#Sleep quality and duration

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[fanciedfacts]

How hours of sleep do you really need?

[biibini]

Could you possibly write something for modern mizu with a gf that bakes alot during the odd hours at night due to insomnia to past the time :^ due to this, mizu gets gifted a bunch of sweets and pastries

modern!mizu x baker!reader (request)

a/n: this is such a cute idea omg,,, personally im more of a cook over baker (my roomie bakes more than me) but i do like a good pastry. time to add my fav gif of mizu … isn’t she just so dreamy 😻

the first few times u stayed over, u were able to sleep in peace with mizu

surprisingly, ur insomnia didn’t keep u fully awake while ur gf was sleeping

feeling her warm arms wrap around ur body made u feel more secure as u started to slumber

u weren’t fully knocking out every night but it became easier to fall asleep and stay asleep for a good duration of the night

it felt so satisfying to finally sleep through most nights

as midterms became closer & closer, the quality of ur sleep began to decrease dramatically

most nights spent with mizu ended up into some

and then some nights became few

at first, u attempted to hide ur insomnia with using homework and projects as an excuse

initally, they weren’t excuses but u had played the card so much that it started to become one

It was a week and a half before midterms week, aka hell on earth. You and Mizu had just finished dinner, now relaxing on her bed. While she was busy on her phone, you were preparing to find the best way to fall asleep successfully. Staring into your laptop in front of you, you felt her get up from the bed.

She walked over to the bathroom and getting ready to go slumber. You on the other hand, are still mentally stuck on how well you will sleep tonight.

Having insomnia meant having many off days and nights. During high-school, it was more difficult to manage your sleep schedule due to the amount of extra-curricular activities and schoolwork you had to balance while growing up. You’ve found a few ways and simple tricks to fight against it.

One way that helped you calm down during high school was baking. A messy task, yes, but the end result was worth it. It had been a few years since it’s gotten this bad. Junior year was a while ago, and the thought of college during that time sent your stress levels through the roof.

Maybe bringing back baking wouldn’t be so bad…

“Hey baby?”

You snapped out of your empty stare and look up at Mizu.

“Yes?”

“Are you going to wash up soon? It’s past midnight and you have a 9 AM tomorrow.” she reminded. Mizu knew how grumpy you could be the next day if you stayed up too long.

“Yeah, um” you glance at your computer only to find a title slide on a history presentation, “I’ll sleep soon, I just want to finish my part of this project.”

Mizu nodded as she turned off every light except for the night next to you. You look up to her, a small smile growing on your face.

“M’kay,” she placed a hand on your cheek and planted a soft kiss on your forehead, “Just not too late.”

She moved to your lips, giving them a good night kiss.

“I’ll try.” You say as you reach for her face to share another good night kiss. You lower the brightness of your laptop as Mizu tucks herself in next to you.

An hour later, you end up finish your part of the presentation. You check your phone to let your group know about your completion. Putting it down, you read the time. 1:30 AM.

Fuck, you should really get some sleep for tomorrow’s lecture.

You slowly get out of bed, checking to make sure Mizu hasn’t waken up from your movement. All you hear is a turn to the other side away from you.

Whew.

You plug in your laptop quickly on the desk, making sure that all the lights in the apartment were closed. You gently tugged at the sheets, tucking yourself in as quietly as you could. As you started to close your eyes, you took a deep breath.

In. Out.

In. Out.

In. Out.

A grumble could be heard from Mizu, turning back towards you. You feel her hands try to find you, slowly grabbing what she could find. As she pulled you closer, you continued to relax your body.

Eyes closed, mind empty.

Yet, your mind does reach a thought. An anxious thought.

What if I wake up tired, like before?

You try to shake away the thought, enveloping yourself with Mizu’s presence. Forcing your eyes shut, you continue to take slow & deep breaths.

2:30 rolls in and you’re still stuck trying to fall asleep. Technically, you should be in dreamland right now instead of being awake. Your eyes are heavy but they not too heavy to completely close. Your body is still yet your mind keeps racing.

You trusted your old tricks would help you fall asleep. Hoping that they would work, your mind finally begins to clear up and rest.

as the days went by, it got progressively worse and worse

it went to the point where u were just always up, maybe spare an hour or two for a nap, and then the nightly attempt to fall asleep next to mizu

ur aware of what was happening yet ur mind wouldn’t stop running at full speed

u wish ur mind would just shut off

and if it wasn’t ur mind staying awake for once, it was ur body keeping u awake

it was so tiring to think ab peace night after night after night, hoping for a good nights sleep but to end up feeling drained and half awake once the sun rose

on nights where ur mind or body wouldn’t shut down, u ended up succumbing to ur old habits and took out the baking pan & sheets

u thought u could stay quiet like a few years before

on the other hand, mizu began to notice the slight changes in the house

whenever she would wake up for morning workouts, ur laptop would open and on ur lap

or the baking pan and whisks and mixing bowls would be dripping wet on the drying rack

once she found a new loaf of bread in the pantry, something was up

she figured u were just up cleaning late at night as a break from the late night homework grind

but with the random loaf, it didn’t quite fit the story she had in mind

one early morning, she heard a metal noise mid toilet and tiktok session in

(a/n: i’m guilty of doing that too sorry)

concerned, she went go check in the bedroom to find an empty bed

“Y/N?” she quietly called into the hallway.

God damnit.

You had accidentally banged the baking pan on the oven’s metal rack. You quickly slid the pan into the oven, hoping the croissants u had just prepped wouldn’t be seen. You peeked over your shoulder to see Mizu’s eyes half awake, trying to comprehend what she was seeing.

You quickly checked the time on the clock. No way it was already time for her workout.

5:30 AM.

“Morning, Mizu.” A weak smile spread on your face. You felt blood rushing to your cheeks, stemming from the embarrassment of getting caught in the act.

“I just went to the bathroom and heard a noise. What’s going on, Y/N?”

She looked down into the oven, spotting the croissants.

“Did you want a sweet treat that badly?” her voice questioning you and slightly concerned. She walked towards you and gently pressed your hand.

“No, it’s just that…”

“That?”

You took a deep breath as you glanced down at her hand grasping onto yours. You look up to her eyes, ready to tell the truth. Her blue eyes seemed more awake and ready to listen, almost glowing in the dark.

“I have insomnia.” You let the truth spill out. “It hasn’t been this bad since high school but coping with it has been a bit difficult these days. I’ve tried so many ways to shut my mind off but nothing’s working.”

“Aw, baby…”

“And the best way I managed it back when it was worse was baking. It helped me keep my mind off things and pass the time.” You took a step back to find your phone and put on a timer for 12 minutes.

“So here I am. Back to old habits.” You ended, sighing in relief. You weren’t sure of what Mizu’s reaction would be. A little part of you was frightened, anxiously waiting for her response.

You didn’t expect her next actions. She let go of your hand and headed toward the sink, calmly washing the bowls and other dishes that have collected over the night.

Stunned, you watched as she continued to wash up. You looked over to see her reaction only to find a calm face.

“Mizu?” you asked, still confused about her response.

She looked up, her hands still cleaning the mixing bowls you had used.

“Did you need help with anything else before I go to the gym? I know insomnia must be hard to cope with but if this is what helps you pass the time,” Mizu finishing the final bowl, placing it gently on the dishwasher rack. “I’d like to help out in any way I can.”

“No, I’m okay but thank you for cleaning up for me.” Coming up to her, you give her a kiss on the cheek. She smiles at you and nods.

“Anytime, hon.”

She takes a glance at the clock. 5:40 AM.

“I’m gonna get ready now. Let me know if you need anything or any ingredients.” She hurries into the bedroom, getting ready to change into gym clothes.

“Okayyy.” You say, checking your phone for the timer.

A thought comes to mind.

“Actually, there is one thing you can do.” You say, following her into the bedroom. Mizu, mid-tying her hair, paused and gave you her full attention. “You can be my little taste tester.”

She chuckled as she fixed her hair into a bun.

“I get first dibs? For lil ol’ me?”, she says playfully as she grabs one of her light zip-up jackets from the closet, completing her workout outfit.

You nod happily. “Mhm. You can even request a recipe or two.”

How enticing, Mizu thought.

if u were up during her workout days, she would always find a fresh batch of pastries sitting on the dining table

on days that her or ringo had classes, u would leave a little bag or container of pastries that they go bring to school

u would always leave a little love note with a little heart and a “To my Mizu”

mizu loved the little gifts, especially if they were at her request

one night, she asked for a peach cobbler pie

woke up the next morning to find a slice in a container and a sticky note atop reading “a request for my love ♥︎”

she placed the sticky note by her desk

and brought the slice to school with her

after her class she shared with akemi, they decided to get some late morning tea by the coffee shop nearby

mizu’s eyes widen after the first bite settled in

it was bomb

peaches were practically bursting in her mouth

she continued to eat, trying to contain the deliciousness of the pie

she would text u later ab how good it was

in full detail

many paragraphs

many positive critiques

and end with a thank you for ur baking ♥︎

[eldritch-spouse]

What would happen (be it stretch of the imagination/magic/Breg finally putting both his dicks in during rut) if during Bregg's Rut that he can finally smell conception on you?

[It happened because we said so.]

His demeanor would change drastically.

In some bizarre turn of events, upon the scent of a proper conception, Breg would immediately get flooded with a myriad of new hormones sending wildly different signals to his rut-stricken brain.

He succeeded. His mate is impregnated! He did it right!!

The most noticeable change is the drop in his libido. The breeder no longer has a fifth of his usual sexual desire, there's little point continuing to torture his own metabolism when the goal has already been achieved. It calms down, in simple terminology. He no longer is in constant lustful stupors, doesn't have to hydrate as often and eats less- Partially because he's overfeeding you now.

The nest will receive more layers to improve its comfort and quality now that you are with child. Given Breg practically stripped your house of fabrics when it all started, he may have to get more from external sources, and that is motive for concern. Because while he's not as huperagressive as he'd be normally- He's still very much determined and ready to rend anyone who fights him for personal belongings into ribbons.

Most of Breg's energy is now spent in grooming you, keeping you warm and entertained, as well as always always in the nest. He's adamant on not letting you sleep on your back and constantly tries to keep key points of your anatomy "pillowed".

Be ready to have him constantly dip and smell you. While most of his attention is focused on your abdomen and genitals, Breg may just sniff around your neck and other spots that allow him clearer pictures of your mood and general hormonal state. As mentioned prior, he will occasionally make attempts to insert one or two fingers into your vagina cavity, and while you'd be likely to assume he's horny, the monster is gouging the development of your pregnancy (a little too often and too early, but instincts demand it), which is something breeders specifically can do with an unexplained level of accuracy.

Since he succeeded, the rest of his heat is a lot more mellow and his body is entering the recovery process a lot sooner. This means that Breg will come out of this rut not as exhausted and frail as usual, it's very relieving to him.

For the duration of your miracle pregnancy, Breg will not endure any more ruts, but it's possible he'll have similar short spikes of arousal. Generally speaking however, you're free of those torturous episodes.

[thomotomo]

Callum turner x reader, something about going to a festival (like glastonbury) WOULD BE SO NICE IVE LOOKED FOREVER TO find SOMETHING ABOUT HIM

maybe a late night drive ANYTHING U WANT REALLY

Hello mate! I hope you enjoy this, I was inspired then halfway it stopped but I still hope you find this enjoyable <3 And thank you for requesting it! ^-^ Don't hesitate to reblog, leave a comment and/or a Kofi if you did and take care!

Callum had really looked forward to this. After spending months abroad, filming new projects, unable to spend some quality time with you. He had told his agents he was taking some time off and not to contact him. It had been a few years since he also had been able to attend the Glastonbury festival and he was ecstatic to attend it once again.

He had reserved the tickets with the knowledge that nothing would stop him to have a wonderful time with you at his sides. The excitement stopped him from sleeping more than he usually would when he had some free time, so he laid there, looking at your muscled back that was facing him, counting the moles and watching it rise and fall. As you were still deeply asleep, he wrapped an arm around your waist and nuzzled your neck, breathing in your natural scent.

After laying here for who knows how long, he felt you stirring up and he chuckled, tickling you and making you chuckle too.

“Good morning love…”

“Mmh…How long have you been up Cal…?”, your morning voice was rough and it stirred up something in his belly.

“Don’t bother yourself with such trivial matters. It’s time for us to have fun~”

“Mmh… Bring me hot-choc and we’ll discuss about it.”

He chuckled as you buried your head in the pillows, hiding yourself from the outside world. Callum decided to leave the bed so he could bring you your hot chocolate and correctly wake up. He walked, chuckling as he heard you groan, surely you were gathering the duvet and burrowing yourself inside of it, trying to keep yourself warm and probably wishing to be able to hibernate.

Callum heated the milk, preparing his coffee at the same time. Once each mug was filled with each of your morning drinks he walked back up to the bedroom, chuckling softly as he saw that on the bed there was only a duvet mass. He put the mugs on the night table and gently put a hand on where he supposed your body was and gently shook.

“Hey… I brought you your hot chocolate. Come on Y/N, get out of here.”

You groaned and popped your head out of the covers and your eyes shined as they zeroed on your favourite mug. Callum chuckled and you pretty quickly left the comfort of your warm blanket to seat next to him and started drinking your hot chocolate. The morning was spent very slowly, despite Callum being definitely more energized that you were he took things to your pace.

Once you were properly woken up you put on your clothes and finished packaging your bag for the whole duration of the festival. As soon as you finished preparing Callum excitedly dragged you to the car, you didn’t really trust him to drive in his overexcited state so you went behind the wheel and started to drive as he immediately started the radio.

After a three hour drive you finally reached the place of the festival and immediately Callum jumped out, took the backpack and looked back at you, looking ecstatic and you couldn’t help but look at him fondly as you put on your glasses,  the sun being uncharacteristically present in this part of England. Your boyfriend laced your hands together, looking for the VIP line, checking in and going to your tent to put your stuff down. The two of you laid down on the bed and Callum went over the program of the week-end, noting down every single thing he wanted to do. And well, you, you were just happy to be able spend some time together so you laid there as he rambled, counting the freckles on his face. Your boyfriend looked back at you with a grin, he proudly showed you the list he had narrowed down.

The next day, early and bright in the morning, Callum woke you up, seemingly already ready to spend the whole day dancing. You couldn’t help but chuckle at his excitement, for the past year he had been waiting for this festival and you were glad you could enjoy this with him. You put on your clothes and followed him to go out and eat breakfast. Callum rambled about tonight’s stages and you were excited to dance the night away with him.

The two of you spend majority of the day walking around, taking notes of how far each stage were from each other and just enjoying the English sun hitting your skin and warming yourself in a nice way. Before the first concert you were going to attend, Adam Shelton’s, the two of you ate a copious meal and drank some cocktails before completely letting go and going forward to enjoy your night.

Sadly for the both of you, the weekend went by at super-speed and before you knew it, it was Monday and you had to go back home, but luckily you still had plenty of time to enjoy together. When putting your bag in the car Callum sighed, he had thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and he had spent it dancing so he was rather sore after all this exercise.

As you were driving back, he quickly fell asleep and you couldn’t help but stop at a station to take a picture or two of him sleeping, mouth hanging wide open. You bought some snacks for the rest of the road and once you arrived in front of the house you gently shook him awake. You watched him groaning and trying to fold on himself to go back to sleep, not unlike you a few days ago.

“C’mon sleepyhead, let’s take a bath and you can nap once again. You’ll be more at ease in bed.”

He begrudgingly followed you and you immediately started a bath, going in first, so he could seat between you legs to chill during the cleaning. You smiled gently kissing his slightly tanned back, trying to count the freckles that weren’t previously here. Slowly you helped him cleaning out his bad and after half an hour of chilling the bathtub with his head laid back on your shoulder.

You helped him get into bed and laid down with him, legs tangling together as you wrapped an arm around his waist. He sleepily gave you a quick peck and whispered to you in his scratchy half-asleep voice.

“Thank you for coming with me. It was really fun…”

“Don’t worry Cal I also enjoyed it.”

The two of you laid here, looking at each other, being disgustingly in love and quickly fell asleep, wrapped in each other’s warmth.

[ghoulie-67-baby]

Overtired- Criminal Minds.

Summary: Penelope is working a case in the early hours and you can’t sleep without your girlfriend by your side.

Prompts: ‘C’mere, you can sit in my lap until I’m done working.’

Warnings: fluff, Penelope being a top tier Girlfriend, Domsub (depending on your mindset), medication mentions, little angsty.

Pairing: Penelope Garcia x GN!reader.

Word count: 859.

A yawn ripped from my throat as I tossed and turned in bed. I shivered, missing Penelope's warmth in our bed, and if fed out a heavy sigh. She had been dragged out of bed because of a case and though I knew it was incredibly important, it still irritated me.

Warm light spread from the living room alongside hushed voices. I knew I wouldn't sleep until they all left so I swung my legs from the covers and slipped on my slippers. JJ had bought them for my birthday, they had cupcakes on them because that was my nickname for Henry. Yanking my gown off a hanger, I wandered towards the light. For moments, nobody noticed me standing there in my pyjamas, dressing gown hanging loosely over my shoulders.

"Hey babydoll," Derek greeted me as he spotted me, smiling softly, using the nickname that matched Penelope's. "We didn't wake you did we?" I shook my head, stepping into a hug as he held out his arms to me.

"It's okay, haven't been sleeping great anyway." I buried my head in his shoulder as I stifled a yawn.

"It's nice to see you Y/N," Pulling out f the hug, I grinned at my girlfriend's boss. "Sorry about the timing."

"You too Hotch, pretty bad case, huh?" I wandered towards the kitchen to grab some water, seeing a brief, serious nod. I could feel the irritation and lack of sleep beginning to make me antsy as I watched the team working. My eyes rested on Penelope who was sucked into her screen, working as quickly as she could despite the bags under her eyes.

"Not to sound rude but how long is this going to take?" My eyes flickered to the clock that read two thirty in the morning. Emily snickered at the question as I yawned again. I wasn't bothered about my own sleep at the moment but Penelope needed rest too and she hadn't been sleeping great either.

"Impossible to say," Rossi gave me a sympathetic smile from his seat in the armchair. My shoulders deflated at the statement, my over-tiredness starting to take over. I always got emotional when I was tired.

"You okay, Peach?" My girl looked at me with concerned eyes, patting the arm of the sofa in invitation. I shuffled over, sinking onto the arm and staring at the non-sensical codes on the screen.

"M'just tired Penny," I shrugged it off. "I'll be fine."

"Have you tried any herbal remedies? Valerian root is supposed to be good for sleep troubles alongside menopause and anxiety." My lip twitched in amusement as Spencer spoke. "A study has shown that taking five hundred and thirty milligrams of Valerian every night for thirty days has had a significant improvement in sleep quality, latency and duration compared to a placebo in people who had undergone heart surgery."

"It doesn't work, and if you're insinuating I'm going through menopause then I suggest you hold your tongue, Doctor." I teased, smiling slightly as he ducked his head in embarrassment.

"Have you had your meds, Peach?" Penelope murmured whilst she worked. "They'll help you sleep."

"No, I haven't and I won't." My voice was colder than I had intended but Melatonin never reacted well with me. "I'd rather not sleep at all than put up with nightmares thank you." Her hand lifted to rest on my thigh, squeezing it comfortingly.

"Babydoll, we've spoken about this." Derek's voice was laced with concern but firm. I didn't hold back my glare as the burning in my throat started up again from holding back tears.

"I don't care." I sounded pathetic like a child being scolded by a parent.

"Y/N that's enough," The hand on my thigh tightened in a warning and I tangled my fingers in my lap as I held back tears.

"You want me to come and sit with you whilst Penelope works, Honey?" JJ's offer was sweet but I didn't want to leave Penny's side. Shaking my head, I sunk into myself a little, looking down at my girlfriend with blurred eyes.

Placing her laptop on the table, she shifted her stuff around before looking back up at me. Hotch shuffled where he stood like he was expecting her to kick them out.

"C'mere Peach," she motioned for me to get off the arm of the sofa. "You can sit in my lap until I'm done working." I sluggishly climbed onto her lap, legs straddling hers as I leaned against her chest. I'd forgotten all about the team watching us as I buried my head into her neck and relaxed into the embrace and warmth. I didn't care that they'd witnessed the whole thing, didn't care about any opinion they formed or their reaction. I didn't care because I was warm and comfortable, the sound of keys tapping and muttering fading into the background as I found myself lulled into a state of half-sleep by her gentle breathing and occasional kiss to the top of my head.

The mix of all those stimulants had me drifting for a while before my body finally succumbed to sleep, giving up fighting the exhaustion.

[valiantcoffeelove]

⊹₊ Needs chart ₊⊹

I tracked my mood, habits, what makes for a bad or a good day and I narrowed it down to these 6 needs being met:

Nutrition ♨ - min. - meet your kcal requirement, drink 1.5l of water (can be in form of tea, coffee whatever) + max. - eat healthy, tasty nutritious food, drink 3l of water (electrolytes, pure water, other)

Social ✉ - min. - interact with your communities & mutuals online / text, or call someone you care about + max. - meet and spend quality time with somebody / go out and exist in public space; participate in a social activity (club, team sport, public lecture

Hygiene ✦ - min. - brush your teeth, wash your face, lip balm, get out of bed as soon as you wake up, + max. - shower, moisturize, change into day clothes (bonus points if they make you feel good in your body)

Fitness 彡 - min. - stretch for duration of a song, dance to a song, go on a walk with a goal (small treat, taking pics, library errand) + max. - go running / to the gym / do guided workout at home

Rest ᶻ 𝗓 - min. - take 10-20m (not longer to avoid waking up during 'deep sleep' cycle), take breaks that don't engage mind (if task was taxing on the brain) or body (if task was taxing on the body) + max. - 8-9 hours of sleep, no caffeine & screens for 30m after waking up and before going to sleep

Progress ➷ - min. - accomplish 3 small things that push you forward (find something to keep a streak of) + max. - make a plan of things to do / study / work on and execute it

As someone with inattentive adhd who often struggles to keep themselves alive and happy, the goal is not to do everything perfectly, the minimum is more than enough! I encourage you to make your own "recipe" for a good day, reflective of your own needs and struggles. This is just what works for me! -Siloh

[nourishandthrive]

Natural Remedies for Common Ailments

Turning to natural remedies for common ailments can provide relief without relying heavily on medications. Here are some effective and easily accessible natural remedies for everyday health issues.

1. Headaches

Peppermint Oil: Apply a few drops of diluted peppermint oil to your temples and massage gently. The menthol in peppermint can help relax muscles and alleviate headache pain.

Ginger Tea: Brew fresh ginger slices in hot water and drink. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce headache severity.

2. Cold and Flu

Honey and Lemon: Mix a tablespoon of honey with the juice of half a lemon in warm water. This soothing drink can help relieve sore throat and boost your immune system.

Elderberry Syrup: Take elderberry syrup to reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. Elderberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that support immune health.

3. Digestive Issues

Peppermint Tea: Drink peppermint tea to relieve symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and gas. Peppermint helps relax the digestive tract muscles.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink before meals to aid digestion and reduce heartburn.

4. Insomnia

Chamomile Tea: Drink a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime. Chamomile has mild sedative properties that can help promote sleep.

Lavender Essential Oil: Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your pillow or diffuse it in your bedroom to create a calming atmosphere conducive to sleep.

5. Skin Irritations

Aloe Vera Gel: Apply fresh aloe vera gel to soothe and heal minor burns, sunburns, and skin irritations. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and cooling properties.

Oatmeal Bath: Add colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath to relieve itching and irritation from conditions like eczema or rashes.

6. Muscle Pain

Epsom Salt Bath: Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts. The magnesium in Epsom salts can help relax muscles and reduce pain.

Arnica Gel: Apply arnica gel topically to sore muscles. Arnica has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce muscle soreness and bruising.

7. Nausea

Ginger: Chew on a small piece of fresh ginger or drink ginger tea. Ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties.

Peppermint: Inhale peppermint oil or sip peppermint tea to help alleviate nausea symptoms.

8. Allergies

Local Honey: Consume a teaspoon of local honey daily to help build immunity against local pollen and reduce allergy symptoms over time.

Neti Pot: Use a neti pot with a saline solution to rinse nasal passages and reduce congestion caused by allergies.

9. Cough

Thyme Tea: Brew thyme leaves in hot water and drink. Thyme has antimicrobial and expectorant properties that can help soothe a cough.

Marshmallow Root: Drink marshmallow root tea to coat the throat and relieve irritation from coughing.

10. Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha: Take ashwagandha supplements to help reduce stress and anxiety. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that supports the body's stress response.

Passionflower: Drink passionflower tea or take supplements to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety levels.

Tips for Using Natural Remedies

1. Consult a Professional: Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new remedy, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

2. Quality Matters: Use high-quality, organic products to ensure the best results and avoid harmful additives.

3. Monitor Reactions: Pay attention to how your body responds to natural remedies and discontinue use if you experience any adverse reactions.

4. Combine with Healthy Lifestyle: Enhance the effectiveness of natural remedies by maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.

By incorporating these natural remedies into your routine, you can address common ailments effectively and support your overall health and well-being.

Share your favorite natural remedies in the comments below! Let’s exchange tips and support each other in our journey towards a healthier, more natural lifestyle.

[showmey0urfangs]

A reframing of 𝕃𝕠𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕕

I know, I know — Loustat is endgame, Lestat is Louis's OTP etc. BUT hear me out; I hate that Loumand shippers often get laughed at and ridiculed for even considering it when imo it is a great ship and Louis wasn't lying when he said Armand is the love of his life. Here's why;

If we take the book canon out of the equation for a second and solely look at the timeline of the show, Loustat started dating in the fall of 1910, got married in May 1911 and Lestat died in February of 1940. Their entire relationship lasted about 30 years on and off.

If we contrast this with 𝕃𝕠𝕦𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕕, we can assume Louis meets Armand in 1945, and they are still together in present-day 2022. That's 77 years and counting.

Now, I know the duration of a relationship should not be the only consideration here, but also the quality of said relationship. So again if we contrast the two — Loustat was 30 years of misery, cheating, and emotional and physical abuse that was intercut with brief periods of happiness and ended with Louis slitting Lestat's throat to save himself and his daughter from the tyranny that they were living under.

Loumand on the other hand seems to be a more peaceful, albeit boring, relationship. Armand takes care of Louis and is very protective of him.

Yes, there is a possessive edge to it, but from what we have seen so far, it is nowhere near as unhinged as it was with Lestat. It also seems to be consensual, like Louis willingly cedes over control to Armand and defers to him to make decisions.

They have better communication, are more respectful to each other, and even consult each other before sleeping with other people as evidenced by the 70s flashback with Daniel Molloy. That's a complete departure from Lestat's decades-long cheating and lying.

Loumand may arguably lack the heated passion that Loustat had, but Armand seems to be a genuinely loving and devoted partner (again, I am solely going off of what we see on the show and not taking into account later book canon).

It's also important to note that in 2022, Louis is probably operating under the belief that Lestat is either dead or gone forever depending on whose narrative you believe, TVL or IWTV. They are not just on a 6-year break like they were after the fight — as far as Louis knows, they are done, over, finito!

From present-day Louis's perspective, Lestat is the toxic ex he had more than 70 years ago, and who he still has mixed feelings about. Armand is his current partner, he is the person who loved him enough to stay through thick and thin, and who “cares for Louis more than he cares for himself ”

So yes, Armand is the love of his life! until Lestat shows up again.

[shopcourtsgrenada]

5 Benefits of Regular Exercise and Fitness

Exercise machines and home gym equipment

Regular exercise and fitness offer several benefits that contribute to our overall well-being and longevity. Here are five key advantages:

Improved Physical Health - Engaging in regular exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system, enhancing heart health and reducing the risk of conditions like heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. It also helps maintain a healthy weight by burning calories and building muscle mass, reducing the likelihood of obesity and related health issues such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Enhanced Mental Health - Exercise isn't just beneficial for the body; it's also crucial for mental health. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins that promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress and anxiety levels. Regular exercise has been linked to lower rates of depression and can improve overall mood and self-esteem.

Increased Energy Levels - Exercising regularly boosts energy levels and improves circulation and oxygen flow to tissues, leading to increased stamina and reduced fatigue. Even short bouts of exercise can provide an immediate energy boost, making it easier to tackle daily tasks and activities.

Better Sleep Quality - Those who exercise regularly often experience improved sleep quality and duration. Physical activity helps promote deeper and more restorative sleep. Additionally, exercise can help reduce the symptoms of sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, leading to a more refreshed and rejuvenated feeling upon waking.

Longevity and Quality of Life - Consistent exercise is associated with a longer lifespan and a higher quality of life in later years. It helps maintain mobility, flexibility, and balance, reducing the risk of falls and injuries as individuals age. By promoting overall health and well-being, regular exercise allows people to enjoy an active and fulfilling life well into old age.

Regular exercise is the cornerstone of physical health and mental well-being. It enhances endurance, strength, and flexibility while reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, and also enhances mood, cognition, and sleep quality.

[karmic-vibes]

If I Can Dream

14 - Oh Why Won’t That Sun Appear

art credit: @lazylittledragon on tumblr/lazyjunebug on twitter

cw: implied parental [emotional] neglect

Year: 1989

“Come on, Bobby, you can do it, sweetie!” Steve encouraged.

The family was at their local park picnicking on a patch on grass. Eddie knelt on the blanket, arms wide open, egging his daughter on. The pair had been trying to get the young girl to walk for the past month. She had been able to pull herself up on her own since she was six months old, and she was able to walk with assistance, but she had yet to do it by herself.

Steve was only a few feet away with Bobby between his legs so she wouldn’t fall backwards. He held onto her hands and leaned her forward, trying to get her feet moving. Bobby, however, thought it was a silly game, giggling every time she was leaned in a direction. Steve fed into her little game and began swinging her from her arms.

The little girl’s laugh was infectious. Her tiny button nose scrunched with each giggle, eyes squeezed shut, and tiny bits of drool pooled at the corners of her mouth. Soon, Steve threw her up into his arms where he was spinning her around. Bobby’s laugh and playful screams filled the air as she spent quality time with her dad.

Eddie watched the two of them fondly from the blanket, pouring himself a fresh glass of sparkling cider. As he started to take a sip, he saw Steve start to throw Bobby higher and higher into the air. Eddie choked on his drink before he was able to holler a warning.

“Stevie!” he coughed. “Please be careful! I worked very hard for her, I don’t need you breaking her.”

“I got her, Eds, don’t worry.”

“Okay, if you say so…”

When Bobby finally got worn out, Steve passed her to Eddie, where she cuddled against his chest, smushing her cheeks into him. Eddie ran his fingers through her tight curls and held her close. She sat between his legs, cozying up before dozing off to sleep.

Eddie began humming Golden Slumbers to her as he rubbed tiny circles on her back. Steve passed Eddie a blanket so he could wrap the little girl up for her nap. While it was mildly uncomfortable, Eddie didn’t mind the position Bobby was in—as long as she was comfortable, he was happy.

“You sure you don’t want another one?” Steve asked.

“Positive,” Eddie chuckled. “So, do you have anymore ideas for Bee’s birthday?”

“It’s still two months away, Ed.”

“No, I know, but I think we should start sending out invites.”

“Why?”

“Have you met your children? They’re all so stupid—it’ll take them ages to figure out what to get Bee.”

“Hey, give them a little more credit. They made that t-shirt you love.”

“I know, I know, but once they start to develop little personalities, I feel like it’s harder to get things.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“So any ideas?”

“What about just Halloween themed? It is her actual birth-day, isn’t it?”

“I think a horror movie themed party is a bit much for Bobbs right now.”

“What? No, I mean the actual holiday, stupid.”

“Oh… well, still, too predictable. What about DnD?”

“What would that even look like, Ed? Like, how on earth would you throw a Dungeons and Dragons party for a one-year-old?”

“Okay, so picture it. We create her a character and have everyone invited come dressed as their character. After all, it is still Halloween.”

“What if they’re like me and don’t have one?”

“Then create one! It’s a party for a one-year-old. Who gives a shit if it’s actually accurate. I mean, ideally, it is your actual character, but an exception can be made for you, Stevie.”

“Oh, my hero.” Steve rolled his eyes. “So everyone comes as their character, we create one for Bee, then what?”

“Well, we’d create a one-shot campaign for the duration of the party that centers around Bobbs. Each quest is centered around our little birthday girl.”

“Huh… that’s actually not a bad idea at all.”

“Wait, you really like it?”

“Yeah… I do…”

The coming months were spent planning a campaign for the impending birthday girl. Eddie carefully monitored his daughter to see the traits she was coming to develop. He spent countless hours creating her character—eventually, he got it.

Bobby Judas Harrington was set to be a first level Neutral Good Human Paladin. While she was young, he knew in his heart of hearts that she was destined to be the best person she could possibly be. She was adaptable and takes adventure seriously—after all, she was half Harrington and half Munson, wasn’t she?

Finally, Bobby’s first birthday had arrived. Everyone came dressed as their DnD characters, and those who didn’t have one just chose a race to be. Steve wasn’t too creative, so (like his daughter) he was a human, Robin was an elf, and Eleven was an orc. For those who were already established in the game, they came dressed as their own characters. Eddie was a vampire, Will was a wizard, Lucas was a knight, and so on.

She may not have quite understood what was going on, but Bobby was having the time of her life. The fantasy world her fathers created around her was so endlessly magical, she simply couldn’t get enough of it. All her aunts and uncles helped make this a reality, and they would all do it a million times over.

The birthday girl ran throughout the house (surprising, as she only learned to walk a month ago) causing terror to each and every one of the cardboard demogorgons that were set up in the house. She had stolen several peoples “weapons” and was slaying any beast that crossed her path.

“At this rate, she’ll be able to beat you,” Dustin teased.

“That’s the goal,” Eddie smirked. “She’s a fucking menace, I swear.”

“I’d be more shocked if she wasn’t.”

“Yeah, well, she’s half Steve, so I can dream.”

“Have you met Steve?”

“Touché.”

“Bubba! Bubba!” Bobby giggled as she ran into Eddie’s legs. Eddie looked at the girl with wide eyes, blinking aimlessly. “Bubba!” She made grabby hands at him.

“Holy shit, you’re talking… oh, my god, holy shit!”

“Bubba!” she whined.

“Sorry, Bee, sorry. I’m right here.” He picked her up and held her on his hip. “Excuse me, Henderson, I need to find my wife.”

“He’s in the kitchen.”

“Thank you, kind sir. See you in Mordor.”

Eddie gently pat Dustin’s head as he carried Bobby into the kitchen where Steve was tidying up a bit before bringing out the cake. He ran up to his husband, clutching their toddler close, as he got right in Steve’s face.

“Can I help you?” Steve asked.

“I don’t know, Bee, can he help me?” Bobby stared at him blankly. Steve raised a brow as he continued washing some dishes.

“Ed? Are you losing it?”

“No, she was just talking, I swear!”

“What?” Steve gasped. “What did she say?”

“She said ‘bubba’! I’m assuming instead of ‘papa’, but I’ll take it!”

“Oh, my goodness! What a smart little girl!”

Steve snatched her from Eddie, placing a million tiny kisses on her cheeks. Her infectious laugh echoed throughout the room as she pushed against his face, being tickled by his stubble.

“Dada! Ahh!” She giggled and screamed as Steve hugged her closer. Tears prickled at Steve’s eyes as he heard his daughter shout ‘dada’, a sound he never thought would be so sweet.

“Daddy loves you so much,” Steve whispered, placing a final kiss into her curly locks.

He began sobbing, heart overflowing with joy. All he could think was how his parents (or even Eddie’s) were ever able to walk away from moments like these. Steve wanted to freeze time—he wanted to be in that moment for the rest of his life. With his husband smiling at their beautiful daughter, gently running his ringed hand over her head. His daughter, snuggling herself against his chest, firmly grasping at his shirt’s collar, laughing so loud that the entire world could hear.

In that moment, life was perfect.

But, time is funny that way. The moments you want to stick around forever seem to slip through your fingers the fastest. No matter what he did, he couldn’t stop time. Bobby was getting older by the second, and Steve just knew he had to relish in the little moments, because they’d be gone before he knew it.

And in the blink of an eye, the moment was gone.

Robin was calling the boys in from the living room, encouraging them to bring the cake out so everyone could sing happy birthday.

Steve screwed his eyes shut, wishing he could teleport back in time, but it was to no avail. He weakly smiled and hiked Bobby up on his hip, pinching her little cheeks. Bobby scrunched her face and raised her shoulders to her ears, giggling infectiously.

Eddie grabbed the little one’s birthday cake and balanced it in one hand as he lit the candle with the other. Robin dimmed all the lights in the living room as Bobby and her cake were carried in.

Everyone burst into the happy birthday song, mildly startling Bobby, but she quickly adapted and smiled ear to ear at her loving family. Everyone she loved most in the world was there, from her dads, to her pop-pop [Wayne], to her auntie Robin, to all her other loving aunts and uncles.

Eddie set the cake down on the coffee table as Steve sat Bobby down on the floor. The boys knelt down next to their baby girl, smiling proudly. Eddie wrapping his left arm around Steve and held onto Bobby with his right. Steve clung to his daughter as he leaned into his husband—everyone singing made everything so surreal.

“Happy birthday, Bobby… happy birthday to you!”

“Blow out the candle, Bee,” Eddie encouraged.

“Bubba bubba bubba,” she hummed over and over again.

“Blow, sweetie.” Eddie softly exhaled as he tried showing Bobby what to do. “Come on, papa and daddy will help. On three, Bee and Stevie. One, two, three.”

The family blew onto the singular candle as the pack of people cheered. Robin snapped a few photos and smiled fondly at everyone.

“Happy birthday, Bobbs,” Robin whispered. “We love you.”

“Alright, guys, there’s a sheet cake in the kitchen—help yourselves!” Steve announced. “This is all for you, pretty girl,” Steve said as he removed the candle from the personal cake. “Enjoy, sweet girl.”

He placed a kiss on top of her head before sighing and staring at his husband. Eddie was pushing Bobby’s hair behind her ear as he scooped her into his lap so she could reach the cake easier. Eddie eventually felt Steve staring at him and chuckled.

“What?” Eddie smiled.

“Nothing.” Steve shook his head and shrugged. “Just happy.”

“Just happy?”

“Really, really happy.”

———————————————————————

a/n: i spent SO LONG researching dnd characters/races and did a 140-question long quiz and everything to try and determine what kind of character bobby would be and her class and all that. please, for the love of god, don’t let this flop.

[fanciedfacts]

How Many Hours of Healthy Sleep Are Required for Your Rest and Energy?

Sleep is vital for our bodies to rest and energize us for the next day. Many might be concerned about the proper hours of sleep every night and the best practices for getting the most out of their nightly rest. watch our recent episode about sleep

[saphire-scribbles]

▫️Alcina doesn't sleep.

▫️Her Cadou makes it so that her body always has enough energy to function, but she is occasionally mentally exhausted by the end of the day.

▫️To relieve herself, she meditates. She physically cannot be unconscious (unless she suffers severe head trauma), and so she simply lies still, breathes deeply and rests her body and mind untill she feels ready to face the world again.

▫️Usually, she will lie in or on her bed for hours at a time. Sometimes she will sit in one of her large chairs and stare into the fireplace for hours on end. Sometimes with her eyes closed, but usually with her eyes open. Unblinking. It is certainly an eerie sight.

▫️The duration of her 'meditation' depends entirely on the Lady of The House. If thare are matters to attend to, she will position herself in front of a clock, and break herself out of her trance when necessary.

▫️If she has nothing important to do, or simply does not want to do anything, she will stay in that state for as long as she likes. She once stared into the abyss for three days and two nights straight, only coming back to reality when disturbed by her daughters.

▫️The daughters frequently joke about it, often saying "Mother's hibernating!" or "See you in spring, Mother!" when Alcina retreats to her room. They simply giggle when their mother playfully swats at them.

▫️sometimes the girls will join her. They don't meditate, but simply bask in each others company. Bela will bring her books, Cassandra might curl up for a nap and Daniela will snuggle with the closest person - weather that be one of her sisters, her Mother or a random maid.

▫️When you first began your relationship, Alcina did pretend to sleep. She didn't want to bombard you with her stranger qualities so early on in the relationship.

▫️So she would wait untill you got tired, before climbing into bed with you. She would even go so far as pretending to yawn, and stretching her "poor, tired body".

▫️The damn woman is a good actress. You believed her 'I-totally-sleep-and-don't-stare-into-the-abyss-all-night' shtik for a solid two months.

▫️You began to think she had some form of insomnia after waking up to her staring at you in the dead of night, on multiple occasions.

▫️Then you thought she had night terrors, with how she wouldn't always respond despite the fact that her eyes were wide open.

▫️You bring it up with her, and she laughs it off as a one time thing. Then you bring it up again, asking if she's ever sleepwalked. When you bring up taking her to a doctor she breaks and explains everything to you.

▫️"You really thought I'd be weirded out by the way you sleep? You literally eat human meat. You have daughters who are made of flies. Why would that be my number one concern!?"

▫️The wide, soulless stare she gives you each night took a lot of getting used to, but otherwise, you don't care. Not in the slightest.

▫️You've learned that gently tugging her hair or giving her nose a little boop will get her to 'wake up', so that's helpful.

▫️You've also taken to joining her and her daughters in their little gatherings. You find it adorable how they can bond over such a simple thing.

▫️if Alcina decides to drift off in bed, no matter the time, you instantly get in with her and snuggle into her side. If she's sitting, you're climbing into her lap before Daniela does, intent on nuzzling into her chest and making yourself comfortable.

▫️Even in her semi-unconscious state, she'll pull you close and hold you tightly, breathe in your scent and place a gentle kiss to your forehead.

[tchaikovskym]

are you tired most of the time? is it hard to wake up in the mornings? is it hard to fall asleep at night? do you crave sweets and fats? are you getting depressed and anxious? is life stressful?

well, let me tell you about my scientific obsession of a few years: cortisol, which i assume, could be in the center of it all

cortisol is just your casual stress hormone, hanging around

but it has a wonderful daily pattern

as you can see this guy goes from 1 to 400 during the night to peak at 8am (in this graph), but in reality peaks like 30 minutes after you wake up, depending on your sleeping pattern. it does not follow the clock everyone is supposed to follow, it follows YOU, it follows your internal clock.

so, let's put the first thing together - cortisol is a stress hormone, and the peak in the morning is supposed to wake you up. stress in this case is NOT a bad stress, but rather something to make your body flowing and being ready to face the day.

so, what happens when you do not sleep?

Source: Klumpers, U. M., Veltman, D. J., van Tol, M. J., Kloet, R. W., Boellaard, R., Lammertsma, A. A., & Hoogendijk, W. J. (2015). Neurophysiological effects of sleep deprivation in healthy adults, a pilot study. PloS one, 10(1), e0116906.

Image annotation from the source: Individual saliva cortisol curves (grey line) and cortisol mean value (nmol/L) per Tx sampling point (solid line). Day 1 shows baseline cortisol sampling at T1-T7, day 2 shows effects of one night of total sleep deprivation on cortisol levels at T8-T14. T1, 2 and 3 comprise the cortisol awakening response (CAR). T8, 9 and 10 are sampled at identical time points the following day. T5 and T12 are sampled at 14.00hr, T6 and T13 at 17.00hr and T7 and T14 at 23.00hr. p values show effects of TSD, # p = 0.016.

The pic above shows the same cortisol levels in day 1 (control) and day 2 (after not sleeping one night).

As you can see, there is no peak. It's just a flat line. This means, no sleep gives you no awakening response, and it also applies to less sleep. The less you sleep, the lesser the awakening the response, the more tired you may feel during the day.

And you might say "oh but it feels the same when i sleep 10 hours or 4 hours so what's the difference". That's because you've luckily got to wake up in a point where your sleep phase is the lighter. How do you feel thorough the whole day? And if it is still the same, regardless of sleeping hours, for how long have you been not sleeping enough? There is such a thing as sleep debt, and if you're in it, you won't feel any better until you get that debt off.

The no morning peak happens because cortisol is produced during REM sleep (rapid eye movement sleep or the phase known for dreaming, although you can dream in other phases too). REM sleep also has this thing, where the phase gets longer and longer the more you sleep. So if you sleep less, the REM phase total length is going to be less, so less cortisol for the morning peak. This is why bad sleep quality (like waking up every once and then and not being able to sleep for long uninterrupted periods of time) also can do the same thing. Sleep duration is one of the main players, but it's not the only one.

Anyway, back to the point. Less sleep, harder to wake up, logical, right, you didn't need a cortisol graph for that.

However, notice how in day 1 the 6 and 7 time points is pretty much a straight line, like cortisol just reached the minimal level at the 6th time point. If you look at day 2, at time points 13 and 14, the slope is bigger, right?

You might think that's ridiculous, there is such a tiny slope difference between last two points in day 1 and day 2, that it shouldn't matter

BUT IT DOES!

Cortisol production, like many other things in our body work by negative feedback mechanism. Which means, when there is a lot of it, the brains get the "guys there is a lot of cortisol we should stop". But with sleep deprivation, there is not a lot of cortisol, and the brains don't get that signal, therefore, in the evening, the levels are a bit higher than they should be.

And what does having a bit higher levels of stress hormone, the be awake and alert hormone means in the evening? Guess what? You won't be able to fall asleep so easily!

So, the first vicious cycle involving cortisol regarding the information above: the less you sleep, the less you will be able to sleep.

But that leads to another thing: stress! Cortisol, the stress hormone, obviously, leads to stress. And the more you stress, the more cortisol, the higher the evening levels of cortisol. Which messes up your sleep cycle even more.

So voila, the first vicious cycle, visualized:

but it's not the end of it! oh boy it is not!

what comes with stress? eating problems!

how elevated cortisol in the evening plays a role in this? well, cortisol belongs to the glucocorticoid group. gluco sounds familiar, right, something to do with glucose right?

it makes more glucose available to the brain (which explains why it starts it peak during sleeping hours - while asleep we do not eat, but our brains are doing their thing, and thus cortisol skyrockets).

not only in the brain, but mostly everywhere, cortisol increases the glucose availability for tissues.

so cortisol makes the sugar be in your blood, but how else, besides the metabolism, can it make you get the sugar? by eating sweets of course! so you crave sugary foods!

you know what also promotes glucose in the blood? NOT insulin! so what cortisol does? blocks the thing. you know what insulin resistance and elevated glucose can do to a guy? make the guy diabetic!

also remember you are stressed, sleepy, crave sweets in elevated cortisol event, so you are less likely to have motivation for anything, including sports, so you are less likely to move, and more likely to gain some weight. and oh, how that makes it even more stressful, so voila, you add fuel to the vicious cycle

visualization here:

of course, there are other things involved, and the grand conclusion could be this:

Source: Hirotsu, C., Tufik, S., & Andersen, M. L. (2015). Interactions between sleep, stress, and metabolism: From physiological to pathological conditions. Sleep Science, 8(3), 143-152.

what can you do to get out of the cycle?

idk honestly. i'd suggest eating breakfast, because cortisol also spikes after meals (idk exactly why) and it can boost your morning cortisol levels to make the slope more pronounced (thus making the evening levels lower)

but most importantly - move. do something physical. there are mechanisms involved, trust me, i just don't want to write another post about them, but it actually helps. it doesn't mean you have to go to the gym and join a sports team, it could mean just taking long walks, maybe search some beginner yoga or whatever. just move around.

here is a pic of individual factors that play a role in this:

and while you can't really change your genetics, disorders, mental distress and most medication use, you can work on unhealthy lifestyle and intoxications

Source of the pic: Van der Valk, E. S., Savas, M., & van Rossum, E. F. (2018). Stress and obesity: are there more susceptible individuals?. Current obesity reports, 7, 193-203.

Image annotation from the source: Conceptual model of the interplay between the stress system and obesity. Various individual characteristics are proposed to play a role in initiating a vicious circle of increased activation of the stress system (both by perceived chronic stress as well as increased net glucocorticoid effect by either endogenous or exogenous GCs) and obesity in a bidirectional manner. Abbreviations: GC, glucocorticoid; SNP, single nucleotide polymorphism; OSA, obstructive sleep apnea

if you read this all i am open to marriage proposals, thank you

[santoschristos]

Hermes Trismegistus

If then you do not make yourself equal to God, you cannot apprehend God; for like is known by like.

Leap clear of all that is corporeal, and make yourself grown to a like expanse with that greatness which is beyond all measure; rise above all time and become eternal; then you will apprehend God. Think that for you too nothing is impossible; deem that you too are immortal, and that you are able to grasp all things in your thought, to know every craft and science; find your home in the haunts of every living creature; make yourself higher than all heights and lower than all depths; bring together in yourself all opposites of quality, heat and cold, dryness and fluidity; think that you are everywhere at once, on land, at sea, in heaven; think that you are not yet begotten, that you are in the womb, that you are young, that you are old, that you have died, that you are in the world beyond the grave; grasp in your thought all of this at once, all times and places, all substances and qualities and magnitudes together; then you can apprehend God.

But if you shut up your soul in your body, and abase yourself, and say “I know nothing, I can do nothing; I am afraid of earth and sea, I cannot mount to heaven; I know not what I was, nor what I shall be,” then what have you to do with God?” -- Hermes Trismegistus, Hermetica: The Greek Corpus Hermeticum.

“Close your eyes and let the mind expand. Let no fear of death or darkness arrest its course. Allow the mind to merge with Mind. Let it flow out upon the great curve of consciousness. Let it soar on the wings of the great bird of duration, up to the very Circle of Eternity.” --Hermes Trismegistus.

“That which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below, to perform the miracles of one only thing.” --Hermes Trismegistus.

“The punishment of desire is the agony of unfulfillment” --Hermes Trismegistus, Poimandres.

“But this discourse, expressed in our paternal language, keeps clear the meaning of its words. The very quality of speech and of the Egyptian words have in themselves the energy of the object they speak of.

Therefore, my king, in so far as you have the power (who are all powerful), keep the discourse uninterpreted, lest mysteries of such greatness come to the Greeks, lest the extravagant, flaccid and (as it were) dandified Greek idiom extinguish something stately and concise, the energetic idiom of usage. For the Greeks have empty speeches, O king, that are energetic only in what they demonstrate, and this is the philosophy of the Greeks, an inane foolosophy of speeches. We, by contrast, use not speeches but sounds that are full of action. --Hermes Trismegistus, Hermetica: The Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius.

“O ye people, earth-born folk, ye who have given yourselves to drunkenness and sleep and ignorance of God, be sober now, cease from your surfeit, cease to be glamored by irrational sleep!” --Hermes Trismegistus, Corpus hermeticum.

[random-xpressions]

A thought - we have clearly underestimated what a single thought could do and what impact it could leave on us. Depending upon the quality of the thought, the duration its carried, or perhaps even the repetition of it through tongue and body, can be the cause of both, perpetual bliss or misery. Haven't you experienced it yourself, when your mind is overwhelmed with anxiety or when your heart is exhausted by grief, then how that condition affects not just your mental health but your very physical existence, you lose appetite for food, your sleeping schedule gets disrupted, your focus span shortens. The culprit being perhaps a single thought that's eating you away. Now turn the tables. Look for those days of your life when you were the happiest. Let's say for example your childhood memories, those carefree times, homestay with cousins, those wild trips into the woods, those hide and seek games you played - how a simple thought philosophy of just being joyous and playful turned your entire world into a replica of heaven. The power of thought is intense and leaves such great impact on all aspects of our lives. So next time a thought hits your psyche, analyze it, cut it deep, find its root and its origin. If good, then feed it. If not, then uproot it then and there and do not entertain it at all because the more you'd pay attention to a negative thought, the more it will spread its cobwebs all around your system, from mind to body to soul, until you become trapped in its entangled ropes. Now go one step further. A battle that's played on defensive very seldom wins and hence take this on the offensive front. Wait not for a thought to arrive at your mind realm but instead go to your mental workshop and create a thought wave. Plan it, engineer it to its finest details. Build it up. Tighten it and screw it well with your being. Permanently fix this thought with you not just mentally but bring it to physical world through verbal affirmations and bodily attestations. Like the thought that you'll not allow the world to any longer affect your inner peace. Build walls. Draw borders. Learn to say NO. Welcome only what's good for you. Prefer solitude to compromise on your standards. Keep building on that thought of inner peace being the top of your priorities and see how your life will take a shift like this point of time as I write this, the horizon slowly filling up with the light of sunrise...

Random Xpressions