If you’ve ever woken up with bags under your eyes after a long night, you know that sleep has the ability to affect your appearance. However, few people realize just how much sleep quality affects how you look and feel. If you want to wake up in the morning looking your best, here’s what you need to know.
Beauty Rest is Real
Does your skin seem to glow the morning after a good night’s rest? You’re not imagining it: Your body repairs damaged cells and tissues while you sleep as well as generating new collagen to fight fine lines and wrinkles. The result? Brighter, firmer skin the following day. Poor sleep, on the other hand, causes the inflammation that leads to puffy eyes and a blotchy complexion. Poor sleep can even cause acne thanks to stress’s ability to trigger sebum production.
Good sleep has benefits for your hair, too. While you sleep, proteins are synthesized to generate new hair growth, leading to the lush head of hair you’re after. Chronic sleep deprivation, on the other hand, contributes to stress and hair loss.
5 Tips for Better Beauty Rest
If you want to look your best, sleeping well is a must. But what if you’re trying your best to catch quality shut-eye but still waking up fatigued? These tips will help you maximize your beauty rest, so you sleep better and look better.
- Give yourself a bedtime
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is the most important thing you can do for your sleep. If you’re hitting the sack at random times, your circadian rhythm will fall out of sync. As a result, your body won’t know when you’re supposed to feel tired versus awake. If you’re a night owl, shift your bedtime earlier gradually and aim for at least 15 minutes of sunlight or light therapy box exposure each morning.
- Don’t skimp on your mattress
It’s hard to sleep well if you’re not comfortable. While mattress prices may leave you with sticker shock, replacing your old, lumpy mattress is an investment in your health. When shopping for a mattress, consider both your sleep style and your body type. While most mattress manufacturers offer different firmness options like plush soft, luxury firm, and firm, what feels firm for a petite person may be too soft for someone heavier.
- Or your pillowcase
Your pillow has a big impact on your comfort in bed, but when it comes to beauty sleep, the pillowcase matters just as much. While rough fabrics like cotton create friction, a satin or silk pillowcase is softer on your skin and hair to minimize irritation. If you’re not already a back sleeper, consider making that switch, too: The more contact between your face and the pillow, the more likely you are to develop fine lines and wrinkles.
- Stay hydrated
It shouldn’t come as any surprise that staying hydrated is good for your skin. However, you might not know that it’s important for sleep, too. Dehydration contributes to snoring and leg cramps that can disrupt your sleep and increases the odds that you wake up groggy. Stay hydrated throughout the day but avoid downing water right before bed if you’re prone to nighttime bathroom trips.
- Calm your mind
Does a racing mind keep you up at night? If stress and anxiety keep you from sleep, turn to meditation to clear your mind before bed. The simple practice of focusing on your breath keeps your mind off stressful thoughts, leading to benefits for your shut-eye and your skin. You can also reduce stress by making your bedroom more conducive to sleeping. Start by decluttering and removing any technology like a TV or laptop. Then you can remove bright lighting, shut your windows, and keep closet and bathroom doors closed.
Sleep helps you look and feel younger, but that doesn’t mean you should pop sleeping pills in the name of beauty rest. The best quality sleep comes from all-natural changes like a consistent routine, a comfortable bedroom, and good habits while you’re awake.
Guest blogger,
Sheila Olson
