Insomnia is one of the commonest of all sleep disorders and is characterized by frequent interruptions to sleep, restlessness, shorter than usual sleeping time and occasionally by complete wakefulness.

Apart from being extremely annoying, insomnia can cause sufferers to lose their energy and enthusiasm, develop memory and concentration problems and to feel lethargic and frustrated. This in turn can lead to a drop in work productivity and also to accidents which can have serious consequences.

There are lots of different causes of insomnia but here are just 6 which are commonly seen:

1. Our Environment. The environment plays an important part when it comes to you getting a sound night’s sleep and such things as light, noise or extremes of hot and cold can lead to insomnia.

2. Substance Abuse. Perhaps the most obvious form of substance abuse when thinking about insomnia is coffee and other drinks which contain high levels of caffeine. Smoking is another commonly accepted cause with heavy or chain smokers consuming more than enough nicotine to cause problems sleeping. What is perhaps less well known however is that this list of substances is quite long and even contains a number of herbal remedies which are used for a range of problems and which can lead to insomnia as a side effect. Lastly, we should not overlook alcohol. While it is true that alcohol can often make you feel tired initially once it is metabolized it can also keep you wide awake.

3. Disturbance To The Biological Clock. Each of us has our own body clock or circadian rhythm which is controlled in part by light and darkness and which regulates the body’s sleep/wake cycle. If this clock is thrown out of balance by things like staying up all night studying in college, partying into the small hours or jetting off around the world on business or for pleasure, then you will suffer from sleeping difficulties while the clock slowly tries to re-adjust itself.

4. Activities Prior To Bedtime. There are a number of things which can lead to insomnia if they happen within a reasonably short time of going to bed. Two of the most common are taking vigorous exercise shortly before retiring or eating a large meal when you are just about to go to bed. Both of these activities stimulate the body’s metabolism and thus keep you awake.

5. Health Problems. There are a large number of health problems that are known to induce insomnia including heart failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, ulcers, and Parkinson’s disease. Asthma is also being seen more and more as a cause of insomnia, as is the need for frequent urination, heartburn and chronic pain resulting from things like arthritis and leg cramps. The list of medical conditions which can cause insomnia is very long and also includes other types of sleep disorder such as sleep apnea as well as a range of psychiatric conditions.

6. Emotional Problems. Almost all of us suffer from emotional distress occasionally and this can frequently lead to such things as anxiety or anger. But, if we keep our feelings to ourselves instead of talking about them and seeking a solution to them then this commonly results in insomnia.

Acne has, over the years, been the cause of an incredible amount of heartache, especially amongst teenagers. However acne is not a disease restricted to just this age group as the problem can persist well into adulthood and even appear in adults who had note previously suffered from the affliction.

The vast majority of women are dismayed to discover that they can suddenly develop acne during pregnancy. My husband was immensely alarmed when pimples started to appear on my face as I had not even had spots during my teenage years. To be honest I think that my skin never really recovered as I continued to have acne outbreaks for many years until I learnt how to bring them under control and reduce the frequency of them dramatically. Although there are periods when I get the odd pimple or two I can usually stop it progressing to a full outbreak with just a little care and attention to the way I treat it.

Although many people say that not washing your face is not the cause of acne I would say that having a good skin care regime is paramount to success in the fight against pimples. I have, through trial and error, discovered that if I keep my skin clean and healthy I have fewer spots appearing. Therefore, if you suffer from acne prone skin, I strongly advise you cleanse your skin deeply every day followed by the use of an astringent or toner (which closes the pores after cleansing).

When choosing which skin cleansers and toners to use you need to ensure that you match the skin care product with your skin type. This is extremely important as some skin care products, especially if they have been formulated for greasy skin, are simply far to harsh for sensitive dry skin.

An alternative way in which you can massively reduce the risks of an acne breakout is by having regular skin care treatments such as microdermabrasion or a mild chemical peel. These treatments were developed as anti-aging skin care treatments but it has been scientifically proven that they can have a dramatic effect upon acne prone skin vastly reducing the risk of outbreaks and bringing acne quickly under control. However you should never have such a treatment on areas where there is active acne.

If, after you have tried the above, you discover that you still have zits appearing on your face then it may be time to try something a little more aggressive. If you are only suffering from it a little then it is perfectly reasonable to try some of the over the counter remedies. Sometimes these products can nip the problem in the bud. Such over the counter products often contain benzoyl peroxide but only in low quantities around 2.5% it is possible to buy up to 10% but nothing more powerful for use on the skin.5 and 10%. Other active ingredients include sulfur and salicylic acid (sulfur has been successfully used in the treatment of skin problems for over 50 years.

If, sadly, your acne persists you should really seek further medical advice by visiting your family doctor who will be able to prescribe acne treatments which are far more powerful than those available over the counter. Sometimes a short course of antibiotics will bring an outbreak under control within a few days. Alarmingly it is far too common to find that doctors prescribe antibiotics for acne even before trying to stop it using other proven methods and treatments first. While this will make the patient happy it is now generally accepted that the overuse of such drugs can only lead to problems. I therefore feel that it is important that you at least attempt using the simple methods first.

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Doctors and beauty experts say that some amount of oil is essential to keep our skin healthy and glowing. Going further, oils can even influence our mental condition. No wonder then that essential oils are a rage today.

Essential oils are obtained from the seeds, peel, bark, flowers, roots, and leaves of various plants. Although this term is comparatively new, people have been using essential oils for physical and mental health since time immemorial. Ancient Ayurvedic texts from India report the use of such oils to treat various aches and pains and induce relaxation of mind and body. Today, apart from Ayurveda, essential oils are used in aromatherapy, cosmetics, perfumery, and incense. They are also used to impart flavor to certain dishes and to add fragrance to domestic cleaning products.  

Essential oils are concentrated liquids, and they have the essence of the plant from which they are derived. Its not that all parts of a plant yield essential oil, for example, orange peel, cedar wood, almond seed, and clove flower are the respective parts of the plants that are used to obtain oil.      

As essential oils are marketed in concentrated forms, they should not be applied undiluted on the skin. They are diluted with the help of carrier oils like olive or hazelnut by qualified and experienced aroma-therapists, so avoid mixing and matching oils on your own at home! Use of undiluted essential oil or the wrong mix can trigger severe allergic reactions. For the same reason, never allow kids to handle essential oils without adult supervision. As essential oils smell really nice, kids may have the tendency to consume them. So, if you keep these oils at home, store them in a locked cabinet and out of children’s reach.    

Before your aromatherapy session, request a patch test with the recommended essential oil. This is especially important if you are prone to allergies in general. Some oils are not known to cause any allergy, but even then, never bypass this step. Essential oils are inflammable so it’s essential to store them properly. In addition, use very small amounts of oil and never consume essential oils.

Citrus, lavender, sandalwood, jojoba, chamomile, tea tree oils are some oils that are used as massage, bath, or skin care oils. These help to nourish skin, reduce inflammation, and tackle infection and keep skin soft and fresh. A skin care expert or an aroma-therapist will tell you exactly which oil will be suitable for your skin type. Apart from widespread use in skin care, essential oils are used to relax the body and the mind.

Jasmine, basil, frankincense, sandalwood, peppermint are some oils used in aromatherapy to treat fatigue. Frankincense, orange, lemon, and rose oils reportedly induce a sense of well-being and happiness. Confidence boosters include grapefruit, cypress, and jasmine oils; grapefruit and jasmine oils are also excellent stress busters. If you suffer from low confidence levels or are constantly depressed, aromatherapy sessions can help. While jasmine, orange, grapefruit and rosemary oils can enhance your confidence, rose sandalwood, and lavender can lift your spirits.  

If you don’t have the time or the money for expensive aromatherapy sessions you can simply light incense sticks containing essential oils at home. They will not only add fragrance to your home, but will have a soothing effect on you. You could also buy perfumes that contain essential oils like lavender or jasmine. The options are many for the seeker!