An inherent instinct, stress raises blood pressure and floods the body with cortisol, much like a built in safety mechanism it prepares us for battle or to burst into a run.

Useful when dogging a bullet or breaking in traffic it heightens the senses and puts all your parts on alert, but prolong this state indefinitely and it is rather like high revs and wheelies – your engine and tyres will wear out leaving you with an unresponsive vehicle stuck in race mode!

In humans chronic stress equates to a compromised immune system, impaired cognitive function, poor digestion, aching muscles and much more.

Click here read about stress and sickness.

Like all beasts stress is best awakened in select moments and kept sedated the rest of the time. So, this month’s mission is to master the art of sedating stress using the best beast tamer of all – sleep!

Why sleep is your secret weapon against stress – it restores hormonal balance much like a pit crew changes bald tyres, realigns the wheels, and tops up your tank. It acts like a sedative on stress counteracting oxidative damage and making it easier to cope with the beast when it rears its ugly head.

Objective: Identify sleep obstacles and implement ‘sound sleep’ strategies.

To follow are a few common lifestyle habits which make it difficult to get sound sleep -

-Working the Night Shift
-Large Meals Late in the Evening
-Sitters Syndrome (inactive lifestyle)
-Pill Popping (relying on artificial sleep aids)
-Caffeine Catalysts (using coffee to stay awake/alert)
-Constantly Connected (internet,pda’s,mobile phones etc..)

Did you identify with any of these or can you relate to any of the following signs of stress/sleep deprivation:

-Fatigue
-Moodiness
-Depression
-Memory Loss
-Slow to React
-Low Motivation
-Lack of Concentration

With a knowledge of your disruptive behaviours coupled by an awareness of the impact it is having on your body and brain we can now begin implementing some ‘sound sleep’ strategies:

Increase Your Serotonin Levels
Carbohydrates can support serotonin production but sugar loaded varieties only offer a short term solution. Choose complex carbohydrates like root vegetables, nuts and wild rice which help your brain properly process the tryptophan (a large amino that converts to serotonin in the brain) in protein.

Feed your Hormones
Fat is essential to many hormonal processes, look for foods naturally high in DHA (i.e. mackerel, wild salmon,avocados, nuts, flaxseed).

Moderate Your Mood
Get in some ‘good oil’, support brain health and boost your mood with a quality fish oil supplement.

Slow Serotonin Breakdown
Consider an adaptogenic supplement like Rhodiola which slows the breakdown of serotonin.

Stop Using Stimulants
Dump the stimulant cycle including sugars,caffeine and any sleep aids. Start by reducing your reliance by replacing part of your portion (ie. one out four cups of coffee) or pills with an alternative therapy (i.e. a cup of ginseng tea or a melatonin capsule).

Move More
Exercise boosts cardiovascular efficiency, encourages endorphins and aligns well with consistent sleep patterns.

Nap Now and Then
It is not always possible to nod off on a regular schedule or sleep soundly whilst neighbours jam it out next door so when you fall short of sound sleep try napping every now and then. Studies link afternoon power naps with increased productivity, better cognitive function and memory retention, and lower stress levels.

Try these seven ‘sound sleep’ strategies implementing one each day over the course of a week and see if this doesn’t help sedate the stress beast within.

Wilderland then collaborated with renowned underground DJ and multi-instrumentalist Rara Avis (Desert Dwellers, Shaman’s Dream) to co-produce the album with Blum and realize their musical vision. It was during these studio sessions that the unimaginable Gulf Oil Spill tragedy happened which deeply affected all involved in the project. Ironically, the song Fragile Day was being worked on at that very moment and when explaining the song’s lyrics to Avis, Blum realized that a powerful synchronicity was afoot. The song included the lyric “Fish are dimming while they’re swimming / Blackened ocean of foam” which although written nearly two years prior, was about fish dying because of an oil spill. Credit is given to Blum’s wife Madisyn Taylor who suggested that Fragile Day be released immediately with all proceeds benefiting the habitat affected by the oil spill.

Also touched by the horrific environmental tragedy, music industry superstars Toby Wright (Grammy award winning producer of Alice in Chains, Korn, 3 Doors Down, etc.) and Stephen Marcussen (mastering engineer for the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Cher, Paul McCartney, etc.) both contributed their expertise to this worthwhile project. Fine art photographer Roy DiTosti provided the image entitled “Blue Eggs Nest” which became the album cover.

Fragile Day by Wilderland was released digitally on iTunes on July 20, 2010 with 100% of the proceeds donated to three important charities helping the habitat affected by the Gulf Oil Spill Tragedy. These organizations include The Gulf Restoration Network, EarthShare and The WILD Foundation.

Support music that makes a difference by dowloading the following two song single from iTunes for only $1.98.

Read the Lyrics and watch the video then download the song and sign up for updates!