Image Source

Getting enough sleep is known to be one of the foundations of good health. Mentally and physically, if you aren’t getting enough rest, then you’re susceptible to a host of conditions which can threaten your wellbeing. However, it’s also well known that the modern Western world is messing up the sleep patterns humans naturally have, and our 24/7, always-on culture shows no signs of slowing down. Fortunately, though technology is contributing to the problem, it’s also coming up with new ways to help aid our rest and help us get that vital shut-eye. Here are five of the best new technologies to improve your sleep:

Gradual Alarm Clocks

Mainly during the winter months, our routines and wake up times can be far from the natural, seasonal rhythms of sunrise and sunset that would naturally govern our sleep patterns. So if you find yourself having to wake up in the dark, a gradual light alarm clock like the Lumie Bodyclock can help. Set a preferred wake-up time, and the light will gradually come on, helping you to wake up naturally and feel more alert during the day. The light produced triggers your body’s production of cortisol, which supports a healthier sleep/wake cycle and makes beating the winter blues far easier.

Cpap machines

Sleep apnea is a growing issue preventing many people from having a restorative night time. The condition causes interruptions to the breathing pattern at night, affecting oxygen reaching the vital organs of the body and causing hundreds of ‘micro wake-ups’ during the night that can leave sufferers waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed. The key to easing the problem lies in buying the best cpap machine – a machine that supplies a steady air pressure through a mask or a nasal piece to remedy breathing difficulties. There are lots of different models, some with add-ons such as humidifiers, so thorough research is key to finding the right individual fit. Some machines can be expensive, but can you put a price on health?

Meditation apps

If you’re one of the thousands who report trouble drifting off to sleep at night, meditation apps can be a lot of help. Smartphone apps such as Calm and Headspace take the user through guided relaxation techniques designed to help you unwind and drift off to sleep naturally. If you sometimes feel like you can’t switch off the noise in your head, they can be an especially useful tool for teaching how to switch off. Specially designed headphones embedded in a soft headband or even pillows with embedded speakers can help you to make the most of this technology.

Aromatherapy diffusers

The benefits of aromatherapy in aiding sleep are well documented, and even though it’s an ancient remedy, new tech brings it into the twenty-first century. New model ultrasonic aromatherapy diffusers dispense scent through the room for a therapeutic effect, and a lot of them also feature soothing light displays featuring color-change LEDs. Designs range for ultra-modern to more traditional diffusers in natural textures like wood and stone, so whatever your home décor, you can match the style of the diffuser to that.

Sleep tracking tech

There’s been a massive expansion in mapping personal sleep patterns using sleep tracking tech, and the number of devices on the market is ever-expanding. From smart mattresses that monitor the amount and quality of your sleep to wearable tracking devices like the Fitbit and even wireless bedside monitors if you don’t fancy something physically being in your bed, you can now get a massive amount of data that will help to identify periods of disruption to your sleep.Working out how to eliminate them is the bit that comes after! There are lots of options out there to suit every budget, including a nightshirt loaded with sensors that will monitor you through the night.

When you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while, it’s only natural to have a look at your diet. There could, in all honesty, by many reasons to why conception takes a bit longer than you originally had in mind – but keeping a healthy and active life will certainly not harm anyone.

Image via: Pexels

There are a lot of different foods pregnant women try to steer clear off or fill their plates with, so it makes sense to treat your body to some preparation before the pregnancy. Here is a handy list of the best foods to snack on while you’re trying to conceive, making the meantime a bit more enjoyable.

Go for protein from beans

A study performed by Harvard School of Public Health shows that infertility in women who were actively trying to get pregnant were 39 % higher if they consumed mostly animal proteins. It doesn’t mean that you should abandon all proteins right away, though, as the same study found that those who had a high intake of plant proteins were substantially less likely to experience infertility.

Meatless Mondays are here to stay, in other words, and you can safely dish up casseroles of chili and other bean-based meals to boost your fertility.

Whole milk instead of skim milk

Milk is great news for your body when you’re trying to start a family. The Nurses’ Health Study found that one or two daily servings of whole milk products, such as full cream yogurt or even ice cream, is able to protect you against infertility.

Following in the footsteps of plant protein above, the study also found that women who enjoyed a lot of skim and low-fat milk experienced the opposite effect. We want protein and dairy, in other words, we just want them to be from plants and full-fat.

Fill up on folate

Luckily, it’s not just us women who should try to stay as healthy as possible when trying to conceive. Folate, for example, is proven to improve the quality of your man’s sperm, making a potential miscarriage a lot less likely. You’ll find folate in spinach, other dark leafy greens in general, as well as asparagus and avocado, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get the right amount.

Save a few handfuls of spinach for yourself as well, by the way, as the Vitamin B dense food may be able to boost ovulation. It’s the kind of food that gets you started a bit faster, but if you have been trying to get pregnant for a while now, it’s always a good idea to have a word with your doctor. He or she can help you manage your IVF costs and figure out the best IVF plan for your needs so that you don’t have to waste precious time.

Whole wheat bread to stabilize blood sugar

Forget about the pregnancy diet, says Harvard School of Public Health; it’s not really as much about snacking on oysters the whole day, as a proper pregnancy diet should be rich in wholesome foods such as grains and full-fat dairy. The kind of food your grandmother would serve you, in other words.

The reasons are as crystal clear as for anyone else trying to stay healthy, with complex carbs taking longer to digest than refined ones, giving you that stable and healthy blood sugar we’re always talking about.

Increased insulin levels in the body have a tendency to disrupt reproductive hormones and, according to a Dutch study, women with high blood sugar levels were only half as likely to conceive as those who prefer brown bread and rice to the white versions.

Anti-inflammatory foods

Foods that are high in monounsaturated fats, such as fatty fish and olive oil, has been hailed for their ability to decrease inflammation in the body. Although we can discuss the effects of the anti-inflammatory diet all we like, it’s quite evident that the foods it includes are healthy and perfectly good for your body when you’re trying to start a family.

Salmon is lower in mercury than other types of fish, by the way, so if you’re worried about the few downsides to eating fish, go for salmon. It’s delicious in any way.

Olive oil is a safe bet when you like to increase the amount of fat you’re consuming, so replace it with butter when cooking, sprinkle it over your salads and have a handful of olives too once in a while.

A balanced and varied diet, an active lifestyle, and getting the right amount of sleep is really all you can do to prepare your body. Anything else is out of your control, so have a word with your doctor to find the best solution if you’re worried about your health or other problems.