The Art of Beauty Sleep

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Is Beauty Sleep real? 

Getting a good night’s beauty sleep in the Winter may seem like no problem, right? After all, it is the season of sipping on our favorite hot beverage and snuggling up with our favorite blanket! This dreamy idea may make one feel cozy, yet for most of us, this idea is usually not the reality. With holidays right around the corner, the already long nights seem even longer with our preoccupied mind of holiday lists and stressful event planning.However, awell-restedsleep is essential to waking up energized and alert. While somemaythink“Beauty Sleep” is just a myth,I’m here to tell you that Beauty Sleep is actually a real thing! When we sleep,our stress hormone (cortisol) is reduced, while our sleep-wake cycle hormone (melatonin) is increased. During this stage of our day, our bodies and skin are in full repair mode.

Blue light, whether from the sun or devices, is a great melatonin production inhibitor, thus our sleep’s quantity and quality is reduced.

Lack of sleep can leave your face looking puffy in the morning. Why? Because when our bodies are under stress our cortisol levels rise, which changes the salt balance in our body. This causes our bodies to retain water, resulting in puffiness. When we sleep our skin heals itself from daytime damages such as sun-rays, pollution and other various stressors.

How Blue Light Affects Our Sleep 

The science of natural light and how it interacts with us and the world around us isfascinating to say the least. Research has proven that even though UV light is invisible, it still does damage our skin. The sun emits visible light, a portion of which is known to be blue light. Researchers state that blue light from the sun can harm our skin and eyes. Blue light also emanates from most digital devices, including your smartphone and computer, where the damage isup closeand personal. It’s evident that blue light in the 380-400 nm range is very damaging and problematic.In dark environments, the pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin, which is the sleep-wake cycle hormone, alerting the body to go to sleep. Blue light, whether from the sun or devices, is a great melatonin production inhibitor, thus our sleep’s quantity and quality is reduced. To help reduce blue light exposure and decrease the frequency of sleep disturbance, it is recommended that one does not use devices 30 minutes prior to bed.

The Four Stages of Sleep

Sleep is made up of four complex stages and sleep disturbance can occur in the first two stages of sleep. Stage 1 of sleep begins when you start to snooze off to sleep. This stage consists of periods of wakefulness occurring before and intermittently throughout the various sleep stages. Stage 2 of sleep is defined as Non-REM sleep and this is when the heart rate begins to slow down and the body’s temperature is reduced. Stage 3 of sleep consists of delta waves or slow waves. Awakenings or arousals are rare in this stage and it is often difficult to awaken someone in stage 3 of sleep. Lastly, Stage 4 of sleep is REM sleep or Rapid Eye Movement. This stage of sleep is commonly known as the dreaming stage. Eye movements are rapid, moving from side to side and brain waves are more active than in previous stages of sleep. Being woken during this stage period can leave one feeling groggy and extremely sleepy.

Skin cells grow faster when we sleep

Sleeping for Our Skin!

Skin cells grow faster when we sleep and this method of rejuvenation for the skin is very beneficial for the skin. Cleansing before bed and being selective with our skincare products are also both very crucial for skin renewal and restoration. We must select products that will optimize skin recovery and keep our skin healthy and hydrated. You can try some of my favorite and new skincare products @kdskin.Don’t forget beauties, get a restful night’s sleep to help your mind and your skin, avoid using devices 30 minutes prior to bed and be selective with your skincare products to be able to glow all year long!

Sleep is for the mind and the body

Evidently, restful sleep is extremely important for both, one's mind and one's body. I hope you all take my suggestions and adjust your sleep routine to get a better night's sleep. What changes are you going to make to your sleep routine to get a more restful night's sleep?