By Dr. Mark Wiley,
The Healthy Back Institute

As a person who personally suffered excruciating headaches and musculo-skeletal pain for the better part of 30 years, I can tell you without blinking that sound sleep is a wonder pill you cannot due without.

Sleep is not only a fundamental human need… it is a necessity that no one who experiences aches or pains of any kind should take for granted.

It is so important, in fact, that our bodies are programmed to shut down before we start losing our health. We naturally fall asleep when our body tells our brain that certain essential chemicals have been depleated and that our muscles and ligaments are tired and in need of restoration.

Problem is, so many of us rely on the use of legal stimulants, such as caffeine and sugar, to force ourselves to continue on. Work, after all, cannot be held back by not-enough-work-hours in the week. We stay up too late, we get up too early, we consume unhealthy amounts of toxic substances to do this–night after night.

The net result? We are both sick AND tired. Not “either/or” but both. Constantly. For the better part of our adult lives. And it has taken its toll.

Click here to read why sleep is so essential and how to get more of it.

Rituals are a mainstay of traditional cultures.

Many revolve around religious ceremonies and coming-of-age celebrations.

What marks them as so unique is that they reoccur at the same special place and time and always hold meaning and deep value for the celebrants.

The United States has few rituals anymore. Yes we have Holy Communion and sweet sixteen parties. And for some, the grinding of coffee beans and filling of he automatic drip is a morning ritual they cannot do without. Perhaps it’s not quite as automatic as getting up for work, but over time what’s special about making the first cup can become a little routine.

It’s fair to say that it is a lack of rituals with meaning that makes many Americans feel as if their lives are devoid of something… special.

Click here to discover how you can make healthy lifestyle habits into meaningful (and healthful) daily rituals…