Beauty sleep is the real deal! If you aren’t getting enough sleep each night, it can be taking a toll on your skin. When you are tired, cortisol levels increase causing inflammation and a lack of oxygen to the skin. This results in a dull, uneven complexion and can enhance the appearance of age spots. A lack of sleep also puts stress on the body which breaks down the collagen in our skin and enhances the appearance of aging.
Anti-aging creams and undereye serums can only do so much when we aren’t getting enough sleep. A lack of sleep ages us, where a good night’s rest actually has anti-aging effects. When we sleep our bodies repair themselves; rebuilding collage, reducing wrinkles and age spots. In a sense, we can sleep our ways to younger skin. For your body to do this, you should get at least 7 to 9 hours a night. Sometimes, that’s easier said than done! As we age, we have a harder time falling asleep, staying asleep, and have more frequent episodes of insomnia. Although this age-related side effect is normal, it doesn’t make it any less frustrating for the person experiencing it. The good news is, even if you are experiencing age related sleep troubles, there are ways you can improve your quality of sleep and reap those anti-aging benefits.
1. Invest in a cooling pillow
We perspire more in our sleep which can have two major impacts on our skin; the perspiration can cause bacteria, increasing the size of pores, blackheads and acne. Further to this, we are also losing moisture through sweat, making our skin drier. We sleep better when we are cooler, and a cooling buckwheat pillow can help with that. The unique structure of buckwheat hull enhances air circulation for a cooler sleep. A cooling pillow will reduce the amount of perspiration and in turn, can help prevent those sleep-sweat related skin issues.
2. Maintain a regular sleep schedule
As we get older our circadian rhythm can shift, making us tired earlier and waking up earlier than we did when we were younger. Having a nighttime routine and set bedtime will help keep your sleep cycle in check. Waking early can make you feel tired by mid-day, making it tough to make it through the afternoon! Taking a nap is fine, but best to keep it to roughly 20 minutes so that falling asleep later at night doesn’t become difficult. A regular sleep schedule will allow your body to repair and replenish while you sleep.
3. Have a comfortable bed, bedding, and pillow
With age, aches and pains are more common. One night’s sleep on a lumpy mattress or old pillow can cause back and neck pain that can last for weeks! Investing in a buckwheat pillow will provide the support and comfort for a quality sleep. To amp up the anti-aging effects of sleep, use a silk pillowcase. The fabric is much gentler on the skin and is also better for hair.
Consistent, quality sleep can help us look refreshed and younger. Although it can be a bit more challenging as we get older, there are ways you can improve your sleep and as a result, turn back the clock on the aging process.