Alisha Birrell's Links

Did you hear something interesting on Alishas show and want to see it again? Here's a few interesting tidbits and interesting things you might like.

AWESOME HALLOWEEN DISPLAY

I saw this online.... and I had to share!
 
CLICK HERE TO WATCH


7 Reasons we're so tired in the morning

Found this article on http://www.fitperez.com/ and it's quite a handy tool if you have trouble sleeping. Have a read and see if any of these problems/ solutions can help you.


7 Reasons We're So Tired In The Morning

We love sleep, but unfortunately it doesn't always love us.

Despite devoting enough hours for a full night's rest, we sometimes wake up the next day feeling like we spent the last 8 hours on an all night bender, not lying comfortably in our bed.

So why is this happening?

It turns out there may be a variety of reasons we're not getting the sleep we need and they aren't always obvious!

Check out 7 reasons for poor sleep and how to improve it below!

Sleeping poorly and waking up with a bad taste in your mouth, otherwise known as "morning mouth", can be a signal of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or asymptomatic heartburn.
Studies have shown up to 25% of people who report sleeping poorly without a diagnosed cause have sleep-related acid reflux, which causes the body to partially awaken from sleep, even when there are no symptoms of heartburn.
To avoid "silent reflux", follow treatment suggestions for heart burn. Don't eat for at least 2 hours before bed, avoid acid-causing foods during dinner, and don't take painkillers before bed. Sleeping on the left side is known to reduce symptoms, while sleeping your right can worsen symptoms because acid takes longer to clear out of the esophagus in that position.

Tossing and turning or waking up to use the bathroom may be signs of "nocturia" — a condition that causes frequent nighttime urination.
The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 65% of older adults are sleep deprived as a result. As we age we become less able to hold fluids for long periods because of a decline in antidiuretic hormones.
To avoid unwanted overnight bathroom breaks don't drink liquids three hours before bedtime. Perhaps more importantly, get checked by your doctor for any urinary problems including overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, incontinence, and cystitis. In men, an overactive bladder may be a sign of any number of prostate problems too!

If your jaw clicks, pops, or feels sore, or your teeth are wearing down you may be suffering from the subconscious neuromuscular activity known as bruxism, or more simply, teeth grinding!
The disorder causes tensing of the jaw muscles and interferes with the relaxation necessary for deep sleep as a result.
Avoid chewing gum during the day to limit habitual chewing that may occur at night. For the best advice, go see a dentist who may prescribe a mouth-guard-type device such as a dental splint.

Moving all over the bed or waking up tangled in the covers may be a sign of restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), which can can prevent you from sinking into deep sleep or wake you during sleep.
This behavior may be a symptom of larger problems including diabetes, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, thyroid disease, and kidney problems, so go see a doctor to discover the underlying cause.
Iron and folate deficiency have been linked to restless leg syndrome so perhaps try including more iron and B vitamins in your diet.

If you wake up with a dry mouth or horrible morning breath, you may be a snorer!
The condition can interrupt sleep because you’re not getting enough air to fully relax, but may also indicate a more serious problem with obstructed breathing during sleep.
This may be a great excuse to lose weight because studies have found that losing even just 10 pounds can eliminate the problem. If you're not up to the fitness challenge, try snore-stopping nose strips, available over the counter at the drugstore, or use saline nasal spray to irrigate your nasal passages.

Sleeping fitfully, feeling exhausted all the time, and waking up with a sore throat or neck pain is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea.
The disorder affects 20 million Americans, but a whopping 87% are unaware they have the problem!
Obstructive sleep apnea prevents sufferers from getting enough oxygen during sleep because the throat closes and cuts off airflow. If you're breathing is interrupted by intervals of ten seconds or more, go see a otolaryngologist, who will examine your nose, mouth, and throat to see what’s interrupting your breathing and how to fix the problem.

If after a full night’s sleep you still feel groggy all the time or get sleepy while driving, you may be simply suffering from irregular sleep patterns.
Darkness triggers production of the hormone melatonin, which tells the brain it’s time to sleep, while light shuts off the melatonin production and sounds a silent alarm to wake up.

If irregular sleep patterns are a problem, the simplest solution is to stick to a regular pattern throughout the week that resembles the natural cycle of night and day, such as 10pm to 6am. Reset your internal clock by forcing yourself to get up in the bright hours of the morning for a day or two and you'll be more likely to fall asleep at night.


What does your Car Colour say about you

I saw this on www.nzherald.co.nz and it's just a fun list they have put together... So the question is... What does your Car COlour say about you? (My Car is like Charcoal so I went with Grey and it does not describe me at  all but maybe your Car Colour is spot on)
 
What your car colour says about you

Silver - Elegant, loves futuristic looks

White - Fastidious
Red - Speedy, high-energy, dynamic
Light Brown - Basic and simple tastes
Deep Brown - Down-to-earth, no-nonsense
Black - Empowered, not easily manipulated, appreciates classics
Grey - Sober, corporate, practical
Dark Green - Traditional, trustworthy, well-balanced
Yellow - Whimsical, lively, sunny disposition
Gold - Loves comfort and will pay for it
Orange - Fun-loving, talkative, fickle
Deep Purple - Creative, individualistic


Top Ten Driver Frustrations (Source: AA Insurance Drivers' Frustration Index 2011)

1. Drivers who are not paying full attention to the road.
2. Drivers who are not courteous while changing lanes or merging.
3. Drivers who don't indicate or continue to indicate after they need to.
4. Drivers who don't dip their lights for oncoming traffic at night.
5. Drivers who increase their speed at a passing lane so you can't pass and/or slow down after the passing lane.
6. Drivers who don't pull over to allow others to pass.
7. Drivers who turn corners from the wrong lanes.
8. Drivers who follow too closely.
9. Drivers who park very near an intersection and compromise visibility.
10. Drivers of cars who block intersections to get through a phase of lights.
What do you think is the most frustrating thing about other drivers?

Biggest money wasters:
 
Found this on nzherald.co.nz on their sideswipe bit, pretty interesting... What's your biggest money wasting habit?

1. ATM fees - (Using the closest ATM, rather than one from your own bank will cost you).
2. Infomercial impulse buys - The urgency of the deal lures punters in, but is it really that good a deal?
3. Brand-name groceries - Popular brands come in prettier packages, but that doesn't mean they're better.
4. Eating out - one of the most expensive habits you can have.
5. Unused gym memberships - automatic fees are one of the easiest ways to waste money.
6. Daily internet deals - Many of the vouchers bought don't get redeemed
 

Ten common myths of medical emergencies
 
I found this article on stuff.co.nz and it's really good. Have a read and you will be prepared just incase you find yourself in an emergency situation.

A belief that butter cools burns is one of 10 common myths about what to do in medical emergencies, St John Ambulance says.

The myths included the "best thing for a burn is butter" and that in a life and death situation "it's better to do nothing than risk making things worse".

If a person was in a life and death situation, doing nothing could mean the person dies, Dr Smith said.

"In reality doing something is far more likely to help the person than to harm them."

Even people without first aid training could call 111 and follow the instructions given by the ambulance call-taker.

Applying butter to wounds could actually make infections worse and people should instead pour cool water on the burn for 20 minutes.
Other myths include:

"If you have a nosebleed, you should tilt your head back." A person with a nose bleed should instead tilt the head forward and pinch the soft part of the nose firmly for 10 to 20 minutes, Dr Smith said.

"If an arm or leg is bleeding heavily, you should tie a tourniquet above the injury." Applying a tourniquet could make bleeding worse and the best thing was to apply pressure to the wound and to cover it with a dressing once the bleeding has been controlled.

"You must never, ever move someone after a car crash, even if they are not breathing." If people are not breathing they need to be moved so CPR to go ahead. However, a person who is breathing should not be moved unless in immediate danger.

"If a child drinks poison, make them vomit." Making a child vomit could cause serious internal damage and the best thing is to keep the child calm and call 111.

"I feel some discomfort in my chest, but it is just indigestion." If a person suffers from chest discomfort which does not ease after 15 minutes, or is in severe pain, he or she may be having a heart attack and an ambulance should be called.

"If someone is having a seizure, put something in their mouth (such as a spoon) to stop them biting their tongue." Forcing an object into someone's mouth could break a person's teeth or injure the person's mouth or tongue. The best thing is to protect them from injuring themselves during the seizure.

"If someone feels faint, put their head between their legs." When a person faints the best thing to do is to lie them on the floor and raise their legs a little.

"A stroke is not an emergency." You should call an ambulance if you think someone is having a stroke.
 


NUTRITION TIPS TO HELP YOU ADJUST TO NEW TIMES AFTER DAYLIGHT SAVINGS.

I found this on fitperez.com.... and although it is for America so they are starting Daylight savings, you can apply it for the end of Daylight Savings... especially if you're like me and have trouble going to sleep at reasonable times.
Nutrition Tips for Daylight Savings Time
 
When it comes to the daylight savings time change, the saying goes, “spring forward, fall back.” Unfortunately, this time changes leaves many of us fatigued, making us want to do anything but spring forward! Here are some of my nutrition tips to help you transition with the time change:

Breakfast Time: Too tired to eat breakfast? Skipping it will make you feel even more fatigued, potentially causing you to overdo it on caffeine and sugary foods. This can set you up for a major energy-crash later in the day. Oatmeal, plain yogurt, and apples are great energy-boosting foods to eat for breakfast. Fruit and veggie smoothies are another easy option for an energizing breakfast! I love to make this Avocado Whip Smoothie first thing in the morning. Avocados are another great source of energy and contain potassium, a nutrient that has been shown to help regulate blood pressure.

Snack Time: Need an energy-boosting snack? Ditch the donuts and munch on some almonds. They are perfect to help us stay energized due to the fact that they are loaded with potassium and iron. To obtain all their health benefits, be sure to snack on raw almonds rather than the candy-coated or salted kind! Don’t like nuts? Other great energy-boosting snacks include grapes, peaches and sunflower seeds.

Hydration Time: Bust-out that cute water bottle and stay hydrated during the day! One of the early signs of dehydration is fatigue, so sipping water is a good way to stay energized. Squirt some lemon in your tea or water for a boost of vitamin C, a vitamin that is needed to give us energy during our day. In addition to tasting great, lemons are great for aiding in digestion and can help with nausea, heartburn, and parasites.

Sleepy Time: Having trouble falling asleep with the new time change? Chew on some cherries! They are a natural source of melatonin and can help you get your beauty sleep. Lettuce, scallops, basil and nutmeg have also been known to promote relaxation and sleep. If you are a tea drinker, try a cup of calming chamomile tea.


WHAT NOT TO EAT BEFORE BED TIME IF YOU WANT A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP
 
I found this list on fitperez.com
 
Have a look and if you have trouble sleeping it could be due to one of these
 
Here are five foods compiled by Care 2 to avoid eating before you go to bed:

1. Preserved and smoked meats
“Slap your hand away when it reaches to make a ham sandwich as an evening snack. Ham, bacon, sausages, and smoked meats contain high levels of the amino acid tyramine, which triggers the brain to release norepinephrine, a brain stimulant that makes us feel alert and wired.”

2. Chocolate
“Love an evening cup of cocoa? That sundae in front of the TV? Be careful of chocolate in all its disguises. Many people are increasingly sensitive to caffeine as they get older, and even the little chocolate chunks in chocolate chip ice cream could zap you just enough to prevent ZZZZs. Chocolate also contains tyrosine, a stimulating amino acid.”

3. Energy drinks
“Red Bull and other energy drinks are high in caffeine as well as the amino acid taurine, which boosts alertness and adrenaline. Recent studies have shown that even if you drink energy drinks early in the day, the combined high dosage of taurine and caffeine can make it hard to sleep, or to sleep well, later on.”

4. Tomato sauce, chili, pizza, and spicy foods
“Digestive disturbances are a common source of sleep problems, but many people fail to make the connection. Acidic and spicy foods can cause reflux, heartburn, and other symptoms that interrupt sleep.”

5. The nightcap
“A drink or two may make you feel more relaxed after dinner, but it comes back to haunt you — literally — a few hours later, by preventing you from achieving deep sleep. And because alcohol both dehydrates you and makes you have to pee, it wakes you up, too. Wine is high in the stimulant tyrosine as well.”

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