Someone once told us to always invest in good shoes and a good bed- because when you’re not in one, then you’re in the other. While us ladies may need no encouragement to move a few extra pairs of heels from our wishlist to our shopping cart, we often have some serious commitment issues when it comes to our beds and this can take a toll on our skin and general health.
So let’s take a look at the importance of sleep, and maybe have you reaching for that bedroom linen catalogue.
Time to put the beauty back in beauty sleep!
Why we need sleep?
We all know sleep is important but the true extent of that importance is often underestimated. We need sleep to give our bodies a chance not only to reenergise but also to repair. An adequate amount of sleep is necessary to ensure both a healthy brain and body. It’s associated with improved cognitive, cardiovascular, hormonal and mental health. It assists in muscle repair and weight loss, and there is even evidence getting enough z’s can boost your sex life.
But why does sleep play such a big role in maintaining youthful skin?
The science of beauty sleep
The consequences of not sleeping enough can make their way onto our faces. Most of us are acquainted with the visual signs of sleep deficit- dark circles around our eyes, lifeless skin and early signs of ageing. This is because naturally occurring growth hormones, which may also be associated with maintaining the collagen matrix, are released in the deep sleep phases, phase 3 and 4. The secretion of growth hormone during sleep is associated with an increase in our skin’s ability to create new cells and to breakdown old cells. This is important for repairing and replacing skin cells, as well as ridding our bodies of those damaged by factors such as stress and UV rays.
So just how much sleep is enough sleep? Well the National Sleep Foundation has made this handy infographic to take out the guesswork.
Happy snoozing!
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