. Instead of talking about losing weight and getting in shape, do it. The vicious cycle of poor eating habits and lack of exercise leads to depression and various health problems. Change up your diet and go for a run to feel better.
4. Write a letter, not an e-mail. Feel like you have to be in the loop with your e-mail or blackberry? Don’t be helpless if electronic communication lets you down, write an old-fashioned letter and feel closer to your recipient.
5. Forget multi-tasking. Concern yourself with one task at a time. Restrict outside distractions while performing this task, turn off the TV or ignore your cell phone and see your productivity soar.
6. Lighten up your “to do” list. If your ”to do” list seems to be endless then take a closer look at what actually must be done and eliminate frivolous tasks or tasks that be delegated.
7. Create more free time. Get rid of a commitment that you can’t stand attending to, wake up earlier, eat lunch at your desk or simply take a personal day. If you limit free time then you are adding to the huge amount of stress you already carry.
8. Go away. Take a day trip or get away for a weekend. Use your vacation days because you earned them. Instead of worrying about what you should or could be doing for someone else, go ahead and do something for yourself.
9. Turn off your cell phone. This task sounds simple, but it conjures nightmares for most of us. Turn it off for even just one hour and see if you feel more at ease. Better yet, get rid of it altogether.
10. Make a fun “to do” list. You’ve always wanted to go cross country, see a rain forest or ski the Swiss Alps. Make it happen.

(From thinkhappythoughts.com, image courtesy of notsogoophotography)