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Sunday, April 20, 2014

5 sleep mistakes you may have made last night

You’ve run yourself down and desperately need a night of quality Zzzs. But when you hit the pillow, your mind is racing, you’re tossing and turning, and you wake up feeling sluggish all over again.
We may not like to admit it, but having trouble sleeping may be a result of what we do – or don’t do – during the day and before bed.
Dr. Carol Ash, the director for Sleep Medicine at Meridian Health, reveals the top five sleep mistakes and how you can fix them, so you wake up feeling rested, revitalized and ready for the day.

1. Eating too much protein before bed
Avoid eating calorie-dense food, especially protein, right before bed. Protein takes longer to digest, making your body work hard while you’re trying to sleep. “I recommend that people have dinner for breakfast,” says Dr. Ash. A larger meal in the morning will you give you the energy you need for the day and allow your body to focus on sleeping at night.

2. Taking a hot shower before bed
Your body’s core temperature should drop around bedtime to signal it’s time to sleep. If you take a hot shower right before bed, you’re silencing that signal. Don’t want to give up that steamy shower? Take it at least 1.5 to 2 hours before sleeping.

3. Bad posture during the day
Improved posture sets the stage for good sleep. Stand up straight during the day, and sleep on your back to minimize muscle aches and pains. Use a foam roller five minutes before bed. Place it between your shoulder blades and lie on it to stretch your back muscles. This will increase flexibility and reinforce a better posture.

4. Thinking exercise interferes with sleep
The National Sleep Foundation 2013 poll showed exercise any time of day will improve the quality of your sleep.

5. Tossing and turning thinking at least I am getting sleep
This only increases anxiety, making it even harder to fall asleep. Get out of bed and only return when you’re tired. This stops the brain from associating the bedroom with worry.

 
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    A chance to meet Brad Pitt for $10

    Groupon's hottest deal ever: A chance to meet Brad Pitt for $10

    April 18, 2014 at 9:11 AM ET

    Great dining and activity deals are expected from Groupon, but a chance to meet an A-list actor? Now that's an option too. Brad Pitt has teamed with the deal-of-the-day site to raise money for his Make It Right organization.

    For a mere $10, fans and philanthropists can enter for a chance to win the opportunity to meet the "World War Z" star. The prize includes two VIP tickets to the Make It Right Gala (held May 17 in New Orleans), the chance for a group meet-and-greet with Pitt, airfare and hotel for two, transportation to and a private tour of the Ninth Ward site, and the option to volunteer for a day at the site.

    Bruno Mars and Kings of Leon will be performing at the gala.

    Make It Right was founded by the actor in 2007 to build safe, green homes and buildings for communities in need. He launched the group after visiting New Orleans two years after Hurricane Katrina hit, when he saw how little had been done to rebuild the hardest hit area of the city, the Lower Ninth Ward. 

    For those with bigger savings accounts and who want a guaranteed opportunity to meet Pitt, Groupon is offering the "epic deal." A $25,000 donation gets the buyer everything in the contest, plus airfare upgraded to first class and a hotel suite. Only nine epic deals are available. According to the website, $22,500 of each epic deal will go to Make It Right.

    Pitt is the latest A-list actor to offer fans a chance to meet him to benefit charity. George Clooney, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon all recently offered themselves up for dates in order to raise money for the organizations closest to their hearts.

    Image: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
    Jason Merritt
    The two actors (and their growing family) travel the world for worthy causes.