There’s a reason health and beauty experts around the globe are always emphasising the importance of a good night’s sleep. Disruption of the circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle) has been cited as the cause of a variety of dermatologic conditions. Your skin is the largest organ and lack of sleep or disturbance in sleep schedule affects it the most. The skin contains circadian clock genes which play a role in the regulation of the circadian rhythm.
Our body repairs and recovers while we sleep. Mitosis is the process by which cells divide and repair and at least 6-8 hours of sleep is needed for your body to adequately recover. When you don’t get enough sleep, cortisol, which is a stress hormone alerts your body that something is wrong. A rise in cortisol levels can lead to skin inflammation and decrease wound healing function. Certain skin conditions considered inflammatory are psoriasis, eczema, and acne, all of which can flare up in reaction to poor sleep.
Your skin produces collagen when you sleep which is important to ensure that it stays healthy and youthful. Loss of collagen or a lack of adequate product can lead to skin sagging and loss of elasticity.
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Make sure your last meal is at least 3 hours before you sleep.
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Build a healthy sleep routine of 6 - 8 hours where you sleep and wake up at approximately the same time everyday.
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Regular exercise improves your sleep quality by releasing endorphins which trigger pain relief and positive feelings.
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Drink plenty of water throughout the day for optimum hydration and flush out toxins, reduce redness and itchiness.
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Meditation for a few minutes everyday creates a feeling of calmness, positivity and relaxation, giving your skin a glow from within.
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A dark, cool room makes for the ideal sleeping condition and can help you drift off to sleep faster.
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Use breathable cotton sheets and wash them regularly so they don’t collect dust mites and bacteria.
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Using essential oils like lavender and palmarosa can help relax and induce sleep.
