Importance of Sleep for Healthy Skin

Getting or not getting enough sleep can affect many aspects of your life.  In your skin’s case, it’s a pretty big effect.  A good night's sleep can mean healthy skin.  If you don’t have good sleep,  your body makes more of the stress hormone cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol can lead to increased stress and inflammation in the body, hurting your skin’s quality.    

Not getting enough sleep can:
 

• Worsen skin conditions-it creates inflammation which can flare up acne, dermatitis, and eczema
• Develop dark circles under your eyes-If you lie on your stomach, liquid can pool in the trough of your under-eye throughout the night and cause puffiness.  It’s always best to sleep on your back or side if possible.  Sleeping on your stomach can also increase the likelihood of stress lines on the face from being pressed into a pillow.
• Drier skin-sleep is nourishment for your entire body, if you’re not getting adequate amounts your body can’t go through it’s normal functions or normal lubrication-resulting in flaky, dry, and non lustrous skin.
• Fast track for aging-Sleep deprived skin is aging skin.  During deep sleep, the rise in growth hormones allows damaged cells to become repaired.  Without REM sleep, this won't happen, so your skin doesn’t get the repair that it needs, resulting in older looking skin.

Basically, sleep is something we all need.  So how can I increase my sleep and the quality of that sleep?

1. Develop a routine and go to bed at the same time every night-if your body gets on a schedule it will normally keep it.  If you get used to going to bed at 10pm every night you should start getting sleepy around that time.  
2. Plan your work-out- early, midday, or dusk. Ideal times. Big cardio after dark revs up the metabolism and makes sleep elusive.
3. Stop caffeine mid-day- and no sugary treats after 7pm.
4. Eat dinner earlier- A light dinner also requires less digestion which helps sleep to arrive earlier.
5. Shut down those electronic devices by your bedside- Turn the computer off and relocate that TV to another room. A dark, quiet,   cool bedroom promotes deep, peaceful sleep.

Not getting enough sleep wreaks havoc on your life and your skin, but all is not lost.  Start trying to implement these tips into your day and you’ll be on your way to healthier skin!