Mattress Firm

Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora falls in a slumber while “In ageless sleep, she finds repose,” awaiting her Prince Charming. This timeless Disney classic captures some significance – the reality that sleep is an ageless beauty remedy. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, it is important to make sure we are getting the right amount of sleep, which the National Sleep Foundation say is a minimum of 7 to 8 hours per night. Not getting a full night of sleep on a regular basis is negatively affecting our health, our productivity, and especially our overall appearance. Contrary to what one might think, our body gets a lot accomplished while we’re sleeping.
When our body is not getting the needed hours of sleep to restore itself, we are at risk for a weak and crashing immune system. Too much or too little sleep has a direct affect on our key hormone levels in the body. Lack of sleep lowers levels of leptin, a protein in the body that regulates and controls appetite. Low leptin levels may increase appetite, causing us to crave high carbohydrate foods. Lack of sleep also impinges on a person’s energy level needed for an active day, which negatively affects weight control and productivity.
In addition to looking tired, our skin reflects lack of sleep by looking dull, stressed, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles becomes accelerated due to lack of moisture. Excess fluid begins to accumulate under the eyes causing those infamous dark puffy bags we are all familiar with. Sleep researchers say our body is healing and repairing itself during the hours of slumber. For this reason, dermatologists often suggest using the most “active” and moisturizing skin creams before bed. While we are sound asleep, our skin is taking a break from the harsh environmental effects, our pours dilate to rehydrate, and oxygenated blood moves towards the surface. Adequate amounts of sleep will leave our complexion glowing, our skin moisturized, and decrease inflammation – a culprit to acne and other skin flare-ups.
In order to take control of our beauty sleep, there are important tools and habits we must possess.

• Create a sleep sanctuary. Minimize light and other distractions. Use a white noise that can calm and lull people to sleep, and make sure to be sleeping on a comfortable and supportive mattress.
• Create a relaxing routine. Reading, music, or taking a hot bath before bed promotes a restful stage. The heightened temperature of a hot bath releases stress reducing endorphins, and transitions into a deeper sleep since our body temperature drops during the night.
• Exercise every day. Regular physical activity can promote sleep and keep stress hormones from interfering with your slumber.
• Kick the caffeine and bedtime snacks. These stimulants as well as an active digestive system can disrupt getting to sleep.
• Leave the bed to sleeping. Don’t read, watch TV, or do work while in bed. This helps separate any distractions and prevents development of sleep disorders.

It is imperative to make our beauty sleep a priority. Sleep skin deep, and wake up looking and feeling younger. Sleep yourself skinny with a dream diet of balanced hormones, which calls for a balanced sleep schedule. Our body can attest to the truth that sleeping good leaves you feeling good. Keeping all of this in mind will improve our personal beauty sleep regime. However, one of the most important keys to remember is that “8 hours a day keeps the doctor away!“