Have you ever wondered if there were genuine reasons to get your beauty sleep? Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm shared that people deprived of sleep for long periods appear unhealthier and less attractive than those who are well rested. I've always wondered if there was an actual connection between a good night's sleep and beauty. When I think of beauty I think of physical appearance, but this is just one of the reasons to get your beauty sleep.
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1. Sex Life
If we are going to consider reasons to get your beauty sleep, we may as well start with sex. If you don't get enough sleep you risk the chance of feeling fatigued. When you don't have energy, your sex life will suffer. Allison T. Siebern, PhD, a fellow in the Insomnia and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Stanford University Sleep Medicine Center, says sleep-deprived men and women report problems with sex. “Lack of sleep can lead to low energy, fatigue, and sleepiness,” says Siebern. “This may affect libido and/or decrease interest in sex.”
2. Weight Management
You can't skip sleep if you are trying to lose weight. University of Chicago researcher Dr. Eve Van Cauter discovered that sleep deprivation stimulates appetite because it decreases the level of deptin (the "feel full" hormone) while increasing the level of ghrelin (the "feel hungry" hormone). On a personal note, I've noticed that when I get less sleep, I'm less active and not as motivated to work out.
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3. Pretty Woman
Seven to eight hours of sleep is ideal for most women. Anything more than eight hours can cause you to wake up looking puffy and feeling sluggish. Anything less causes blood vessels to dilate, creating the look of dark circles. It can also make you more stressed and everyone will notice. "It makes you look angry, tired, sad, and certainly older," says New York City dermatologist Doris Day, MD. She wrote the book "Forget the Facelift" and notes that, "Your skin, and your whole body, goes into repair mode when you sleep." The good news is that our skin recovers quickly, so commit to getting in your 8 hours over the next couple of days and you and everyone else will notice the difference.
4. Brain Activity
When you get enough sleep you are able to dream, and that means you can process some of the unfinished business from the previous day or even week. We are constantly thinking and it doesn't stop when we sleep. But when we allow ourselves a good night's sleep, our brains are able to rest while recovery takes place. Also, if you are a student, don't stay up too many nights cramming. According to a Trent University study, students who study all night forget up to one-third of everything they learned the night, and even days, before.
5. Health & Wellness
Beauty sleep is just as important to our overall health as eating our vegetables and breaking a sweat. Sleep heightens the body's immune defenses and that goes a long way in warding off colds, and even living longer. Dr. Linda Toth, a pharmacology professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, shares, "When you're sleep deprived, you produce abnormally high levels of cytokines (proteins that send messages between cells), which can delay the process of healing."
6. Happy Mood
This one is pretty obvious. I know that if I don't get enough sleep (and I need at least 7 hours), I am a total grouch. Forget about talking to me in the morning! Dr. Nancy Hamilton from the University of Kansas shares, "People who routinely sleep well are more likely to feel better about life and about themselves. Although it's not clear which came first - a sense of well-being or a good night's sleep - it probably worked both ways."
7. Spur Creativity
Have you ever noticed that when you wake up from great sleep, you feel inspired to create? Maybe you wake up with a new song in your head, or a fresh idea for your canvas. I find that I am able to write best in the morning over a cup of Mint Tea after having a great night of beauty sleep! I read on Health.com that in addition to consolidating memories, or making them stronger, our brains appear to recognize and restructure them, which may result in more creativity.
So there you have it, ladies! Next time you have the urge to skip on your sleep and just pour another cup of coffee, remember these reasons! How much sleep do you need?
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