For healthy, luminous skin, there’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep. If you’re not getting the recommended seven-to-nine hours a night, your skin will show it! It may look dull, sunken and possibly saggy.
Sleep is the catalyst for your body to create collagen, regenerate the skin’s cells, and help anti-aging and moisturizing products to properly penetrate your skin.
Here are a few sleep suggestions to help you get—and keep—that youthful glow:
- Take time to wind down. At least 30 minutes before bedtime, shut down your electronics. These can over-stimulate your brain and make falling asleep difficult.
- Take a warm bath or shower. Sometimes the warmth of water allows bodies to relax and wash away daily stresses.
- Read. Reading a standard book with physical pages before bed can help you fall asleep faster.
- Use essential oils. Use a diffuser or sprinkle a few drops on your pillows and bedding. Lavender, eucalyptus and chamomile are good choices for relaxation.
- Turn off the lights and keep cool. Create the perfect environment by closing your drapes or buying blackout shades to keep your bedroom dark. Turn away your clock’s bright light, cover up your cable box, and lower the thermostat to a cool but not cold temperature.
- No alcohol or coffee. As much as we may love both, they can affect your ability to sleep properly. Decaffeinated herbal teas are a great alternative to coffee in the evening.
- Write in a journal. Organize your brain and eliminate toxicity by putting pen to paper. It may help you relax and fall asleep.
- Exercise early in the day. It generally takes our bodies two-to-three hours to cool down properly after exercise. Right after work or early in the morning is best.
- Have a consistent bedtime. Going to bed late and sleeping in past noon on weekends can wreck havoc on your sleep schedule. Try to keep your bedtime and wake-up time on weekends within a few hours of your weekday schedule.
