We all yawn. When we’re tired, when we’re bored, when we see someone else do it. It’s so contagious, you’re probably wanting to yawn just thinking about it! The simple question of why we yawn doesn’t have an easy answer. It turns out that while there are some strong theories about yawning, there’s still a lot we don’t know about this common everyday activity. It’s a fascinating subject, so let’s dive in and get the facts about yawning. What is a yawn? Before we try and answer the question why .....
Light sleep is an important part of the body and brain’s recovery cycle, helping them to slowly relax and prepare for the later and deeper stages of sleep. If you’ve ever felt yourself twitch as you’re drifting off, that’s a factor of just one part of your light sleep stage. Let’s take a look at what it is, and how you can make the most of this crucial stage. What is light sleep? You’ve probably heard of deep sleep and REM sleep, but did you know that a great deal of your night consists of .....
Sleep may not be something you think about. Some people simply go through the motions and let their bodies slide into rest mode, while others struggle to hit the biological snooze button. When you finally achieve rest however, your brain is still hard at work, cycling through different stages of activity, including REM. You might know it as the ‘dreaming’ stage of sleep, but REM also plays an important role in our emotional and mental wellbeing. How can you tell if you’re getting enough time in .....
Life moves so quickly, so a decorative ornament here and a blank photo frame there could be considered a stylistic choice when you don’t have time to challenge how much space you’re left with. One becomes two, two becomes three and soon your strategically designed display or storage nooks can feel crowded, inspiring feelings of unease. Don’t wait until a specific season to collect and give away unwanted pieces. Healthy decluttering can boost your productivity and make a tidy bedroom achievable. .....
Ever wonder why you get tired at particular times of day (like the 3 o’clock slump), but feel energised or get a second wind later? These peaks and troughs are usually in-line with something called the ultradian rhythm, and can be the key to improved productivity and even a restful sleep. How? Let’s delve into these biological rhythms to help you get the most out of your natural sleep style. What is an ultradian rhythm? You might have heard of your circadian rhythm, but your ultradian rhythm i .....