The Benefits of Sleep for Your Skin and Health

Sleep makes you look and feel better, but the importance of a good night’s rest goes way beyond just boosting your mood or banishing under-eye circles. Sleep is a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more!

Why is Sleep Important for your Health and Skin?

Sleep is a state of natural unconsciousness that typically recurs for several hours every night. Good sleep makes us feel more alert, more energetic, happier and better able to function in our daily activities. People tend to think that sleep is a time when the body and mind can shut down, rest and reset. However, that is not the case. Sleep is an active period in which our bodies and minds start to process, restore and strengthen itself. Sleep is linked to people’s physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Don’t Skimp on Your Sleep

A survey of 2,000 American adults concludes, despite the desire for a good night’s rest, the average person is not even close to getting the recommended eight hours per night. When it comes to our health, sleep is just as important as regular exercise and eating a balance diet! Remember to unplug and turn off your devices.

Woman covering face with white bedding.

Importance of Having a Healthy Sleep Routine… Get Your Beauty Sleep

They call it “Beauty Sleep” for a reason. When it comes to your beauty routine, sleep is truly one of the closest things to the fountain of youth. Why? Your skin makes new collagen when you sleep, resulting in less sagging and fewer wrinkles. When your body receives less than the desired amount of sleep, your complexion can look ashen and lifeless. Sleep lets your body boost blood flow to the skin, giving you a glowing complexion upon waking.

We’ve all had puffy, dark circles under our eyes from a night of too few zzz’s. Being tired causes our facial expressions to change in subtle, consistent ways which often makes us look furrowed and frowning. Getting that full eight hours of beauty sleep leads to a happier and healthier appearance. Continue to improve your sleep routine by relaxing and clearing your mind in the evening. Relaxation techniques like listening to music, reading a book and taking a hot bath before bed have been shown to improve sleep quality.

  • Sleep is essential for a healthy heart. According to the National Sleep Foundation, people who do not get enough rest are at a higher risk for cardiovascular and coronary heart disease – regardless of age, weight, smoking, or exercise habits. Research has confirmed that not enough quality sleep contributes to health conditions like glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and inflammation. Even one night of insufficient sleep can upset your system and increase these risks. To improve your sleeping habits, try increasing your exposure to natural sunlight or bright lights during the day. Natural sunlight or bright light during the day helps keep your circadian rhythm (your body’s natural time-keeping clock) healthy. This improves daytime energy as well as your nighttime sleep quality and duration.

  • Man waking up refreshed.Sleep can help you maintain a healthy weight. Are you thinking about starting a diet? You may want to consider heading to bed earlier as well. On average, the less people sleep, the more they weigh, and are likely to continue to gain weight over time. Poor sleeping patters can leave you with cravings that can be hard to control. Leptin, a hormone released from fat cells, suppresses hunger and sends signals to the brain when you are full. When you do not get enough quality sleep, the body releases less leptin, leaving you hungry and increasing your appetite. Improve your sleep quality by trying to go to bed and waking up at a consistent time each day. Being consistent with your sleep and waking times advance long-term sleep quality.

  • Sleep improves your brain function, focus and over-all mood. Quality shuteye helps you stay sharp and alert throughout the course of your day. Sleep serves to reenergize the body and mind. When you get a good night’s rest, you are able to make better sense of new information, retain information, and preserve important memories. Little-to-no sleep leads to negative moods such as anger, frustration, irritability, and sadness. When you get a quality night of rest, your mood and brain functionality often return to normal. Improve your sleep quality by optimizing your bedroom environment. People believe that the bedroom environment and the way it is setup are key factors in getting a good night’s sleep. The room temperature, noise, external lights, and furniture arrangement may be causing you some restlessness. Optimize your bedroom environment by minimizing external noise and artificial light. Make your bedroom a quiet, relaxing, clean, and enjoyable place to reset and recharge.

Incorporate these helpful tips into your routine to improve your sleeping patterns and overall well-being. Getting enough quality sleep helps protect and replenish your mental health, physical health and overall quality of life. Contact our office if you want more tips about improving the look of your skin.