Why Sleep is Essential
We don’t need to tell you how important sleep is, you already know. A good night’s sleep reduces stress and allows your body to repair damaged cells. It is a regenerative process that aids the body in digestion, and the regulation of the heart, circulatory system and brain activity. When you don’t sleep enough, the brain’s processing cycle is disrupted, which can lead to illness, increased susceptibility to disease and premature aging.
Sleep is essential to a healthy body and for maintaining radiant skin. Your body produces melatonin while you sleep which is a hormone that helps control your sleep cycles, but did you also know that melatonin is able to suppress ultraviolet (UV) damage to skin cells and has strong antioxidant activity in UV exposed cells? It’s necessary for maintaining healthy skin cells. However, did you also know that getting too much sleep is worse than not getting enough?! The effects of too much sleep (more than 8 hours if you’re not an olympic athlete or suffering from a medical condition) actually causes cardiovascular damage in the long run. That’s why it’s essential to go to bed at the same time every night and aim for about eight hours. The body is able to better adjust to a daily sleep routine and synchronize its internal clock when you are consistent. This applies to young and old, and men and women alike.
For many of us that live a fast paced lifestyle, in most cases, we need more than just our “beauty sleep.” It is important that we do activities that promote relaxation on a regular basis. According to a journal focused on studies regarding depression and anxiety, “stress-related depression may contribute to ‘accelerated aging’.” Besides exercising and eating nutritious foods, activities that put your mind at ease such as meditation for a few minutes everyday, or breathing exercises will also help keep your stress at a minimum.
To get the right amount of sleep and fall asleep, try these tips:
- Avoid looking at a screen (tv/cell phone/laptop) for at least one hour before your ideal bedtime
- Minimize food consumption before bed as you might abruptly wake up in the middle of night
- If you don't know your sleeping cycle, try using an activity tracker at night to track it so you can wake up at the right time
- Do something relaxing before bed. That can be meditation, reading, writing or just mentally going through your day
As an anti-aging skincare necessity, sleep’s main advantage to the skin is aiding in reduced stress levels, cell re-growth, hormone production and regulation, and a more relaxed disposition. Obtaining proper sleep is important for looking younger than your years and enjoying a longer life. Always listen to your body and give it what it needs.