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Health and Wellness

A collection of my articles with a health and wellness focus. If you'd like to send me a potential resource for a future article, or if you'd like to commission or hire me to write an article for you, you can send me an email at npyles86[at]gmail[dot]com.

Sleep Enlightened •

How to Sleep Better: 10 Strategies That Actually Work

There’s nothing like getting a good night’s sleep. Not only does it give you much-needed energy throughout the day, but it’s also vital for your physical and mental health. Unfortunately, it can seem impossible to get the right amount of sleep your mind and body need. Ahead, we’ll explore scientifically proven ways to sleep better at night and wake up refreshed. The right conditions in your bedroom can make all the difference in your sleep cycle. “A cool, quiet, and dark environment promotes...
Sleep Enlightened •

Blue Mind Theory: How Being Near Water Can Improve Your Sleep

Whether you love soaking in the sun or simply walking in a park, you probably know firsthand the benefits of being out in nature. Most notably, nature can help boost your mental health and leave you feeling less anxious. It could also benefit your sleep. Being near the water specifically might have extra special powers when it comes to relaxation and sleep. The concept behind this is known as “blue mind theory.” Ahead, we’ll share everything you need to know about blue mind theory and how to...
Sleep Enlightened •

How to Keep Election Anxiety From Ruining Your Sleep

A nationwide survey conducted by Myriad Genetics, Inc. finds that nearly four in 10 Americans are more anxious than usual thanks to all the election-focused news and social media posts they’re consuming this year. What’s more, a recent mental health poll from the American Psychiatric Association says 43% of adults feel more anxious now than last year, with the upcoming election being one of the biggest sources of stress. This anxiety not only affects people during the day but can also impact t...
Sleep Enlightened •

Guide to Newborn Wake Windows and the Ideal Wake Windows by Age

Babies need a lot of sleep. However, falling asleep may not come naturally to them in these early months. Your infant may feel overtired, not be tired enough, or may not have developed their circadian rhythm yet. If you’ve spent time on parenting forums or social media, you may have heard the term wake windows. Identifying your baby’s wake windows can help you promote the right sleep environment for your infant. But what is a wake window, exactly? This article will explore everything you need...
Sleep Enlightened •

What Is Lucid Dreaming?

Most of us feel like passive participants in the dream world. It seems as if our mind is guiding us along, playing out our hidden—or not-so-hidden—desires, as Sigmund Freud theorized, or expressing a deep meaning that only our unconscious mind knows, as Carl Jung believed. [1] Imagine, instead, controlling what happens. Picture yourself guiding the direction of your dream and engaging and manipulating your surroundings. That’s lucid dreaming. It’s a powerful phenomenon that studies have shown c...
Sleep Enlightened •

Can Sleep Make You Grow Taller?

Your adult height is primarily determined by your genetics, nutrition, and habits, among other factors. The human growth hormone makes you grow taller and is typically released while you sleep during your development years. Since sleep is essential to your overall health, it makes sense to assume that a lack of sleep can lead to a height deficiency. However, the science is a bit more complicated than that. Whether you’re curious about what factors contributed to your adult height or want to en...
Sleep Enlightened •

Why Don't I Remember My Dreams?

Everyone dreams, even if you don’t think you do. A study published in the scientific journal The Journal of Sleep found that those who reported they didn’t dream showed the same indications of dreaming as those who did remember theirs.

Science confirms that you dream, whether you remember or not. However, it’s not uncommon to wake up in the morning forgetting your dream.

Sometimes, you may feel you dreamed but can’t remember what happened. We’ll explore some of the reasons why you don’t rememb
Mental Floss •

11 Essentials That Will Help You Stay Safe This Summer, According to Experts

To some, the summer represents a reprieve from school responsibilities, an opportunity for fun in the sun, and a chance to get away from it all with loved ones. However, with all the excitement that awaits, it’s important to play it safe, too. From bug bites and sun damage to car trouble or getting lost on a hike, just about anything can happen when you’re away from home.

Fortunately, preparing in advance is easy. We’ve talked to a few experts to get their recommendations for what to pack in yo
Playbook •

This Low-Impact Exercise Can Add Years to Your Life

As the weather gets warmer, you may be looking for more ways to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. One of my favorite warm-weather workouts is simply lacing up my tennis shoes and going outside for a walk. You may be wondering, is walking good exercise? Absolutely! Walking is an excellent low-impact workout that offers a number of health benefits (more on those below), and just 10 extra minutes of walking per day could even help you live longer. Keep reading to learn the health benefits of daily walking habits.
Playbook •

5 Muscle Recovery Tips

One of the most important aspects of exercise and training is muscle recovery. Essential recovery time allows for your body and muscles to return to its equilibrium (aka homeostasis). Without giving your muscles time to repair between intense workouts, you increase your risk for potential injuries, soft tissue damage, and fatigue. Recovery also helps with easing the soreness in your muscles and encourages you to maintain a consistent workout regimen.

Here are a few tips...
Perfect Snacks •

3 Ways to Spring Clean From the Inside Out

It’s spring — a time of growth, rebirth and full blooms all around. You’ve probably started at least some spring cleaning rituals (and it’s okay if you haven’t); so, while you’re cleaning out the closet, stacking up items for the donation bin, and dusting out cobwebs, it’s also time to spring clean on the inside — after all, you can only do your best work physically if you feel your best.

We have a few tips for you on how to rejuvenate yourself on the inside to step out this spring with a fresh
Tarabusi Creek •

5 Things You Can do During a Digital Detox

There have been a lot of discussions lately on ditching your smart technologies thanks to a recent Vitaminwater contest. Whether or not you can devote an entire year to ditching your smartphone, there is a lot to be said for putting down your digital device. We could all use a break from technology, so if you've decided to cut back or cut out your smartphone completely in 2019, here are a few things you can consider doing while you take a break from technology.
Tarabusi Creek •

3 Reasons You Should Take a Mental Health Day

With news about the coronavirus going around like crazy, it can be hard to think of our mental health in addition to worrying about our physical health. We're all being encouraged to wash our hands more, stay home if we don't feel good, and bring home a few extra non-perishable goods. However, your health is far more than physical. It's mental too. Here are a few reasons to take a mental health day (your mental health and physical health will thank you for it).

Get in Touch

If you'd like to hire me to write an article or want to send me information I can potentially use in a future piece, email me at npyles86[at]gmail[dot]com.