Jamie Willard

Around one in every five adults does not get as much sleep as they desire. This is called poor sleep which is synonymous to insomnia. Poor sleep is not only about waking for long periods between sleep, but also about not being able to get off to sleep, waking up too early, or even not feeling refreshed after a night’s sleep. Since I was young, my parents would usually tell me to get at least eight hours of sleep. However, recent studies show that different people need different amounts of sleep depending on age. As we get older, it is normal to sleep less. So what really causes poor sleep? Here’s a rundown of the major reasons why many people suffer from sleep problems.

1. Stress
People who are stressed out normally suffer from sleep problems. Stress, as many medical experts say, is the primary cause of disrupted sleep. It is often difficult for people to switch off problems especially from work during bedtime. This is the reason why most executives who have drilled their minds the whole day would get less sleep. Oftentimes, they wake up in the middle of their sleep and it becomes hard for them to go back to sleep again. Relaxation is important to fight stress in order to get proper sleep. Go to a spa, or catch up with friends after work to help relieve some burdensome thoughts off your mind. For some people, taking natural sleeping aids that contain sleep enhancers such as melatonin, chamomile, valerian root and wild jujube seed extract would yield to a “stress-free” sleep.

2. Depression and anxiety
People who suffer from depression and anxiety have the tendency to develop abnormal sleeping patterns. They tend to think about their problems too deeply to the extent that they don’t want to sleep anymore. Some people even cry in between sleep, making it even more difficult for them to get down sleeping again. Other symptoms of depression also include low mood, poor concentration, tearfulness and persistent negative thoughts Depression and anxiety often lead to stress. They are interconnected factors of poor sleep. If this happens regularly and becomes a major reason why you don’t get to sleep properly for a week, it is best to get counseling or consult a psychologist.

3. Illnesses
Many types of illnesses keep some people awake at night For example, people who suffer from cough and colds would have some difficulty hitting the sack. I remember during high school when I had asthma. I often wake up several times in the middle of the night to take some medications. The next day, I would feel sleepy during class and ft greatly affected my performance in school. Some illnesses, on the other hand, cause pain. This is even worse because chronic pain wouldn’t make people sleep at all. If this happens, ask your doctor about pain management itchiness caused by certain types of skin problems would also lead to sleep inconvenience. Consult a dermatologist for treatment, or maybe, it’s time to check your mattresses if there are bed bugs.

4. Stimulants
There are three common stimulants that make people awake all night, and eventually develop sleep problems. The first culprit is alcohol, which is often mistaken to induce sleep. However, alcohol actually leads to broken sleep and early morning wakefulness. Second is caffeine which is found in tea, coffee, some softdrink products and surprisingly, chocolates! Caffeine is a popular stimulant and may cause disrupted sleep. Third most common stimulant is nicotine. So for people who smoke often, this may be the time to check your sleep patterns so you’ll find out if it already affects you.

5. Sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. This condthon sometimes occurs to people who snore. This is caused by the collapsing or narrowing of airways as the person falls asleep. ft is a very inconvenient condition because it lets the person wake up many times during the night to breathe properly. This results to daytime tiredness and grogginess. However, experts clarifr that not all people who snore suffer from sleep apnoea. People who snore but are able to sleep well may not be suffering from sleep apnoea. lfyou happen to experience the symptoms of disrupted sleep due to breathing problems, then I suggest you consult the doctor and seek medication.

They’re antsy and edgy, tired of waiting for promotion opportunities at work as their elders put off retirement. A good number of them are just waiting for the economy to pick up so they can hop to the next job, find something more fulfilling and get what they think they deserve Oh, and they want work-life balance, too.

Sounds like Gen Y, the so-called “entitlement generation,” right? Not necessarily, say people who track the generations. In these hard times, they’re also hearing strong rumblings of discontent from Generation X. They’re the 32- to 44-year-olds who are wedged between baby boomers and their children, often feeling like forgotten middle siblings—and increasingly restless at work as a result.

“All of a sudden, we’ve gone from being the young upstarts to being the curmudgeons,” says Bruce Tulgan, a generational consultant who’s written books about various age groups, including his fellow Gen Xers.

This isn’t the first time Gen Xers have faced tough times. They came of age during a recession and survived the dot-com bust of 2000. In recent years, though, more members of the generation—stereotyped early on as jaded individualists—had families or began settling down in other ways. It was time, they thought, to enjoy the rewards of paying some dues.

“We were starting to buy into the system, at least to some extent,” Tulgan says, “and then we got the rug pulled out from under us.”

Now, in this latest recession, nearly two-thirds of baby boomer workers, ages 50 to 61, say they might have to push back their retirement, according to, a recent survey from Pew Research.

Kyoto – Some call it one of the world’s most romantic cities if you aw where to look and the rest of the world is catching up to unravel The mystifying beauty of this city the former imperial capital of Japan. Without the grand gesture that’s always expected of romantic cities, the metropolitan districts gestures are secluded, much like the discretion of Japanese culture itself.

Leece – called the Florence of the South, this southern Italian city has many historic buildings, mostly churches, to boast of. What makes this a good place to visit is the fact that its rural location makes its cost of living relatively tower than the more popular points of attraction in the country.

Sarajevo—The capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina is filled with cultural flourishes with influences from Austria. Turkey and other European and Eastern Asian countries The country is fortity4ng its tourism promotion and its largest city is at the center of attraction.

Singapore — With one of the most aggressive tourism campaigns in the world (financed heftily), the city-state, formerly devoid of any cultural distinction, is now the Asian capital of cultural diversity and advancement. Cuisine has always been its main selling point but high- profile events are making the small island one of the most globally hip destinations.

Vancouver – The Olympic Winter Games are a promise that this Canadian city will be receiving an enormous number of visitors next year. But other than that it also takes pride in its artistic side, courtesy of museums. film and mu sic festivals and theater companies. Lonely Planets Best in Travel 2010
the most comprehensive travel year book is available online for $1499.

Who would ever think a few years ago that notebooks. laptops or “netbooks” those computers so small, they fit into designer bags would be as trendy sought-after and diverse as mobile phones? The IT generations constant need for up-to-date information, social networking and alternative means of communication has given rise to a wide array of ready- to-go, work-anywhere personal computers in a multitude shapes sizes, specs and even colors it, one of the country’s leading manufacturers and distributors of excellent and dependable consumer portables, introduces its latest line of mobile computers aptly named the EDGE—a new concept that will perfectly fit the new fast-paced and exciting digital lifestyle, great fix work and leisure, or both.

First impressions will surely last as a Neo EDGE Z3240 maybe one of the smartest and hippest looking laptop you will ever see, a wonder how this carefully-engineered work of art packs so many great features in such a compact frame that redefines the term “ultra-thin. ”

favorite For serious business presentations, the EDGE Z3240 connects easily with any compatible projector LCD monitor or HDTV via standard VGA and HDMI port the latter being a new, up-and-coming standard for high definition output from your laptop. Just hook it up and you’re good to go.Wireless connection is also a cinch with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and the built-in 3G/HSDPA slot where you can plug-in any local 3G SIM card and you’re off to the Internet races Surf the Web at 3G speeds in school, at home or at your coffee shops and hangouts.

Cliché as it may be, the EDGE Z3240 is definitely not your ordinary laptop. Its also great for students who need to be online ail the time. And with its cool and hip design, the EDGE Z3240 will be a sure-fire hit among your classmates and friends.

Tipping the scales at less than 1.5 kilograms and thinner than 22mm throughout its sleek silver metal finish and lightweight construction, the EDGE Z3240 beautifully traverses the fine line of efficient performance and silky ultra-portability—joy to experience and behold.

Pre-installed with the latest Microsoft Windows operating systems such as Vista or the up-and-coming Windows 7 every Neo EDGE Z3240 is up and running out of the bat Simple and user-friendly it also offers a comfortable and familiar environment for computer users of any level.

Neo EDGE redefines ‘cutting-edge mobility and cutting-edge performance” with its stylish design. powerftil performance and lightweight portability. That’s more power and mobility for the fast- paced digital generation homes, schools and businesses of today.

Here are two ways to look at the latest statements of the World Bank regarding the business process outsourcing & industry in the Philippines.

Outsourcing is the practice of contracting the operations of specific business functions to a third party provider, most common of which are call centers.

The bank says that despite the global economic slowdown, outsourcing will grow by an estimated 20 percent for the full year and increase the percentage of Filipinos it employs relative to the work force.

Last year, the industry grew 28 percent year on year. It employs 1 percent of the working population.

Outsourcing firms, which started locating in Metro Manila but now are setting up in key cities all over the country provide an entry- level salaiy that is relatively higher than that of other industries. Communication skills are the only basic requirement. This attracts the young and those who cannot find opportunities in their own fields. It helps boost consumer demand besides.

The industry has not been immune from the slowdown’s effects. With clients mostly from the crisis-stricken retail industry in the US and other countries, outsourcing firms have scaled down activity in voice services. Still, a 15-percent growth was observed in the first six months of 2009, a respectable rate given the uncertain environment.

But the bank’s chief economist for the Philippines warns that the
government must not rely on this industry to shore up the economy
which is projected to register minimal, if not flat, growth this year.

Eric Le Borgne said that the services industry, of which outsourcing is a part, has acted as the employment safety net of Filipinos. “The service sector in the Philippines is large, but it reflects a failure to boost economic activity rather than a mark of success in diversifying the structure of growth.”

Indeed services have kept the economy afloat when output from the more traditional agriculture and industry sectors suffered a dent from the crisis. This is not to say that all the attention should be on keeping this advantage without regard for the other sectors. The government must work on its more basic and structural industries that will make the economy less susceptible to external shocks.

Whether outsourcing will live up to its promise is uncertain. What is sure is that basic services like food security health care, education and housing as well as infrastnicture and business climate stability need the government’s attention if it wants to provide a better life for more Filipinos aside from remaining competitive in a growing industry.