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UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF NATURAL REST When we lie down and settle into sleep, our brain starts descending from the conscious realm into the soothing arms of slumber. As you drift off, your brain activity decelerates, your body temperature dips, and muscles relax. This phase, known as light sleep, makes up about half of our total sleep time. As the night progresses, we enter the deep sleep stage. Here, our body’s muscle tone and heartbeat find their calmest rhythm while the brain’s activity shifts to delta waves. It’s like a restorative elixir flowing through you, bolstering your immune system and mending the day’s wear and tear. Deep sleep is pivotal in cementing memories and contributes to creativity and insightful thinking. Then, we enter the famous REM sleep, when our brain activity escalates. It is the stage responsible for our most vivid dreams and a fountain of learning and creativity. To enter REM sleep, we must be asleep for at least 90 minutes to cycle through light to deep sleep. Once we are in it, REM can last for about 90 minutes. If we wake up naturally from the light sleep stage, we feel refreshed and rejuvenated. A clock alarm, though, doesn’t know which sleep stage we are in, so it may wake us when we are in the deep sleep stage. Being abruptly awoken in this state leaves us disoriented and groggy. It creates sleep inertia, an uncomfortable stage that can put us in a bad mood when we first wake up. Our bodies are not designed to wake up during deep sleep. Cortisol, our natural energy hormone, is like a slow-release pill crafted by nature. Levels decrease as we get ready to go to bed and rise when it is time to wake up. If the alarm disrupts the natural sleep cycle, waking us before the cortisol surge, we feel out of sorts. Our brains and bodies are designed to balance our well- being. When we respect its natural rhythms, we enhance our mood, boost our cognitive abilities, and nurture our overall health. Each night is a new opportunity to reconnect with your body’s innate wisdom and wake up to a more vibrant and harmonious life. So tonight, when you lay your head on the pillow, listen to the whisper of your internal clock and embrace your natural sleep patterns. Sweet dreams and sweeter morning awakenings are ahead if you do.
BETWEEN HEAVEN
REFLECTING ON MOU
Mount Cristo Rey, straddling the borders of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, is not just a geographical landmark but a symbol of faith and unity that beckons to both the devout and the explorers at heart. Particularly during Good Friday and Easter weekend, this trail transforms into a vibrant mix of cultural and spiritual pilgrimage, attracting thousands seeking solace and connection.
The trail to the summit of Mount Cristo Rey is both a physical and symbolic ascent, winding through the rugged beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert. Stretching over a 4.4-mile round trip, it offers a moderate challenge to hikers, with the reward of unparalleled panoramic views that span two countries and three states at the peak. Particularly during the holy days of Easter, the holiday’s significance makes the journey special; the path becomes a catalyst for personal reflection and communal celebration.
At the heart of this pilgrimage is the towering 29- foot limestone statue of Christ the King, a monumental work completed in 1939 under the guidance of sculptor Urbici Soler.
SUDO KU
SOLUTION ON PG. 4
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