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As humans, every New Year’s Eve comes and we all have big hopes for the coming year. And rightfully so.  Even if last year was great, we want next year to be even better. At least I do.  We set goals and resolutions in order to help us, “live our best life!”

Also as humans, the daily stresses of life always pile up, getting in the way of some of the goals we might have set. I’m sure I’m not the only one that thinks that there are simply not enough hours in the day. Along with our daily stresses, our poor eating habits might sneak back up, our gym date is first skipped a few times a week, and then, inevitably, it’s cancelled for good, and our old routines fall right back into place. As thoughts of the present day race through our minds, and the plans, fears and anxieties for tomorrow cannot be silenced, a well-rested night is simply out of the question.

To begin our day, the alarm clock rings and the snowball effect continues.

There has to be something we can do about this right? I mean the chaos that we call life.

Maybe we can’t call out of work or skip our kids football practice tonight or automatically turn the “Check Engine” light off, but we can take care our ourselves a little bit better so that we can give back and be the best for others.

After a long day of work, reaching for a glass of wine or any alcoholic beverage might be your favorite answer. And you aren’t alone. That first drink doesn’t seem to be the problem. It’s the glasses/bottles/cans that follow, the second, third, fourth or beyond, sipped close to the bedtime hour that might be.

A study out of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research suggests that alcohol can have a large impact on your brain while your trying to sleep to prepare for tomorrows challenges.

In the study, they suggest that at first, yes, alcohol will help you fall asleep sooner and may even help you sleep through those first few hours. It is the second half of your sleep that is affected. Heavy drinking near bedtime may cause you to toss and turn in those last few hours of sleep that you have. Have you ever woken up an hour or two before your alarm clock was supposed to ring and not been able to fall back asleep? This might be why.

The next day, you wake up groggy, unable to concentrate and maybe even a little moody.

“Moody? Who? Not me. I just haven’t had my coffee yet.”

I’m sure you’ve never said that. Yeah, me neither.

This is the recipe for another stressful day.

I want to introduce you to an easy, cheap and natural swap to that last alcoholic beverage to facilitate a better nights sleep tonight. And even if you don’t drink alcohol this is a perfect addition to your nightly routine. Maybe Monday won’t be so dreadful after all!

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There are few things more soothing than a hot cup of tea, especially in this cold January month. Chamomile tea is made from the chamomile herb, which comes from a flowering plant from the daisy plant. I have been drinking this tea for the past few weeks before bed and have never slept so good in my life. No more tossing and turning for me. Tomorrows stresses can wait.

Not only can this tea possibly help you sleep better but it is also reported to help fend off the common cold through its antibacterial properties too; just in time for flu season!

My favorite is the TAZO: Calm Chamomile. Along with chamomile flowers it also contains hibiscus flowers, spearmint leaves, rose petals, lemongrass, blackberry leaves, turmeric, peppermint leaves, sarsaparilla root, lemon balm leaf and licorice root.

As the box reads…

Try drinking any variety of chamomile tea 30 minutes before bed tonight and you will be out like a light! (You can find the tea bags at most of your local grocers.)

(Side Note. Just an FYI, drinking chamomile during pregnancy or for those on blood thinners is not recommended. So mommy’s-to-be, I’m sorry I don’t have an answer for you.)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Happy Sunday and Good Health!

The post “Each Cup is a Story, Unfolding with Every Sip” appeared first on The Gypsy Dietitian.

Hi friends! Just checking in.

As you can tell, things are extremely busy but I’m loving every moment of it…okay, okay so maybe not my 5:30 am report time (that’s a 4 am wake up call!) but I’m learning so much, meeting so many incredible people and trying to take it all in at the same time.  Between weddings, bachelorettes, and Mayo, my sleep habits, or lack there of, are struggling slightly, but as time goes on I know I will get into a routine and things will continue on perfectly.  When I was in high school my mom would say, “Ashley, you just need to get some sleep.” My response was always the same, “Mom, I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Now I see why she told me that…to prepare for times like these! My response now, “I’ll sleep in eight months?” No, really, I’m going to work on this

Haha, an old and cheesy picture but it sure would feel nice to curl up in those PJs right about now

Workouts have  been slacking greatly too which really disappoints me (squeezed one in Monday, had to skip yesterday, thirty minute dog walk today), but again, once I get into a routine, things will fall into place again.  A 3:30 am workout just isn’t going to cut it right now when I am not able to hit the pillow until 11 pm.  Maybe next week? Coffee and tea have become mandatory as you could imagine.

Myself and the two other interns went to dinner with the older class of interns Monday night and it was so comforting to hear the words, “You can do this!” as they explained that it was overwhelming for them to begin with as well, but with time, we will figure it out. I already knew that but isn’t it funny how when someone else tells you something it’s so much more believable?

Anyways, just wanted to let you know that things are going well; it’s hard to believe the amount that I have to learn in the next 7-8 months but it will be done! I am loving my field more and more everyday Hope all is well for you too! Talk to you soon? I hope!

Good health!

The post Busy as a Bee appeared first on The Gypsy Dietitian.