Beauty Sleep -Myths and Facts

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s beautiful of them all………. ”. And the heart misses a beat because we are longing to hear “you are”. Yes, looking beautiful in today’s world has definitely taken the front seat, not that it was not earlier, but it’s more now. The beauty regime of a woman usually includes various cosmetics, exercises, visits to parlour, but one very important and mostly ignored area for keeping fit and looking beautiful is ‘a good night sleep’.

We normally don’t relate sleep with beauty, but sleep is like a soft nurse who can help you have a healthy and a radiant skin. Remember, nothing kills a good complexion than a bad night slumber. A good laugh and a good night sleep are the best cures in doctors’ books, that’s why it is called ‘BEAUTY SLEEP.’

There are many things provided absolutely free to us by nature and one of them is sound sleep. It is the cheapest beauty treatment you can give yourself. No beauty creams, no facials, no amount of makeup can give you the glow, fresh and relaxed look that a sound sleep provides.

Sleep renews and refreshes us and is vital for good health and beauty . It also improves the cognitive powers of our minds. The average need for sleep in an individual is eight hours to six hours; it varies from person to person. Identify your need by the way you feel when you wake up.

As women we know that a lack of sleep leaves us irritable; however most of us are unaware of the damage it may be doing to our skin?

During the night the skin is restored from the harmful effects of daily stress. When we do not get the required sleep, our skin suffers. It makes our skin drier and dull.This is especially noticeable in the fragile skin under the eyes. The under eye area is almost fifty percent thinner than the skin on the face.

Sleepless nights leave behind fine lines, dark circles or puffy bags. Cosmetic treatments can soften the effects of sleep deprivation but preventive medicine is the best cure. Eye treatments are limited in their ability and cannot reverse the stress that a lack of sleep will do to the skin.

Have you ever wondered, why do dermatologists often suggest using your most "active" skin creams before bed? This to avoid puffy, bloodshot eyes, dark under-eye circles and a pale washed-out complexion -- and for peak alertness and energy.

Here are some hints to have a good night sleep:

1. Make your room absolutely free of any noise.

2. Minimize light, noise and temperature extremes; your bedroom should be comfortably cool.

3. A refreshing bath can help you to sleep better.

4. Have a fixed bed time routine.

5. Keep the distractions like televisions and computers out of the room.

6. Always use cotton bed sheet while sleeping and your pillows should give enough support to your weary head.

7. Alcohol may help us fall asleep; but it will also wake us in the middle of the night. So avoid taking it just before going to bed.

8. Avoid nicotine, chocolate and caffeine before going to bed because they are stimulants.

9. Meals should be neither too heavy nor too light.

10. Close your eyes and breathe in very deeply, concentrate on the days pleasant happenings.

Remember smiles awake you when you rise. Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.