Mindful Living

I have had a recent resurgence in my sleep disorder so I thought it was a good time to do some educating about disorders of the sleep wake cycle. I have a condition called hypnagogic hallucinations.  This is a disorder of the sleep/wake cycle where you can have auditory or visual hallucinations at the onset of your brain entering sleep.   This disorder usually appears in the teens or childhood (although many will outgrow it) I was not one of the lucky ones.  There is usually other family members with a sleep disorder also.  When I first started experiencing these I was terrified and thought that "evil spirits" were trying to get me at night.  I spent many years going to therapists who did not know what they were either and were not sure how to advise me. You are dreaming but you are still awake. " Hypnagogic hallucinations are dreams that intrude on wakefulness, which can cause visual, auditory, or touchable sensations."  From  http://www.americansleeplabs.

From the director :  It's been a long time!  Life had gotten away from me and I have not done a newsletter in quite some time. Instead of monthly newsletters we will now do quarterly- which will be more manageable but I will also have more to say!  As for me personally I now have 3 children in college and a partial empty nest (one child at home). I had a health scare over the summer that turned out fine; worried for nothing . But I also know that as I age health problems will continue to occur so best to take care of myself better.   Exercising is pretty easy to do consistently for me and I have been meditating daily but eating well is a downfall for me especially when I am too busy.  Spending time outdoors in nature is very stress reducing for me and this time of year is perfect for walking outdoors.   This weekend I will be up north hopefully enjoying the fall colors.   As for the clinic we are fortunate to announce that Erin Perez LPC has joined us!  She comes to us with m