Beauty sleep is not just the stuff of fairytales. There is no better time to rejuvenate mind, body, soul and skin than when you hit that pillow. If your version of #wokeuplikethis is less Beyonce than you’d like, follow these steps for quality beauty sleep. And remember, deep sleep is beauty sleep.
- Snacks Vs. Sleeps: Your body does need time to digest, so eating a few hours before bed is the best to avoid waking up feel bloated. If you do need a midnight snack, make it full of magnesium to help you find the deep slumber your body needs. Spoon out some avocado, mash up a banana or down a mug of warm herbal tea.
- Pump up the cells: Skin does its very best work at night, so give your cell regeneration a little nudge in the right direction with some hydrating and nurturing skincare. Eye cream is a #1 priority as the area around the moveable lid and under the eye is often in constant motion with Rapid Eye Movement (REM).
- Keep body temperature temperate: During snooze, your cortisol levels drop and your body temperature cleverly levels itself out. Even though winter calls for it, don’t overheat your body in layers of flannel, fluffy socks, hot water bottles or heated blankets. Opt for a cooled cup of chamomile to warm the cockles, and cuddle up to something – or someone – for extra warmth!
- Supplement your sleep: Like the opposite of your morning coffee, but healthier, a blend of sleep-encouraging nutrients and herbal extracts – like chamomile, hops, valerian and magnesium – can further encourage a more restorative sleep pattern. Try Qsilica Skin Regeneration Beauty Sleep which couples all of the above with grape seed and pine bark extracts to support the natural skin regeneration process that occurs during sleep, and silica to promote healthy skin, hair and nails.
- Tune out before you turn in: Turn off your Wi-Fi so you are not tempted to check in on emails, and leave your phone in the kitchen to avoid reminders interrupting your shut-eye. If you need some relaxing tunes, do like Miranda Kerr and have them piping in from another room. She uses an app called Sleep Cycle, which plays ocean wave sounds amidst silent prayers.
- Don’t Underestimate 9 Hours: Its not enough to get a ‘few hours’ sleep as every hour of sleep has different health and beauty benefits. The first three hours are when the cells that revive the body, skin and hair repair themselves, the middle two hours herald REM, melatonin and health boosting antioxidants and the dawn hours is when the body temperature really takes a dive and muscles are at their most relaxed.
- Perfect Your pillow choice: Pillows are not forever friends. You really need to recycle them every year or so. Some clever brands actually have a ‘use-by’ date on them, so adhere to this to ensure hygienic and healthy sleeping. If you are a side-sleeper, go for a slightly fuller style than if you sleep on your back – and don’t require as much elevation in the neck. As for pillowslips, many dermatologists agree silk is the best option as it can work with the complexion to ease congestion, encourage air flow and prevent the loss of moisture from the skin.
- Skin deep: A hydrating night cream that supports the skin will help you wake up to a more radiant and rejuvenated reflection in the mirror. Compliment your supplements with Qsilica’s Skin Regeneration Beauty Sleep Night Cream — a nourishing cream with actives that work overnight to improve smoothness and hydration levels.
- Force fatigue: In bed but still hyped from the days board meeting or reeling at the To-Do list for the kids tomorrow? Then yawn it all off! By mimicking a yawning action all types of positive, relaxing and tension relieving hormones are set off in the brain, sending the message to the entire body that it’s time to switch off.
- Go flat out: If you can train yourself to sleep on your back, you should. It is the best position to prevent neck and back pain as well as promoting drainage from the head (goodbye puffy eyes and face-plant wrinkles).
Qsilica Skin Regeneration Beauty Sleep (RRP$24.95, 30 tablets) and Qsilica Skin Regeneration Beauty Sleep Night Cream (RRP $29.95, 52ml) are available from leading Pharmacies, natural health stores, and Priceline stores or online at www.qsilica.com.au
