"The Ninja Convention" and "The Late Riser and the Dictator"

Risking life and limb, a blog reader took a photo at the 5th Annual Ninja Convention.


Next up: Are you a late riser stuck in an early riser's world? If you think you are, you will definitely want to read these "5 Reasons Why Sleeping In Every Day Will Boost your Productivity."


The linked-to article features a hilarious video short — which I am embedding below — which could be titled, "The Late Riser and the Dictator." It's in Korean (I think) with German subtitles (I think), but no translation is necessary.





—Mellow Monk

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Anti-itch jammies

Britain's Travelodge hotel chain is set to begin offering guests tight-fitting full-body pajamas. Made of Dermasilk, the pajamas are supposed to prevent sleep-impeding itchiness by better regulating the wearer's body temperature.



These anti-itch pajamas look like something right out of ...



... "2001: A Space Odyssey."


—Mellow Monk

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Are you getting enough? (sleep, that is)

Sleep is a wonderful cure-all for the various aches, pains, and stress in our life, but many of us just aren't getting enough. But there are
some things you can do to bump up your sack time.


The linked-to article also discusses the Japanese custom of napping and dozing:

"The Japanese are right in their assessment that you work better after a nap than before it. There's a degree of machismo about it, you're saying look how hard I've worked. But that's better than the macho rituals we have over here, like how late you can send a work email to prove how long you've been working."

Japan's former Prime Minister Koizumi resting his eyes.


—Mellow Monk

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The health benefits of an unmade bed

The next time you're scolded for not making your bed, explain that an unmade bed is healthier than a nicely made one.


It seems that disarrayed bedding allows moisture to escape, which makes it harder for allergy-aggravating dust mites to survive.


Note, however, that this news does not mean that it's okay to go weeks without changing the sheets.


And bamboo sheets apparently do a good job of preventing creepy-crawly growth.



"Tell me I look lovely, dahling."


—Mellow Monk

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Lack of sleep can cause psychiatric disorders

Lack of sleep has been linked to all sorts of health problems, from immune system disorders to weight gain and even psychiatric disorders.


Yikes!


A great way to naturally promote sound sleep is good old-fashioned exercise. And it doesn't have to be strenuous, either. I've heard more than a few folks swear by their daily one-hour walk—that without it, they'd soon go back to having trouble sleeping at night.


Green tea can also help promote sound sleep—especially if you're currently a java junkie. That's because green tea has much less caffeine than coffee (about two-thirds less). Green tea also contains theanine, which promotes relaxation and generally positive feelings.


For those who are highly sensitive to caffeine, I suggest trying our hojicha (roasted green tea), which has about a third of the caffeine as ordinary green tea.



Don't let this happen to you.


—Mellow Monk

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Five myths about sleep

This week being National Sleep Awareness Week, it's perfect timing to read up on the five myths about sleep.

Incidentally, if you like to relax with green tea in the evening but are worried about cafeeine keeping you awake at night, you easily decaffeinate the tea yourself. Simply pour hot water over your tea as you normally would, wait between 30 and 60 seconds, then throw out the infusion and brew the tea again.

When tea is brewed, the caffeine leaches out more quickly than other compounds, so the second infusion will still give you the flavor, aroma, and health benefits that you want from green tea.


—Mellow Monk

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Intensity of waking hours affects sleep

A paper published in the journal Sleep states that "wakefulness associated with exposure to an enriched environment and with high levels of exploratory activity" is more likely to lead to a good night's sleep.

What this implies is that passive activities, such as watching TV, are more likely to lead to a restless night's sleep.


—Mellow Monk

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Too much sleep is unhealthy, too

One of the nice things about green tea is that although drinking too little deprives you of its full health benefits, no one has ever reported that there's such a thing as drinking too much—that drinking more than a given amount is bad for you.

In contrast, there's recent research on sleep. First, researchers tell us that too little sleep is unhealthy. Now they're also saying that too much sleep is also unhealthy.

As in all things, grasshopper, the key is finding the right balance.


—Mellow Monk

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Sleep deprivation: don't take it lightly

Minnesota's WCCO talks to sleep expert Dr. Mark Mahowald about why sleep is so important and how we can all get a better night's rest.

You can also watch a video of the TV news segment on which the article is based.


—Mellow Monk

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Natural mattresses improve sleep

Led by natural-latex mattresses, sales of natural mattresses are booming.

Still, I have my suspicions. "It was like lying down on a cloud" is how one person describes her first encounter with a natural-latex mattress. Personally, I feel that when it comes to mattresses, the firmer the better. When I sleep on a super-extra-firm bed, my back thanks me in the morning, whereas two nights on a way-too-soft hotel mattress ages me 20 years.


—Mellow Monk

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The night before a test

This news is for all of you who have a big test tomorrow—or, for that matter, a job interview or a big presentation to give to the boss first thing tomorrow morning.

Scientists prove what teachers have been telling students since time immemorial: Instead of cramming the night before a test, you'll do better if you get a good night's sleep instead.



The sleep team at work.


—Mellow Monk

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Tatami beds

For those of you for whom even the firmest mattress isn't firm enough, you may want to try out a tatami bed.





—Mellow Monk

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Give your bedroom a sleep-inducing makeover

To get a better night's sleep, you don't need to buy an expensive bed. Instead, there are simple, easy ways to make over your bedroom into a more sleep-friendly environment.


—Mellow Monk

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