21 Things Women Need To Know About Sleep

Americans Get Physical After a Good Night in Bed

1 May 2008 10:30 Africa/Lagos


Americans Get Physical After a Good Night in Bed

New findings show better sleep linked to improved physical performance

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 1 /PRNewswire/ --

While weary, overextended Americans are turning to "quick fixes" like caffeine and performance-enhancing supplements, which claim to improve everything from their daily workout to their sex lives, they are losing sight of what experts say is essential to improved performance: a good night's sleep.


According to the 2008 Better Sleep Month (BSM) national survey, sponsored by the Better Sleep Council (BSC), those respondents getting nine hours of sleep or more are more likely to engage in higher-intensity workouts, including biking, running and/or weight lifting. Yet an alarming seven in 10 (70 percent) report that they are not getting the recommended amount of sleep needed each night (7 1/2 hours or more) to perform at their best each day.


"Sleep deprivation impacts us physically, which can negatively affect our coordination, agility, mood and energy," says Dr. Bert Jacobson, professor and head of the School of Educational Studies at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the lead author of the new study Grouped Comparisons of Sleep Quality for New and Personal Bedding Systems. "Research shows that sleeping better and longer leads to improvements in athletic performance, including faster sprint time, better endurance, lower heart rate, and even improved mood and higher levels of energy during a workout."


One out of three survey respondents agrees, stating that the best thing about getting a good night's sleep is improved physical performance. However, the BSC explains that better sleep and/or improved physical performance is not just a result of getting one extra hour of sleep a night. "Getting a better night's sleep is about making a larger investment in sleep overall, including taking a closer look at your sleep surface and surroundings. Improving sleep quality is just as important as quantity," adds Dr. Jacobson.


A New Mattress Does a Body Good


The survey also reveals that respondents who report getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night (7.5 hours is optimal) are more likely to be sleeping on a newer mattress (one to four years old). Additionally, findings reveal that those sleeping on a newer mattress are significantly more likely to engage in physical activities than those who sleep on older mattresses:


Type of Physical Newer Mattress Older Mattress
Activity (one - four years old) (eight -10 years old)
Running 59% 6%
Weights 54% 8%
Aerobics 57% 9%




The same survey found that 81 percent of Americans report waking up with back, neck or shoulder pain in the past year, with nearly half (46 percent) of respondents reporting that they frequently (at least a few times a month) wake up with these types of pain that limit their physical performance.


There's good news, however, for the majority of people suffering with limited mobility due to back and neck pain. According to Dr. Jacobson's study, published in the Journal of Applied Ergonomics, sleeping on a new mattress can significantly improve sleep quality during the night and reduce physical pain during the day. In fact, when sleeping on new bedding systems, study respondents on average reported significant improvements in:


* lower back pain (62.8 percent),
* shoulder pain (62.4 percent),
* back stiffness (58.4 percent),
* sleep quality (64.4 percent), and
* sleep comfort (69.6 percent).



"Like your favorite pair of athletic shoes, your mattress can still feel comfortable long after it has lost its ability to provide your body with the comfort and support it needs," said Karin Dillner, BSC spokesperson. "And just as we need the proper equipment to get the best workout, we also need the proper equipment to get the best night's sleep -- most importantly, a quality mattress."


The BSC recommends that consumers evaluate their current mattress by asking themselves four basic questions to determine if it's time for a mattress upgrade:


* Is your mattress five - seven years old or older?
* Do you wake up with stiffness, numbness, aches and pains?
* Do you get a better night's sleep somewhere other than your own bed
(such as a hotel)?
* Does your mattress show visible signs of overuse (sags, stains, etc.)?



The BSC's E.A.S.E. Method provides consumers with easy steps for finding and purchasing the mattress of their dreams. For more information, visit http://www.bettersleep.org/ease.


For more tips on how to Start Every Day with a Good Night's Sleep(TM) during Better Sleep Month, and to download the Better Sleep Guide brochure for simple solutions that can help improve the quality of your performance by improving the quality of your sleep, please visit http://www.bettersleep.org/.


Dr. Bert Jacobson, performance expert, researcher, professor and author of Grouped Comparisons of Sleep Quality for New and Personal Bedding Systems, is available for comment regarding this study and the important role a mattress plays in the quality of one's life. Please contact Kristen Ekey at 202-828-8855 or kristen.ekey@fleishman.com for more information.


About the Better Sleep Council: Established in 1979, the Better Sleep Council (BSC) is the consumer education division of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA). The BSC is devoted to educating the public about the importance of sleep to good health and quality of life, and about the value of the sleep system and sleep environment in pursuit of a good night's sleep.


Survey findings are taken from a survey of 1,000 people, conducted by the polling company(TM), inc., from January 18-21, 2008. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.


Source: Better Sleep Council

CONTACT: Kristen Ekey, +1-202-828-8855, kristen.ekey@fleishman.com, for
Better Sleep Council


Web site: Better Sleep

Quinceanera!

25 Apr 2008 15:29 Africa/Lagos


Video: A Celebration Fit for a Princess - Disney Parks Celebrate Dream-Come- True Quinceanera for 15 Lucky Girls

Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts Honor Selected Winners with a Grand Red-Carpet Entrance and Enchanted Evening at Disneyland Resort in Southern California

ANAHEIM, Calif., April 25 /PRNewswire/ --

Pretty as princesses, 15 special young ladies from across the United States and Puerto Rico celebrated a Dream- Come-True Quinceanera on Thursday at Disneyland Resort, with a grand red- carpet entrance, an enchanting ceremony in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and a pixie-dusted dinner party with family and friends. Royal and resplendent, these lucky girls marked their cultural milestone with a dash of Disney magic, as part of the Year of a Million Dreams celebration.



Christian De La Fuente escorts Amethyst Lisa Cristina Martinez (R) of Miami, FL and Shalmarie Arroyo of Puerto Rico to their Quincenera celebration at Disneyland. Pixie-dusted dreams came true for 15 young ladies from across the United States and Puerto Rico, with an enchanted star-studded experience at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California. (Scott Brinegar/Disneyland)


A tradition in the Latin community, a Quinceanera is a young woman's celebration of her 15th birthday, which marks the transition from a child to a young woman. It is commemorated in a way that distinguishes it from her other birthdays.


The royal evening ceremony at Disneyland Resort was filled with opulence, pageantry and tradition. It began with a dream-come-true moment for any teenage girl -- a celebrity escort along a red carpet that led to the famous Sleeping Beauty Castle. The stellar lineup of stars included Cristina Saralegui, host of "The Cristina Show;" Andy Garcia, acclaimed actor and producer; pop singer Frankie J; actor-dancer Cristian De La Fuente of "Dancing with the Stars" and others.


In the castle forecourt, each birthday girl was greeted by Disney characters and prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Each young lady, elegant and enchanting in her ball gown, danced a special waltz with her father, stepped from her flat shoes into Cinderella-like glass slippers and received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from her mother.


Following the official ceremony in the Castle Forecourt, each of the princesses joined her special guests at a private dinner party in Fantasyland Theater. The unforgettable party included the traditional Quinceanera cutting of the cake and doll ceremony, two important symbols of the transition from childhood to adulthood.


The magic began on Tuesday when the girls arrived, ready to prepare for the grand gala with dress fittings, rehearsals, a princess etiquette seminar, an ice cream social at the Disneyland Dream Suite and plenty of photo opportunities. After two days of fun, bonding and magical anticipation, they were ready for the spotlight and the delightful Quinceanera celebration.


The girls are from California, Florida, Arizona, New York, Texas, Illinois and Puerto Rico. Amethyst Lisa Cristina Martinez of Miami imagined this day for weeks and said, "Dreams aren't impossible." Kassandra Hernandez of Sacramento, Ca., was thrilled to celebrate her coming-of-age with family, a welcome joy after several recent family hardships. And Brenda Prado of Fresno, Ca., said her parents, who are farm workers, were ecstatic that their daughter could enjoy a magical Quinceanera celebration.


The bright lights will keep shining on these lucky young ladies, as their enchanting Disneyland Quinceanera is scheduled to be featured in a one-hour television special on Univision network's "El Show de Cristina," (The Cristina Show). More than 40 international broadcast and news outlets covered the festivities.


To make these dreams come true, Disney Parks launched a national search for prospective princesses in conjunction with selected Univision television news affiliates, Univision.com, Coca-Cola, David's Bridal and "The Cristina Show." Together, they found these 15 special girls to celebrate their magical Quinceaneras at Disneyland Resort.


All eligible princesses-to-be submitted essays explaining why they wanted to have their coming-of-age celebrations at "The Happiest Place on Earth."


To ensure each Quinceanera girl was dressed as a true "belle of the ball," David's Bridal, the nation's leading bridal retailer, provided each of the 15 girls with a ball gown, tiara and shoes. Southwest Airlines provided flights for each young lady and up to seven guests to attend the sparkling soiree. Hewlett-Packard donated limited-edition entertainment notebook PCs to each Quinceanera princess to help her pursue her educational goals and stay connected with family and friends. Kodak provided specially created Quinceanera-themed cameras so that each girl could capture her unique and thrilling memories.


Disney Parks, already a home to lavish ceremonies and magical milestone celebrations for guests visiting from around the globe every year, provides a castle-full of Quinceanera celebration options for young women and their families.


Quinceanera celebrations at Disneyland Resort Hotels or Walt Disney World Resort can be traditional, spiritual, large or intimate. Up to 500 guests can enjoy a Quinceanera at Disney Parks, with popular themes including fairy tale treasures such as "Cinderella" and "Beauty & the Beast" celebrations.


Other custom and lavish options include:
-- Disney character appearances, including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse,
dressed in formal or elegant charro attire
-- Cinderella's enchanted crystal coach, presented by a quartet of fanfare
trumpeters
-- An artful cake adorned with Disney princesses or characters
-- A towering, 40-foot-wide castle facade creating a storybook setting for
a formal dinner
-- The Quinceanera girl's name spelled in lights or illuminated balloons
-- Intricate ice carvings
-- Ornate floral arrangements and table centerpieces


For more information on Disney Parks' Quinceanera product offerings and vacation packages, including the special Labor Day weekend Quinceanera at Walt Disney World Resort, guests may visit Disneyparks.com/quinceanera or Parquesdisney.com/quinceanera. For phone assistance about Quinceaneras at Walt Disney World, call 321-939-4555, and for Disneyland Resort in Southern California, call 866-55-DISNEY.


Media Contacts:
Norma Perez
Disneyland Resort
714-781-3997
norma.e.perez@disney.com

Mari Santana
Walt Disney World Resort
407-719-4056
mari.santana@disney.com


Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/disney/32865
Source: Walt Disney World

CONTACT: Norma Perez, Disneyland Resort, +1-714-781-3997,
norma.e.perez@disney.com; or Mari Santana, Walt Disney World Resort,
+1-407-719-4056, mari.santana@disney.com


Web site: Disney Quinceanera
http://www.parquesdisney.com/quinceanera


NOTE TO EDITORS: A high-resolution image is available at: http://www.hispanicprwire.com/home.php?l=in
Una celebración digna de una princesa: Los Parques Disney cumplen los sueños de 15 afortunadas quinceañeras
LOS COMPLEJOS DE ATRACCIONES DISNEYLAND Y WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT HONRARON A LAS GANADORAS CON UNA GRAN ENTRADA POR LA ALFOMBRA ROJA PARA CELEBRAR UNA NOCHE MAGICA EN EL DISNEYLAND RESORT DEL SUR DE CALIFORNIA
Click here to view this press release in English.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - 24 de abril de 2008 /PRNewswire/—Preciosas como unas princesas, 15 jovencitas de Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico celebraron su "Quinceañera de Ensueño" el jueves en el Disneyland Resort con una gran entrada por la alfombra roja, una mágica ceremonia en frente del Castillo de la Bella Durmiente y una cena con familiares y amigos. Luciendo espléndidas como realeza, estas afortunadas jovencitas marcaron esta tradición cultural con un toque de magia de Disney como parte de la celebración "El Año de un Millón de Sueños".

Celebrar los quince años de las jovencitas es una tradición en la comunidad latina, ya que marca su transición de niña a mujer. Por ello, se celebra de una manera que se distingue de sus otros cumpleaños.

La ceremonia real tomo lugar de noche en el complejo de atracciones Disneyland Resort que estuvo repleto de opulencia, esplendor y tradición. Comenzó cumpliendo el sueño de toda adolescente: caminando por la alfombra roja del brazo de una celebridad hacia el famoso Castillo de la Bella Durmiente. La lista estelar de estrellas incluyó a Cristina Saralegui, presentadora de "El Show de Cristina;" Andy Garcia, aclamado actor y productor; el cantante de pop Frankie J; el actor y bailarín Cristián De La Fuente de "Dancing with the Stars" entre otros.

A la entrada del castillo y preparadas para una celebración única en la vida, cada una de la cumpleañeras fue recibida por los personajes de Disney. Cada jovencita, luciendo elegante con su vestido de fiesta, bailó un vals especial con su padre, se quitó su calzado de niña para lucir los zapatos de cristal similares a los de Cenicienta y recibió un hermoso ramo de flores de parte de su madre.

Luego de la ceremonia en el patio delantero del castillo, cada jovencita homenajeada acompañó a sus invitados especiales en una cena privada en el Fantasyland Theater. Esta inolvidable fiesta incluyó el tradicional corte de pastel y la ceremonia de la última muñeca, dos aspectos del evento que también marcan el paso de la niñez a la adultez.

La magia comenzó el martes cuando las jovencitas llegaron, listas para los preparativos de la gran gala: pruebas de vestidos, ensayos, clases de etiqueta, un evento social en la Disneyland Dream Suite donde tomaron un helado y tuvieron varias oportunidades para tomarse fotos. Después de dos días de diversión, de convivencia y anticipación, estuvieron listas para la gran celebración de Quinceañera.

Las jovencitas son de California, Florida, Arizona, Nueva York, Texas, Illinois y Puerto Rico. Amethyst Lisa Cristina Martínez de Miami se imaginó este día por varias semanas y dijo, "Los sueños no son imposibles". Kassandra Hernández de Sacramento, Ca., se sintió emocionada al celebrar su cambio de niña a mujer con su familia y recibir un poco de felicidad después de pasar por momentos difíciles en la familia. Y Brenda Prado de Fresno, Ca., dijo que sus padres quienes trabajan en el campo, se quedaron sorprendidos que su hija fuera a tener una celebración de Quinceañera tan mágica.

Las luces seguirán brillando sobre estas afortunadas quinceañeras, ya que su mágica celebración en Disneyland está programada para ser transmitida en un especial televisivo de una hora de duración en "El Show de Cristina", a través de la cadena Univisión. Más de 40 medios internacionales cubrieron las festividades.

Para lograr que estos sueños se conviertan en realidad, los Parques Disney lanzaron una búsqueda nacional para encontrar a las posibles princesas con la colaboración de estaciones afiliadas de Univisión, Coca-Cola, David's Bridal y "El Show de Cristina". Juntos, encontraron a estas 15 jovencitas especiales para celebrar sus mágicas fiestas de quince en el complejo de atracciones Disneyland Resort.

Todas las jovencitas elegibles presentaron un ensayo en el que explicaban por qué deseaban celebrar su paso a la adultez en "El Lugar Más Feliz de la Tierra". Las jovencitas tuvieron tiempo hasta el 24 de marzo para presentar sus ensayos.

Para garantizar que cada quinceañera luciera como la verdadera "bella de la fiesta", David's Bridal, la tienda de vestidos de novia más importante del país, le dio a cada una de las 15 niñas, el vestido, la tiara y el calzado. Southwest Airlines donó los boletos de avión a cada jovencita y un total de siete invitados para asistir a la sensacional velada. Hewlett Packard donó computadoras Notebook PC de edición limitada a cada una de las Quinceañeras para ayudarlas a seguir sus metas educativas y mantenerlas en comunicación con sus familiares y amigos. Kodak proveyó cámaras especialmente creadas con motivos de quinceañeras para que cada jovencita pudiera capturar sus únicos y apasionantes momentos.

Los Parques Disney, que cada año albergan espléndidas ceremonias y mágicas celebraciones de acontecimientos para visitantes de todo el mundo, ponen a disposición de las quinceañeras un castillo repleto de opciones para celebrar junto a sus familias. Las celebraciones de las quinceañeras en los complejos de atracciones Disneyland Resort y Walt Disney World Resort pueden ser tradicionales, espirituales, grandiosas o íntimas. Hasta 500 invitados podrán asistir a las celebraciones de las quinceañeras en los Parques Disney. Se escucharán temas populares incluyendo las preciadas canciones de los cuentos de hadas como "Cenicienta" y "La Bella y La Bestia".

Otras opciones espléndidas y a pedido incluyen:

Apariciones de los personajes de Disney, incluidos Mickey Mouse y Minnie Mouse, vestidos en sus atuendos formales o elegantes trajes de charro.
El encantado carruaje de cristal de Cenicienta, presentado por un cuarteto de sensacionales trompetistas
Un ingenioso pastel adornado con las princesas o los personajes de Disney

Una imponente fachada sobre el castillo de 40 pies de ancho con la ambientación de un cuento para una cena formal
El nombre de la quinceañera escrito con luces o globos iluminados
Elaboradas esculturas en hielo
Decoración con arreglos florales y centros de mesa
Si desea obtener más información acerca de lo que los parques Disney tienen para ofrecer a las quinceañeras, incluyendo paquetes turísticos y una oferta especial para una Quinceañera en el fin de semana del dia del trabajo en el Walt Disney World Resort, visite Disneyparks.com/quinceañera o Parquesdisney.com/quinceañera. Para ayuda telefónica sobre Quinceañeras en Walt Disney World, llame al 321-939-4555, y para el Disneyland Resort en el Sur de California llame al 866-55-DISNEY.