By Ali Capron
While we all know that taking the time to wind down before bed is important, 1 in 3 adults don’t get the recommended 7 hours of sleep a night. Irregular schedules and last minute plans keep things fresh, but they could be taking an unexpected toll on your energy levels. Getting enough good sleep may be the trick your beauty routine needs.
Beauty That’s More Than Skin Deep
While relaxing and keeping to a skincare routine keeps you (and your skin) happy, using the right products to help you get good sleep is imperative to your health as well. Sleep deprivation means your health is put on the back burner, not intentionally, but out of convenience. At the end of a long work day, you’re more likely to skip the gym and grocery store, and grab something quick (i.e. unhealthy) and head home if you didn’t sleep well the night before. Getting a good night’s rest will leave you with more energy to focus on your physical health without harming your mental health. Depriving yourself of sleep can also have immense effects on your self-esteem, weight, mood, work habits, and even your ability to expand your family. You know your mind doesn’t work as fast on no sleep, but not many people realize the toll it takes on your body – and your physical health is just as important as your mental health. So keep yourself feeling beautiful inside and out, by prioritizing your sleep.
The Secret To Feeling Fresh
Prioritizing sleep starts before bedtime. We all dream of a day that we can wake up early without an alarm, feel perfectly rested, and start the day with minimal fussing about how we look. The secret to getting that beauty sleep? Selfcare and skincare. Don’t just make time for yourself at the end of the day – make time to pamper yourself too. This doesn’t need to be anything over-the-top; just a little something to help you relax and let go of the stress of the day. Take a shower using products with calming ingredients: lavender affects your serotonin levels, and helps soothe an anxious mind. Another way to ease your thoughts is by dimming your lights and turning off any electronics a couple hours before bed. The amount of light in your environment affects your circadian rhythm, which is why we feel more alert during the daytime. This rhythm also controls your body’s production of melatonin, a sleep hormone that regulates your sleep pattern. Reducing light in your bedtime routine helps you produce more of it – some people take sleep aid supplements, but consult with your doctor and try other natural alternatives, like lavender and chamomile, first.
Love Your Skin
The next step you’ll want to take in relaxing is a skincare routine. Not only will following a routine signify to your body that the day is over, but you’ll wake up to happy, glowy skin. Use a cleanser or scrub suitable for your skin type, preferably with mellow scents, to wash away impurities and dry skin. Next, moisturize! Every single skin type needs moisturizer; if you’re oily, it’s because your skin is producing excess oils to replenish what has been stripped away with soap or toner. Replace your skin’s natural oils with a different, beneficial oil, like Olivella’s virgin olive oil based products. Virgin oils are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog your pores. Olive oil has an array of benefits, from making your skin soft and hair shiny, to aiding your cardiovascular system and sleep cycle through it’s anti-inflammatory properties. So not only will incorporating olive oil into your day keep your skin healthy, but your body too.
By pampering yourself and your skin before you turn out the lights, you’ll set yourself up well for that much-needed beauty sleep. Unplug and destress so your sleep goes further than skin deep – because your body, mind and soul are beautiful too.
