You’ve definitely heard of the term ‘beauty sleep’, accepting it while not really understanding what is implied. Is it sleep that makes you more attractive? Is it a specific type of sleep you have to work for?
Beauty sleep, in truth, is just your normal sleep, with a few more fulfilling tweaks. Regular nightly sleep or naps can be considered beauty sleep if you treat it as such.
The Importance of Consistent Sleep for Your Health
The first step to understanding why beauty sleep is important is to understand why sleep overall is important.
Consistent sleep for the recommended number of hours (7 to 9 hours for an adult) allows your body to repair itself internally and externally. The better quality sleep you have, the less chance you have of developing long-term illnesses and disorders. One of the biggest points for sleeping consistently is the reduced risk of heart disease in the future.
You’re mentally sound and alert after you’ve had the right quantity of sleep, more productive and prepared for the oncoming day. Your body mends itself physically at night as well. Tissues, cells, muscle mass, bones are all rejuvenated and maintained when your body is least in motion.
You’re also recharged and filled with the stamina you need to tackle the day. Whether it’s work, school or simply making it through the day, you have that night’s worth of rest to power you through it all.
Finally, this is where the concept of ‘beauty’ comes into play. While your body is asleep, your blood flow increases and surges to the skin, repairing the damage done by UV rays and dirt you were exposed to in the day.
So, not only does it revitalize your mental and physical condition, it helps you look more refreshed and rejuvenated every time you sleep well.
Why Shorter Naps Help Your Health as Well?
Sleep in smaller quantities is not something usually recommended, since the ideal cycle is one period of sleep and one period of awake productivity. However, not everyone’s systems operate the same way.
You might have a lot to get through in one day, which may demand a short additional period of rest to stay active and constructive. There’s no issue in taking a nap. In fact, there are actually various benefits when you include a healthy napping habit in your routine.
Rest in general is beneficial for you, so there should never be a shortage of it in your life. Rest helps improve your memory in the short and long term. You can lift your mood with some light rest and relieve hidden stressors from the morning. You’re more alert and you can even see improvements in your professional life.
The concept of power naps is also a common practice. These 20-minute naps allow you to recover strength and energy lost throughout the first half of the day. It’s as if you hit refresh on your mind. Slow everything down, put it on pause and relax for 10 to 30 minutes. This is the timeframe your naps should be at most, otherwise you can risk experiencing sleep inertia, which leaves you groggy and tired even after you wake up. These small naps can also help to boost your mood and improve your day.
It should be noted that you’ll only achieve these benefits if you’re consistent with your naps. That means if you take a nap in the afternoon, you’re taking one every day at the same time. Naps are most beneficial in the afternoon, right in the middle of the day where they can act as an intermission between periods of productivity.
You might want to check: Best Collagen Cream
What is Beauty Sleep For?
Since sleep encompasses so many benefits, why single out beauty sleep? Your ‘beauty sleep’ aims to manipulate the already present benefits of sleep, and direct them towards improving your complexion.
While you sleep, your body rebuilds its stash of collagen within the skin, reverses any damage caused by UV rays, dirt, debris in the air, and keeps wrinkles and age spots at bay.
What are the Benefits of Beauty Sleep?
Just like proper sleep, beauty sleep comes with an abundance of benefits. It’s a matter of making your beauty sleep a routine that you religiously follow for these benefits to finally shine.
Beauty sleep helps your skin restore itself quicker. The UV rays, dirt, dust and bacteria that have settled on your skin are removed and your pores are cleansed. Of course, a cleansing face wash before bed helps improve these results. You can also avoid breakouts when you sleep for the required number of hours. More sleep equates less stress, which prevents acne and pimples from developing.
The release of collagen helps hydrate your skin resulting in plump, rosy cheeks rather than pale, lifeless and sagging skin. This prevents your skin from developing wrinkles as well for a smoother looking complexion.
An irresistible benefit of beauty sleep is brighter eyes and less prominent eye bags. You’ll have glowing skin in the morning with rosier cheeks and a fuller expression. Even your hair has something to gain from getting beauty sleep. The nutrients your hair requires comes from blood flow, which is best distributed when you’re asleep.
How to Enhance Your Beauty Sleep?
Sleep on its own is well and good, but there are ways you can seriously improve the results of your beauty sleep without putting in too much effort at all. If you truly want to reap all the benefits beauty sleep has to offer, then partner it with your nightly routine. The longer you sleep, the more actively your body will repair your skin and complexion. You get better results when you add a little beauty treatment to every night, rather than quick, inconsistent naps.
Your sleep should be complemented with a quick face wash before bed, and if your skin can handle it, some creams and oils for your skin. These will better absorb throughout the night, and a quick wash will ensure you’re not going to sleep with dirt clinging to your skin. Use moisturizers before you go to bed to maintain hydrated skin at night and promote a tighter and brighter complexion in the morning.
Some people have sensitive skin and sleep on abrasive pillowcases, which do not complement one another well at all. In this case, moisturizer is the perfect solution to keep your skin from getting damaged. As an additional hydration precaution, have a glass of water at your bedside.
Moisture can tend to build up around the eyes, especially when you’re sleeping. This can lead to puffy eyes in the morning, which isn’t a pretty sight. To avoid this, sleep at an elevated angle or on your back so the moisture doesn’t settle by your eyes, or invest in a pillowcase that helps to prevent this. Silk and satin are two skin-safe materials that you can use as pillow covers for fewer wrinkles and moisture collection.
It’s also important to stay away from the sun while you’re sleeping. Most of the time we’re in the dark while we sleep, but this point refers to daytime naps. Your skin’s health could be heavily damaged with direct, constant sunlight. Sleeping under bright lights can also confuse your internal clock as to when you should be awake and asleep. Try to keep your sleeping environment at a cool temperature, quiet and dark.
Conclusion
Beauty sleep is a worthy investment of time when done right. You’ll wake up feeling more fresh, with a brighter complexion and ready to take on a healthier lifestyle. It’s not hard to retain your youthful complexion, it’s a simple matter of bathing in the fountain of youth – a perfect night’s rest. Partner your sleep with some healthy habits and accessories so you’re well-prepared, and enjoy your sleep as stress-free as possible. The results can come easily and will be sure to leave you glowing in the morning.