Get a Better Sleep: Tips for Effective Beauty Sleep
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Beauty sleep is the real deal; take advantage of it! Your body needs time to rest, and that includes your skin. Skin needs the time you are asleep to work on new skin cells, and bring nutrients to the top to keep you looking healthy and youthful as possible.
Calm your Skin
Be gentle with your skin as you get ready for bed–you are preparing it for hours to luxuriate and regenerate and should take as much advantage of this as possible. Gently cleanse your skin and lightly apply a night cream that will rehydrate you after a long day. Collagen in the skin regenerates at night and being gentle with your skin is important to support this process.
Give Your Screens a Curfew
To cut down on your stimulation before bed, give yourself a curfew for TV and computer use. This will this improve your ability to sleep in two important ways. Firstly, removing artificial light reduces the stimulus provided to the brain that keeps you alert. Secondly, cutting out the outside world at an appropriate time reduces stress and keeps you “mindful”–you can pay attention to your immediate surroundings and your mind becomes calm, making it easier to sleep. This is a form of meditation and is highly effective in improving one’s ability to sleep.
Be Comfortable
Being comfortable when you are preparing sleep is done a few ways: all these tips affect your skin!
1. Temperature
Firstly, make sure your room is the right temperature for a restful sleep. Sixteen to 20 degrees Celsius is recommended, but a good rule of thumb is knowing that you are not too hot. You shouldn’t be shivering in bed, but being too hot will dehydrate you. Adjust the temperature using blankets. The right sleeping temperature will ensure restful sleep while allowing your body to stay as hydrated as possible throughout the night–very important for good skincare.
2. Wear the Right Clothes
Wearing the right clothes will allow you to be comfortable while you sleep, but will also give your skin a break throughout the night. Wear pyjamas that are loose–tight clothing irritates your skin by trapping sweat and rubbing material against you.
