Sleep right & wake up to a brand new you
Beauty & Life on a Budget, by Rachel Harris
Look around this month’s magazine stands and you will notice that just about every beauty magazine touts an article about the benefits of good sleep. A good night’s sleep is fundamental to staying healthy, alert and even fighting the signs of aging.
So I decided to do some research about the benefits of bedtime. I discovered some changes that I needed to make to get myself to bed on time and get the deep sleep that has amazing beauty and health benefits.
I have been at this improved sleep routine for a couple of weeks now and wow – what a difference! Friends have commented that I look better: my skin, my eyes – and I am hoping soon – my figure!
Read on for tips and tricks to learn how to get to sleep, how to stay asleep, and how to unleash a magical anti-aging hormone that only comes out at night.
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If you want to look younger, lose weight and feel great through better shut-eye, sleep doctor Michael Breus, Ph. D. says to read his book called Good Night: The Sleep Doctor's 4-Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health. Breus helps readers identify the difference between a sleep disorder versus disordered sleep. If you are like me, it is the latter with bad habits like going to bed too late and engaging in evening activities that prohibit, not promote, sound slumber. I paid $15 for the sleep guide and it has been some of the best money I’ve spent! So, make this book your first step in unlocking the terrific benefits of beauty sleep. |
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When your lunch hour comes to a close, put the coffee cup down! I am guilty as charged of making the 4 p.m. Starbucks run to get me through my night job – home with the kids! Preparing the family dinner followed by dirty dishes, laundry, baths, homework and more after working all day, in or outside of the home, is called working the night shift. In Dr. Breus book, he states that consuming caffeine after 2 p.m. may affect your ability to fall asleep that evening. I have cut out the afternoon jolt and I am falling asleep faster! |
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Are you wearing the right pajamas? It turns out that I was waking up overheated because my jammies were too warm for the climate I live in. My thick flannel nighties were unnecessary in my Phoenix bedroom. Plus, several of my menopausal friends tell me that hot flashes frequently interrupt sleep. This month’s issue of Health magazine recommends moisture-wicking synthetic fibers instead of cottons, which hold the moisture next to your skin. The Windbleu line is the perfect partner to comfortable sleep as we women battle the night sweats brought on by menopause. Order yours at www.wildbleu.com |
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One of my favorite sections in Dr. Breus’ book discusses a growth hormone that comes out as we sleep to rebuild and repair skin cells. Many dermatologists recommend using your favorite wrinkle cream at night so that the product can work hand in hand with the restorative work that your body will do in a deep sleep.
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Getting a good night’s rest every night enables the body to get to the highly-desired deep sleep cycle that allows the growth hormone to come out and work. It is like getting a beneficial spa treatment every night!
To get the maximum deep sleep benefits, the National Sleep Institute recommends sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night, so count back from your wake-up time to calculate what your personal bedtime should be. I wake at 6 a.m., so I have moved up my bedtime from 11:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., sharp. |
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| You name it; I was doing all of the wrong activities at night. For example, I would pay bills or watch a stimulating movie. I found myself wound up as the night wound down. |
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Now, I don’t do the budget after 5 p.m. and if I watch a movie, I pick something light that will end before my scheduled bedtime. A warm bath or good book with a decaf herbal tea such as chamomile has been a much better choice as I prepare myself for a state of slumber. Since implementing these changes, I have been falling into that much-desired beauty sleep faster and I feel much better!
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| There are many other changes you can implement to bring on and improve your sleep such as eating the right bedtime foods, keeping a sleep diary and investing in new linens that better suit your personal sleep issues. |
See more sleep steps in my next segment airing on Tuesday, January 29th on Channel 3’s Your Life A to Z show. Sweet dreams!
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