A new study by researchers at Stanford University underscores the importance of uninterrupted sleep, and not just an adequate duration of rest, in ensuring our natural health and functioning. In the study, the team subtly interrupted the sleep of mice without curtailing their total amount of sleep time, and found a significant reduction in memory and pattern recognition versus mice whose sleep had not been interrupted. As we have written about in other posts, the new study is a reminder that our sleep patterns offer an essential window into our personal health and well-being. Whenever our regular sleep patterns move from a natural norm, this is generally a symptom of reduced overall well-being and an opportunity for new health insights. Almost always, finding the root cause of our sleep disturbances creates a gateway to greater overall health and improved quality of life. If you or someone you know regularly awakens during the night, learn more about the new study at Fragmented Sleep.

Photo courtesy of Paul Sapiano

We often hear about seeing the forest through the trees, but how about the light? It is a powerful learning to sense the trees and forests we all create for ourselves, intricate and pleasing shapes perhaps, ones that may give us needed shade and respite for a time, but that are not our full life in the light and horizons of nature. Can you name what is standing between you and your next level of health and natural vitality today, what most keeps you from even fuller expressions of your life and natural spirit? Always, there is something, even if we cannot immediately name it. If you need help with this important question of light and life, learn more about HumanaNatura and progressive natural living  at Natural Living or see a slideshow summarizing our science-based natural health system at About HumanaNatura.

Photo courtesy of Ken J.

Alain de Botton summarizes the six essays of his worthwhile Consolations in two sentences, “Not everything which makes us feel better is good for us. Not everything which hurts may be bad.” Almost all of us understand this essential idea, but still struggle to overcome our native instincts and intuitions to live fuller and more adaptive lives than simple hedonism allows. A way out of this dilemma involves progressive or natural living – where we develop a life plan for ourselves and then periodically improve it as we work toward its goals, learning from our actions and the world around us as we proceed. The approach is based on natural evolution and relatively simple, and yet often proves quite powerful, surfacing and testing our ideas and assumptions and often remaking our lives in unexpected ways over time. Get information on HumanaNatura’s recommended practice of natural life planning at Developing Your Plan and learn about de Botton’s work at Alain de Botton.

Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eisenerzer_Reichenstein.jpg

The Greek philosopher Epicurus sought the way to the happiest life possible. Contrary to beliefs he advocated hedonism – a mistaken notion that has perhaps helped his fame endure – Epicurus actually advocated a simple life focused on three pursuits: 1) friendship, 2) freedom, and 3) thought. More than two thousand years later, in the modern age and using principles of evolutionary and health science, HumanaNatura guides people to greater quality of life in a similar way. Our solution overlaps with Epicurus but extends well beyond his ideas. The HumanaNatura system involves four core health techniques and the mastery of ten dimensions of natural living, each working to produce more optimal individual and community life. Learn more about our science-based natural health system at About HumanaNatura and explore for yourself the science and power of our new approach to the ancient challenge of life well-lived.

Photo courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epicurus_Louvre.jpg

We hear so much about finding our inner light, but it may be that seeking outer light is far more important. After all, we are evolved from the sun and its light striking the earth; our natural human life is an outward one of engagement, endeavor, and relationships in the larger environment; and much research suggests that a predominantly outward focus, not an inward one, is a surer path to personal discovery, proportion, harmony, and happiness today. The next time someone yells, “look out!”, perhaps you will appreciate more fully this natural truth of all healthy life.