Beauty Sleep - It's For Real!!

How many of us wake up with fine lines, puffy bags or dark circles under our eyes? The phrase getting your beauty sleep really does have merit! During deep (REM) sleep, our body works to restore our skin from the negative effects of daily stress. It's a necessary time that our body uses to restore energy reserves and regenerate tissues and cells. While sleep experts recommend 8 hours of sleep each night, research indicates that the average woman gets just slightly more than 6.5 hours each night. Not only does this lack of recuperative sleep leave us feeling more irritable, it may also be damaging our skin. It can cause premature aging, not to mention a host of non-skin related problems. While there are a plethora of cosmetics designed to mask the effects of sleep deprivation, the best thing you can do for your skin is to get better sleep. So, with the many demands us women have in our lives, how are we supposed to sleep more restfully? Here are some tips that you can try: 1. Take the TV out of your bedroom! Television stimulates your brain activity making it harder to fall into a deep sleep. 2. Keep the temperature in your room cool. Use a quiet fan if you need to. 3. Don't eat after 7 p.m. Going to bed overfull isn't good for your sleep or your digestion. Have a snack early in the evening. If you must have something later, make it small. 4. Limit your caffeine and nicotine intake. Both are stimulants that can contribute to sleeping issues. 5. Taking a relaxing bath before bedtime can help promote sleep. The heat from the water naturally relaxes your muscles. 6. Have a warm glass of milk. Grandma knew what she was talking about. Warm milk contains tryptophan, a natural substance thought to aid in sleep. 7. Keep the bedroom dark. The part of the brain that controls your sleep cycle is located close to the optic nerves and is light sensitive. Use heavy blind or drapes to keep the room dark. 8. Use lavender scented potpourri in your room or a lavender scented linen spray on your bed linens. Lavender has long been used to promote relaxation and aid in better sleep.