Nina Agdal and Trainer Akin Akman Design Stretching Routine Specifically For Long Drives
Joy to Drive: Built for Comfort - Nina Agdal, Akin Akman, & the First-Ever Buick Envision | Buick
Joy to Drive: Built for Comfort - Nina Agdal, Akin Akman, & the First-Ever Buick Envision | Buick
WATCH NOW
1. Neck Stretch
Description: This gentle stretch targets the sides of your neck.
Benefit to driver: A stiff neck can cause headaches and upper back pain so it’s important to loosen up to aid comfort ahead of a long drive.

2. Eccentric Upper Body Push Up
Description: This is an inclined push-up in which she will slowly lower herself onto the car until her chest is almost touching the hood or front panel, and then return explosively to the starting position.
Benefit to driver: Strengthens chest and back muscles while engaging the core. Increases blood flow to arms and upper body. Returning explosively to the starting position increases blood flow, heart rate, and boosts overall alertness.

 
3. Eccentric Lower Body Squat
Description: Standing close to the back bumper with your back facing the back of the car, slowly lower down into a squat until your butt just touches the bumper. Then quickly return to a standing position.
Benefit to driver: Builds strength in your legs. The quick return to a full standing position awakens the senses by increasing heart rate and blood flow, elevating one’s focus and attentiveness.
4. Back Mobility
Description: With your arms reaching back behind you, slowly bend your back towards the car until you can place your hands flat on its surface. (It is not necessary to go into a full “bridge” position.) Finish the exercise by returning to a standing position — and then performing a forward toe touch.
Benefit to driver: Sitting for long periods builds tension in the lower back. This exercise releases that tightness in the lower back. The forward toe touch serves to loosen the hamstrings. 
Behind the Scenes: Joy to Drive - Nina Agdal, Akin Akman & the First-Ever Buick Envision | Buick
Behind the Scenes: Joy to Drive - Nina Agdal, Akin Akman & the First-Ever Buick Envision | Buick
WATCH NOW
Akin teamed up with model and client Nina Agdal to demonstrate some of these key moves on site at Buick's Studio Envision in East Hampton this past weekend where the “Joy to Drive” video was screened for the first time. An intimate group of hosted guests at The Buick Studio Envision, an immersive experience in the heart of the Hamptons, also underwent “Joy to Drive” work out with Akin Akman and Nina Agdal (pictured above).
 

Buick Celebrates new compact luxury SUV, the first-ever Buick Envision, with "Buick Envision Joy to Drive" Video 
Nina Agdal and Akin Akman design custom stretching routine to aid with comfort on long drives

Health and wellbeing are top of mind for more and more Americans today, and for Buick as well. The first ever Buick Envision five passenger compact luxury SUV feature's signature Quiet Tuning, advanced driver assist technologies, and soft-touch materials, designed to contribute to a more relaxing, calm and happy driving experience.

Today, Buick is proud to release a new piece of video content inspired by the Envision, the "Buick Envision Joy to Drive" video.

The "Buick Envision Joy to Drive" video delivers a special stretching routine created by super trainer Akin Akman alongside his client, model Nina Agdal. The duo designed the routine specifically to aid comfort before, and after, long drives. 

I travel a lot for work with much of it being long distance whether it be driving or flying and I know first-hand the value of making sure that pre and post journey I look after my body – stretching helps deliver that comfort that allows me to relax and make the journey a joy,” said model Nina Agdal.

Speaking on the routine he created with Agdal and the need to stretch to create driving comfort trainer Akin Akman said, “These moves were designed to support core strength and increase blood flow and heart rate to stimulate alertness which is helpful both pre and post long drive.”

The "Buick Envision Joy to Drive” video celebrates the design details within the Buick Envision including premium soft touch materials, sculpted surfaces, ambient lighting and ample leg room which combine to deliver comfort for driver and passenger and thereby a happier drive.

The custom Nina Agdal and Akin Akman "Buick Envision Joy to Drive" Stretching Routine consists of the following four maneuvers, to be done both pre and post drive:

1. Neck Stretch
Description: This gentle stretch targets the sides of your neck.
Benefit to driver: A stiff neck can cause headaches and upper back pain so it’s important to loosen up to aid comfort ahead of a long drive.
2. Eccentric Upper Body Push Up
Description: This is an inclined push-up in which she will slowly lower herself onto the car until her chest is almost touching the hood or front panel, and then return explosively to the starting position.
Benefit to driver: Strengthens chest and back muscles while engaging the core. Increases blood flow to arms and upper body. Returning explosively to the starting position increases blood flow, heart rate, and boosts overall alertness.

3. Eccentric Lower Body Squat
Description: Standing close to the back bumper with your back facing the back of the car, slowly lower down into a squat until your butt just touches the bumper. Then quickly return to a standing position.
Benefit to driver: Builds strength in your legs. The quick return to a full standing position awakens the senses by increasing heart rate and blood flow, elevating one’s focus and attentiveness.

4. Back Mobility
Description: With your arms reaching back behind you, slowly bend your back towards the car until you can place your hands flat on its surface. (It is not necessary to go into a full “bridge” position.) Finish the exercise by returning to a standing position — and then performing a forward toe touch.
Benefit to driver: Sitting for long periods builds tension in the lower back. This exercise releases that tightness in the lower back. The forward toe touch serves to loosen the hamstrings. 

---
About Buick Envision: 
Buick Studio Envision takes inspiration from the Buick brand values of quiet, calm and comfort and continues the support of the growing trend for wellness and the pursuit of happiness, a core American value. The all-new Envision is a perfect blend of style, refinement, versatility, and safety. These attributes give passengers a driving experience that creates a harmonious and spacious environment and a sense of wellbeing. 

About Buick:
Buick is an international modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors and thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet- efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models in North America and China. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick, on Instagram @BuickUSA, or at www.facebook.com/bu

Instagram: @BuickUSA
Twitter: @Buick
Facebook: @Buick
#ThatsABuick #BuickEnvision

The future of women’s running has arrived with the new adidas PureBOOST X

adidas has teamed up with female athletes from around the world to deliver PureBOOST X, a running shoe created for women, by women.

Based on years of testing and research with women everywhere, adidas has created a sleek, form-fitting running shoe built to meet the relentless energy of their active lifestyle. While most running shoes are adaptations of male shoes, PureBOOST X ($130) was designed with only the female athlete in mind resulting in a high performance meets high fashion running shoe for women.

The petite, adaptive silhouette of PureBOOST X wraps the foot in style and rests it on a full length bed of thousands of energy infused BOOST™ foam capsules. The BOOST midsole provides energy in every step that will make running the best part of keeping fit.

“The most common feedback we received during our years of working with female athletes was the desire for a running shoe with looks to keep up with the energy of its performance,” said Jennifer Thomas, Senior Director for Global Brands, Running. “PureBOOST X is a product of innovation and style working in perfect harmony to meet the demands of today’s versatile female athlete.


The adidas PureBOOST X in action

PureBOOST X features a new floating arch that provides a completely fresh look and feel. The adaptive stretch mesh of the floating arch wraps underneath the midfoot to make the foot look smaller while delivering a supportive sensation you can feel through every run.

The stretch mesh upper, floating arch and lock down lacing system provides a personalized fit that hugs the foot from heel to toe. The stretch web outsole is designed to allow for flex at any point enabling the foot to maintain its natural motion.

From lacing up through cooling down or making a statement with style, PureBOOST X feels exhilarating and looks amazing the moment you put it on.

adidas PureBOOST X retails for $130 CAD and will be available on adidas.ca and in stores from February 3.

Ancient dance form meets trending workout

dancer

New beginners guide teaches fundamentals of bellydance

TORONTO – The exotic world of bellydance is a fun way to stay fit with gentle and fluid movements. Growing in popularity as a low-impact exercise, it helps build stamina, enhance flexibility, improve cardiovascular health and strengthen core muscles.

Evyenia Karmi, bellydance instructor, performer and choreographer of 22 years, is sharing her expertise beyond the dance floor with a new beginners guide titled “Quintessential Bellydance.” Readers will learn basic beginner movements with this easy-to-read, dictionary-formatted book that includes pictures throughout for reference.

Karmi provides readers with weekly routine combinations that work core muscles and guide readers towards grace and elegance. Her compact, easy-to-use guide features a warm-up routine, basic arm movements, techniques for the upper and lower body, traveling steps, and an introduction to veil work.

“These basic steps are used by enthusiasts and professionals alike,” Karmi said. “This is the starting point that will provide the fundamental dance steps needed to advance to the next stage.”

For more information, visit www.evyeniakarmi.com.

 

“Quintessential Bellydance: Beginner Class Companion”

By Evyenia Karmi

ISBN: 978-1475947878

Available in softcover, hardcover, e-book

Available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iUniverse and Chapters Indigo

 

About the author

Evyenia Karmi resides in Toronto, Canada where she also teaches bellydance. She has performed for the Greek, Turkish, East Indian and Arabic communities. As a member of the International Dance Council, Karmi continues to perform in theatres and festivals. This is her first book.

KIND Snacks Urges FDA to Redefine “Healthy”

KIND

Company, with Support of Nutrition Experts Petitions U.S. Food and Drug Administration to Update Guidelines Established 20+ Years Ago

 KIND Snacks, with support from leading nutrition, public health and public policy experts, has filed a Citizen Petition urging the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to update its regulations around the term healthy when used as a nutrient content claim in food labeling. http://dnr.vnr1.com/2015/11/30/KIND_Snacks

KIND Founder and CEO Daniel Lubetzky explains that wholesome and nutrient-rich foods like almonds, salmon, olive oil and avocados cannot be labeled as healthy because of these foods inherent fat content.

The petition also reflects the importance of eating whole foods and foods made with wholesome and nutrient-rich ingredients as part of a healthy dietary pattern.

Currently, the FDA mandates that the word “healthy” only be used as a nutrient content claim to describe individual foods that contain 3 grams or less total fat and 1 gram or less of saturated fat per serving. Fish and meat must have 5g or less total fat and 3g or less saturated fat per serving to use healthy as a nutrition content claim.

The policy effort, which cites evidence from multiple nutrition studies and current federal Dietary Guidelines, is supported by a number of leading health and wellness experts including Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPhD, Dean, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts; Sara Baer-Sinnott, President of Oldways; and Connie Diekman, Registered Dietitian and former President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

For more information, visit KIND Snacks’ blog at www.KINDsnacks.com

THE LAZY GIRL’S HIGH TECH TRICK FOR LOSING INCHES BY NEW YEAR’S AND FITNESS HACKS

With just one month left until New Year’s Eve, it’s time to squeeze into a little black dress and stay up ‘til midnight, it’s time to prep. The good news is, if you don’t want to squeeze into your outfit, there’s still four weeks left to tone up and loose those few pounds or inches that make the difference between, “You look great!” and jaw-dropping silence. Here are some fitness hacks and one high tech “lazy girl’s trick for achieving your ideal NYE look.

THE HIGH TECH WAY- STRAWBERRY LASER LIPO

www.strawberry-laser.us

First introduced in London, the Strawberry Laser’s cold laser technology is now available in the United States. Already, over 5 million people worldwide have lost instant inches with Strawberry. There are now Strawberry systems installed in over 30 countries.

The Strawberry Laser is an FDA cleared, painless alternative to liposuction that achieves non-invasive inch-loss and body contouring by shrinking fat cells. With each 10-20 minute treatment, unwanted fat is naturally released from the body via the lymphatic system. The results are instant. Clients can lose up to 8 inches in 1 treatment and two areas of the body can be treated at once.

So how does it work?

Prior to each treatment, precise measurements are taken at multiple levels around a patient’s specific target area(s). During the treatment, low-level (cold) laser technology is used to painlessly melt fat within the fat cells. The process is similar to exercise. When a person exercises, triglycerides are released from the fat cells. With these being released, the fat cells reduce in size (adipocytes). The Strawberry Laser works in a similar way, pulling the triglycerides from the fat cells. This results in millions of fat cells becoming smaller, so inches are reduced off the waist, hips, thighs, arms, buttocks and male breasts. Exercising in conjunction with Strawberry Laser treatments further stimulates the fat reduction process. Surrounding tissues, such as blood vessels, nerves and skin cells are unaffected by the procedure.

Cost: Between $1,500 and $2,000 for a course of 8, 20 minute treatments.

THE TRADITIONAL WAY – FITNESS HACKS

www.franicohen.com

Franci Cohen is a NYC certified fitness trainer, nutritionist and exercise physiologist. Here she provides tips on how to hack your way to better fitness before New Year’s.

Strength with Cardio

For most, weight-training and cardio exercise are two separate events. However, mixing strength exercises with a cardio interval, like a 30 second sprint, will boost the metabolism and growth hormones.

Go Compound

Try multi-joint or compound exercises that engage multiple muscle groups at the same time. Replace isolated exercises, which only focus on one muscle group at a time, with movements like the squat or deadlift to burn more calories and increase your metabolic rate.

Train Like an Athlete

Huge biceps look great, but are unlikely to contribute to overall health. Instead of training like a bodybuilder try exercising like an athlete. Include plyometrics, kettlebell swings and sprints in your training plan to add intensity and variety to workouts while improving overall fitness.

Go Heavy

Lifting heavier weights for less repetitions helps to build strength and shed fat. Start with a weight that is manageable for 15 reps. Then add weight over time to find a weight that is doable for eight to ten repetitions. Remember, always practice perfect form, and try to work for an extra rep before calling it quits.
Bring a Friend

Working out with a partner improves results and makes the going-to-the-gym experience a more enjoyable one. Having a partner to provide encouragement during workouts can help you get the most out of a workout. And when you have someone relying on you to do the same, it makes you accountable and more likely to show up for workouts.

Don't Train, Compete

Turn workouts into a competition with yourself of a workout partner. Join a sports league, play pick-up basketball or sign-up for a 5K. Or create your own challenges in the gym by completing a circuit workout as fast as possible, pushing the pace and intensity.

Write it Down

Record the exercises, sets and repetitions performed during workouts. Keeping track of goals and progress will reveal what you have accomplished and where you can improve. With that knowledge on hand, it's then possible to structure workouts that play to your strengths and improve weaknesses.

Hydrate

Be sure to drink plenty of water during workouts and throughout the day. Heading into a workout dehydrated takes its toll on muscles, motivation and energy levels. Drink up and train hard, then don't forget to refuel with food and water after workouts to promote recovery.

 

Dalyn Miller PR Logo

CHANGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD AND THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE FINDING LIFELONG HEALTH AND WELLNESS

THE PLANET FRIENDLY DIET
Your 21-Day Guide to Sustainable Weight Loss and Optimal Health

by Cat Smiley
January 2016

2016 will be off to a great start as readers begin a journey to optimum health with a unique, all-inclusive program for a greener, healthier lifestyle based on responsible dietary choices. They will be able lose weight, feel great, and minimize the impact of their eating habits on the environment with leading body-transformation expert Cat Smiley and her simple step-by-step program for a complete detox and reboot which can all be found in her new book.

THE PLANET FRIENDLY DIET [January 2016, $29.95 US / $29.95 CAN] motivates, educates and empowers readers to kick start their change with clean eating and easy-to-follow recipes. Targeted specifically to those who know it’s time to make a change but unsure where to start, the book opens with an all-inclusive 21-day meal plan which enables readers to dramatically cut back on meat and animal by-products while working towards a leaner, healthier self. They will then be able apply all they learned during the program to everyday life using the accompanying nutrition guide to transform short-term success into sustainable, lifelong results. The diet is meat, dairy, wheat and gluten-free, and comes with a weekly shopping list to ensure zero-waste. The book includes all single-portion recipes and every meal shares the following benchmarks:

  • Designed to eliminate food waste
  • Fresh, every day ingredients
  • Costs less than $5
  • Is under 500 calories
  • Takes no more than 20 minutes to prepare
  • All meals fit a variety of healthy lifestyles including diabetic, kosher and halal dietary needs

Fully illustrated with mouthwatering images of each internationally inspired recipe, it's like having a dedicated nutrition coach and a personal chef while you not just learn how to cook, but also how to understand the science behind your food choices. Whether readers are looking to give their eating patterns a complete makeover or start a change towards a healthier life, THE PLANET FRIENDLY DIET will help them lose weight, get fit and feel great – while contributing to the wider good of our delicate planet as well!

About the Author
Cat Smiley, is an award-winning body transformation specialist and owner of Canada's popular weight-loss retreat for women, Whistler Fitness Vacations (The Planet Friendly Diet is the official nutrition plan for her retreat). A former world-class skier, Cat has been named as Canada's top trainer three times by the International Sport Science Association, and is a renowned body transformation specialist. She is a popular fitness and weight loss expert for many publications, and her fitness column Kick Start was nationally syndicated across Canadian community newspapers. Her goal is to inspire and educate people to find their happy size and live a healthier life through empowering them to make their own nutrition choices. Please visit Cat’s website, www.catsmiley.com for blog posts and videos about lifestyle, recipes and nutrition, fitness workouts and travel.

* * *

THE PLANET FRIENDLY DIET
Your 21-Day Guide to Sustainable Weight Loss and Optimal Health
by Cat Smiley
New Society Publishers
January 2016
$29.95 US / CAN
Original Trade Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-86571-811-1

Toronto's first modern Pierogarnia restaurant, The Saucy Pierogi is now open 

saucyperogi

Dundas West restaurant now serving full dinner menu, share plates, premium vodkas, cocktails and craft beers

Toronto, ON - After dominating the Toronto food scene for over two years as a pop-up restaurant and festival favourite, The Saucy Pierogi (TSP) is now open on trendy Dundas St. West (1282 Dundas St. W.). The restaurant pairs creative Pierogi dishes with a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.

“This menu is without a doubt Polish in its DNA but since we’re in Canada, we wanted to celebrate its ingredients in our dishes,” says Konrad Obara, owner. “I wanted to blend traditional Polish cooking techniques with “out-of-the-box” flavour combinations in a cool venue with good vibes.” 

Meant to be shared, the dinner menu features pierogi stuffed with gourmet fillings like braised beef, pulled pork, jerk chicken, and classics like cheddar potato. Pierogi and all other menu items are made in house; including soups, stocks and schnitzel. The cocktail and beer menu features signature cocktails, founded on the classics as well as a rotating craft beer menu and both premium and rare vodkas.

TSP blends a standing cocktail bar and sit-down restaurant, serving through to late night, offering house creations inspired by traditional polish Pierogarnia. The lively atmosphere is suitable for a quick after-work snack or a top spot to end an evening on the Dundas and Ossington strip.

TSP’s 1000 sq. ft. interior seats 77, with 10 comfortable stools at the bar. Boasting floor-to-ceiling front windows that slide open for the summer, and wood finished accents under candle lit table tops; the venue draws a warmth and rustic balance to the contemporary design, which, displays Polish-street art and photography throughout.

TSP will also feature a retail section offering take home goods, including soups such as Cabbage and Bacon, or their vegan Potato and Leek, house-made sauces, grab and go dinners, cabbage rolls, and frozen pierogi dozens for home preparation.

The Saucy Pierogi is open from 6pm until Late, Tuesday through Saturday.

Website: www.thesaucypierogi.com Twitter: @thesaucypierogi Facebook: @TheSaucyPierogi Instagram: @thesaucypierogi

About The Saucy Pierogi: 

The Saucy Pierogi is Toronto's first modern Pierogarnia restaurant. Established in 2013, The Saucy Pierogi has sparked a passion for delicious and innovative pierogi. The Saucy Pierogi features modern handmade pierogi filled with delicious ingredients like jerk chicken, braised beef and pulled pork, all accompanied by unique and inspired sauces and salads.

For more information, interviews or high-res images, please contact: Noah Parker, at info@thesaucypierogi.com or 416.516.1361

1282 Dundas St West

Toronto, Ontario M6J 1X7

Coconut Chips Prove to be the Latest Dance Craze!

0fe14e92-9625-4ed8-a858-37db3141e1d2.jpg

 

LEADING SPORTS AND REHABILITATION EXPERT OPENS ONE-STOP SHOP DEDICATED TO WELLNESS   
Toronto, ON (October 20, 2015) - Top Toronto sports and rehabilitation expert, Dr. Sapna Sriram announces the opening of her new clinic Integra Health Centre, Toronto's most comprehensive corporate boutique health clinic located in downtown Toronto's financial district. This unique one stop health service clinic offers patients a variety of services ranging from family medicine to sports medicine to cosmetic medicine to chiropractic, naturopathy and much more.
Having established herself as a leader in the sports medicine industry, Dr. Sapna's clinic Integra Health Centre integrates her 15+ years of experience to cater to the needs of Toronto urban and business communities all under one roof.
"Integra Health is not your typical doctor's office, we are a new boutique health clinic and we are reinventing how we take on your health." says Dr. Sapna, Sports and Rehabilitation expert. "Our goal is to cultivate an environment where patients can benefit from a variety of services at one convenient location using an integrative team based approach with top rated professionals. We have put together a team of industry professionals that will ensure our patients receive the best treatments and rediscover a healthier life"
Spanning 5000 square feet, the space boasts 18 treatment rooms, a rehab room, a comfortable private lounge, and presentation room. Integra Health offers the most comprehensive services under one roof, with top rated practitioners and top of the line state of the art technology and services.
 For more information about Integra Health Centre, please visit www.integrahealthcentre.com
About Dr. Sapna
 
Dr.Sapna, DC, R.Ac, Dip. Med. Ac, CSCS, ART®, FMS/SFMA, MBA is a Toronto born sports and rehabilitation expert. Graduating from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Science in 2003 and a degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2007 (where she graduated cum laude), Dr.Sapna also holds a Masters of Business Administration specializing in health industry management from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto. 
 
Dr. Sapna also holds a certificate in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture (Dip. Med.Ap) from McMaster University, a certified Active Release Techniques Provider, ART®, a Strength & Conditioning Specialist from  the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is also a certified personal trainer.  Dr. Sapna also holds dual licenses from both the College of Chiropractors of Ontario and The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.  For more information, please visit www.DrSapna.com
 
 Facebook: Dr Sapna
Twitter: @DrSapnaSriram

sleep

“Sleep Secrets is the book you should read for good, practical information on how to get a good night’s sleep.  Insomnia, sleep deprivation, snoring and sleep apnea — this comprehensive resource has it all.”

 

Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, author and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona

 

 

Get a Good Night’s Sleep – Reset Your Biological Clock 

 

Some people are blessed with the ability to sleep anywhere at any time. Others find falling asleep a challenge that worsens with the passing of years. Left unattended, insomnia can become chronic, disabling and eventually even a medical condition.

 

Ronald M. Bazar, author of the new book Sleep Secrets: How to Fall Asleep Fast,

Beat Fatigue and Insomnia, and Get a Great Night’s Sleep, says that lack of sleep not only affects your ability to work effectively but can have serious effects on your relationships and your enjoyment of life. Lack of sleep also can wreak havoc with your hormones, your immune system and your body's ability to fight off disease.

 

“You need six and half to eight hours of good relaxed sleep per night in order to maintain and regenerate your bodies’ natural systems,” he said. “You don’t need to resort to taking drugs and narcotics every night either. There are other natural and alternative ways that work even better."

 

Bazar’s comprehensive and easy-to-read book includes, yet goes beyond, the sleep tips you've heard about and gets into both science-based research and complementary medicine tips for help resolving insomnia and other problems caused by sleep deprivation.

 

“One of the most important things to do is to reboot your body naturally and then control every factor that prevents you from falling and staying asleep.  Here are some of his top recommendations about how to reset your bodies’ biological clock and create solid reliable sleep habits:

 

  1. Detach from your electronic devices well before bed. They are insomnia creators.

 

  1. Stretch before bed time. Get on the floor and do some stretching exercises half an hour before bed time. Do some yoga poses to relax your back and neck, and stretch your legs and especially your calves to help reduce cramping.

 

  1. If you are hungry before bed, have a light snack like fruit but don’t have heavy foods or a full meal or a very late dinner.

 

  1. Set your sleep time intentionally. Tell yourself that 10 PM is bed time and 6 AM is wake up time. Mentally establish and commit yourself to sleep on a regular schedule. Stick to it. Go to sleep the same time every night and get up the same time every morning. Make it a habit.

 

  1. Listen to soothing music or read for fifteen minutes or more before you turn off the lights. Just make sure you choose something that won’t stimulate your thinking, make you tense up or worry right when you want to go to sleep.

 

  1. Don't have any electronic devices in the room where you sleep. Turn off all lights, TV and radios, cell phones, laptops, computers, and all those power supplies that have a glowing LED or light. Move them into another room and away from your bedroom so they can’t make sounds that wake you up and interrupt your sleep. Use foam ear plugs to reduce noise levels that can prevent you from sleeping.

 

  1. Go dark, totally dark. Cover the windows with blackout shades to prevent light from entering the room where you sleep. Wear an eye mask for total blackness. You may even need to replace your alarm clock with something that doesn’t have glowing numbers or is backlit.

 

  1. Get up early! Set the alarm and get up just when it is getting light, before the sun rises. Better yet, learn how to awaken without an alarm. Don’t touch that snooze button.

 

  1. Get outside and spend 20 minutes or more in the bright early morning sun and fresh air. Take a walk, walk the dog, go for a bike ride, or do some work in the garden.

 

  1. Eliminate stimulants such as coffee, tea, soda or anything with caffeine, and sweet drinks with sugar. If you drink coffee, only have it in the morning and never have it after lunch or within four to six hours of bed time. Don’t drink energy drinks or caffeine drinks in the afternoon or evening.

 

  1. Take a short nap during the day only if you are sleepy. But if you have problems falling asleep at night, then do not nap until you re-establish a new rhythm. It’s OK to take a 20 minute nap if you get tired, but don’t go over 30 minutes and take the nap at least six hours before your normal bed time so that you are not over-rested to the point where it interferes with your normal sleep time.

 

  1. Get a comfortable bed and coverings. Turn the temperature down at night so it’s cool in the air and warm in the bed. Go hypoallergenic or organic.

 

Here are some other actions you can learn to get to sleep fast:

  • Mind techniques to quiet the mind and help you relax
  • Simple breathing techniques that will help you sleep easier and deeper
  • Eat the foods that will help you sleep, and avoid the foods that don't
  • How to fall back asleep quickly if you wake up in the middle of the night
  • The best pillow to use for sleeping
  • Inclining your bed can help you sleep
  • Walking outside barefoot can actually help you sleep better at night
  • Supplements and remedies to target your sleep needs -- or eliminate fears
  • Solutions to snoring and sleep apnea
  • Jet lag prevention tips
  • Cannabis for sleep? How to find the right strain
  • Special sleep advice for babies, teens, and elders

 

“Be consistent,” Ron says. “You can train your body and achieve the cyclic rhythms you need to go to sleep when you want to and get a good night’s rest. "