Monday, August 30, 2010

5 Best Tips for Beauty Sleep

   Sleep is an essential part of our lives. We need it to function at work and school, to have energy and cellular repair, we need it for mood control, and mostly importantly to keep those dark under eye circles away! Here are five great tips to get the perfect beauty rest.
#1 Melatonin by NOW
Melatonin is great for resetting circadian rhythms (sleep patterns).  This is a brand that my husband uses that has the highest absorbtion rate and is also rated as one of the best brands to buy for quality. I did some research at Apple Nutrition here in Madison and this brand is about $19.99 for 80 capsules. They are chewable and also come in time-released caplets but those are a little more pricey. Always ask the attendant for the brands they recommend and what brands they have tried and have had the best experience with. Don't forget to consult your doctor as well if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and don't forget to look for the FDA approved label on all vitamins.
#2 Bath and Body Works Stress Relief Room Spray
This is just one of many stress relief room sprays that Bath and Body Works has. They have a Sleep line that specializes in aeromatherapy. This particular spray has eucalyptus and mint fragrance which is very relaxing. However it can be a little strong for someone who's not exactly a mint-lover so only one spritz is perfectly sufficient for beautysleep.

#3 Unplug At Least One Hour Before Bedtime.
This is really essential for students. I remember staying up really late during my highschool years playing video games and watching The Real World on MTV. Now I spend it watching Netflix and working on my beauty biz. I do try to shut off my electronics by ten o'clock at the latest but I have the luxury of sleeping in.  If you don't have that luxury and you need to be up and Adam by a certain time, then please try this. When we stare at screens for long periods of time, it makes our brains fatigue (literaly) trying to catch up everything we process through out the day. Just think about all of the things we see all day long. That's a lot of visual intake!  So turning off electronics at least an hour before bed gives our brains enough time to process, wind down, and get ready for sleep. Dreams are also associated with the brains way to store memories (some food for thought). lol

#4 Drink A Glass of Water Before Bed
Ideally, you should be drinking 8 glasses of water a day (see my clear skin blog) but just incase you missed a glass, this is a perfect time to get caught up. Drinking a glass of water (or even a few sips) keeps us hydrated through the night and keeps our mouths moist, thus reducing sleep intruptions due to thurst. *Don't drink too much or your sleep will be interupted by a full bladder. Drinking water also keeps headaches away as well.

#5 Read A Book Before Bed
*Yes, they put the series out of order in this pic, this was not my doing*
Reading is a great way to get sleepy! I'm not saying read a boring book before bed. Read something interesting! This is great mental exhaustion for our bodies, a natural way to fall asleep. How many times have you fallen asleep in a waiting room reading a magazine or on an airplane or bus reading a book? Yes, the white noise does also help, which brings me to my last point.  *White noise can be a Godsend for those who struggle to stay asleep during the night. It is especially helpful for children who are restless and don't want to settle down for bed. What can be used for white noise? Put a radio in your child's bedroom, somewhere out of reach if they are little, and turn it to a staticky station with the volume down low enough that they can hear it but not enough to drive you crazy. Let them fuss in there cribs until they pass out.  This will also help you get your beauty sleep.

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