While some view sleep as a weakness, studies have shown that sleep is vital to your overall health. Not only does it help reset the body and provide much-needed rest, but it is deeply connected to so many other ailments and body issues.
Getting a good night’s rest is essential for your skin as well. As the body’s largest organ, skin can take a daily beating from sunlight, bumps and bruises, and fighting off viruses and germs. Sleep allows your body to recharge, and enough rest dramatically improves your overall skin. Learn more about how rest affects your overall skin health with these tips:
Sleep Heals the Body
When your active mind is shut down by sleep, your brain can then focus on repairing and tending to other issues. More white blood cells are created to help fight off sickness, and your brain can send other hormones to repair damaged parts of the body. Getting enough quality sleep allows your body the chance to correct skin issues. Sleep-deprived adults not only are more tired, but they also increase their chances of other medical problems when they don’t get enough good sleep.
Lack of Sleep Increases Stress Hormones
Increased cortisol levels take a toll on the overall body. Everyday Health reported that the body releases more cortisol, a stress hormone when you don’t get quality sleep. When it comes to your skin, a boost in cortisol can cause acne and break down skin collagen. Added cortisol can increase overall inflammation, which can affect multiple areas of the skin as well. Getting a good night of sleep decreases the chance that your body is flooded with unnecessary stress hormones.
Quality Over Quantity
It is important to note that getting a good night of rest doesn’t always mean getting a full 8 or 9 hours of sleep each night. The quality of your sleep during those hours is what really counts. Laying in bed for 8 hours doesn’t always equal quality sleep. If you’re tossing and turning all night, or are undiagnosed with sleep apnea, your sleep quality is diminished. Taking steps to ensure deep REM cycle sleep is important. It isn’t just about the hours in bed, but instead, how those hours are put to use when it comes to sleep quality.
Sleep Increases Skin Recovery
Not only does sleep deprivation cause puffiness and wrinkles, but it can also decrease the skin’s ability to recover. A recent study showed that sleep-deprived women were more likely to have issues recovering from skin damage such as sunburns. These women also experienced a higher rate of uneven skin pigmentation and reduced elasticity of the skin overall. Those women who had a good night of sleep took less time to recover after a sunburn and enjoyed less overall skin issues.
There are many reasons to check the quality of your nightly snooze. Quality sleep sessions help to repair and heal your skin as well as prevent wrinkles. Sleep also helps your skin bounce back after a long day in the sun. Checking the quality of your sleep, rather than relying on the quantity, can be beneficial when caring about your skin health. Consider all of these reasons why getting a good night of sleep is beneficial for your overall skin health.