Beauty Sleep

Beauty Sleep
The health and beauty of a nice night's sleep

by Cathy Gatson
Sleeping is a necessity, not a luxury. A nice night's sleep is simply as crucial to maintaining health as is a healthy diet and proper exercise.

The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is a restorative process.  Piece we're sleeping, our brain is sport through the 3 stages of sleep: light, deep and REM. Sleep restores, rejuvenates and energizes the body and brain.  Our immune systems are recharged, cells grow and repair themselves, and our bodies conserve energy.

Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
Unfortunately, to galore sleep is not valued. In this "open all night" society we now live in, four out of ten Americans are commerce much-needed sleep hours for longer hours at the office, gym, club and another activities which seem more important or interesting. What they may not realize is that lack of sleep takes a toll on our mental and physical well being.  Studies performed by the National Sleep Foundation show that even as borderline sleep loss has a deeply damaging impact on mood, cognition, performance, productivity, communication skills, accident rates and general health.  For optimum functioning throughout the day, the average adult inevitably between seven to nine hours sleep a night.  According to the NSF, the American adult population functions on simply about six and a half hours of sleep per night.

Don't Sleep?
For some, lack of sleep is not a choice, but a condition. Millions of Americans suffer from insomnia.  According to the NSF, a third of Americans are exploitation over the counter or prescription sleep aids at night.  If you suffer from insomnia, here are a few tips to help you get several shut eye:
· Pray before bedtime. The bible tells us to "Cast your burden upon the Lord. Don't go to bed with a heavy load. Give it to God. Remember Joy comes in the morning"
· Avoid caffeinated food and beverages like coffee, teas, soft drinks and chocolate 3 to 4 hours before bedtime.
· Exercise regularly, but complete your exercise at least three hours before bedtime. Support your body calm.
· Make sure your pad is the right one for you. Flip your pad over periodically.
· Develop a hour ritual. Taking a warm bath 90 minutes before hour wish relax your body and normally do you feel sleepy.
· Make sure your sleeping room is quiet and comfortable.
· Have a cup of warm milk.
· Play relaxing music.
· Go to bed and wake up the same time every day. Once your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm you wish feel better.

Be a Sleeping Beauty
A friend of mine once told me that a woman should present herself to her husband at hour like a present. Interesting…so I polled a few colleagues and found overall most husbands prefer their wives to be intimate apparel clad at bedtime. Nude came in a really close second and pajamas were considered really un-sexy. Wives preferred their hubbys wear only boxers to bed. Any your sleepwear preference, hour is the chance to prepare your mind and body for the rest it deserves. Here are a few more tips to help you sleep pretty:
· Always move out your makeup and cleanse your face thoroughly before bed (Oil of Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin). Going to bed without washing your face not only leads to mascara-stained sheets (Andrea Eye Q's eye makeup remover pads $3.50+ voted better by Allure Magazines 1999) but the dirt picked up during the day can clog pores and lead to acne.
· Brush and floss your teeth.
· Vaseline works wonders on rough spots piece you sleep. Try it on feet, elbows, and knees and dab a little on your lips too.
· There are several night creams on the market now claiming to be more effective if applied at bedtime, here are a few to try: Lancome - Primoridale Intense Night Cream $41.50, Murad Perfecting Night Cream $41.50. If these prices are more than you normally spend then L'Oreal Age Perfect Night Cream and Oil of Olay ProVital night creams are accessible at Wal-Mart and Target. Prices range from $14 - $15.
· If you wrap your hair in a scarf at bedtime, remember to wash it regularly.
· Wear your fancy nighties to bed. Don't save them for a special occasion. You are a special occasion.
· After your bath or shower ritual spread on a lotion that relaxes you and helps you fall asleep like Origins Night-a-mins wet lotion or Calm to Your Senses Body Souflee.
· Marilyn Monroe is aforesaid to only have worn Chanel No.5 to bed but if you prefer thing a little lighter then Issey Miyake's L'Eau D'Issey Soothing Night Fragrance is a nice pick.

Here's wish you brighter days and more relaxing nights!

Cathy Gatson is a freelance writer and owner/operator of a hair and body salon placed in Northern California.

Reprinted from: http://www.ezinearticles.com