Sleep is imperative to achieving a healthy and functional lifestyle, but many of us aren’t getting enough of it. We may lie in bed all weekend on a Netflix binge and think we’re catching up on missed rest, but actual shut-eye is what we really crave, and it's what we’re depriving ourselves of.
According to a Reclaim Your Sleep survey, 46% of women say they have trouble sleeping, and only 14% of women say they feel rested when they wake up.
Sleep apnoea is a condition that is affecting more and more women, but many people who suffer may be undiagnosed. The symptoms of sleep apnoea include insomnia, depression, headaches, constant fatigue, weight gain and erratic snoring. If you think you may suffer with sleep apnoea you should speak to your doctor, because if left untreated it could result in more serious health issues further down the line.
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Sleep affects the way we look
According to a Reclaim Your Sleep study, people who continuously get less than 8 hours sleep a night are considered sleep-deprived, and look less healthy and less attractive.
Lack of sleep could also be one of the reasons why you are breaking out; sleep is linked to stress, which is a cause of acne, and acne causes more stress which then results in more difficulty sleeping - got it? Basically, sleep deprivation is catalyst to problem-skin, and upping your sleep each night is the key to a radiant complexion.
Skip buying that expensive miracle spot cream and get some good old-fashioned shut-eye. There’s a reason they called it beauty sleep, after all.
Note: change your bedding, especially your pillows, every 1-2 weeks as they fill up with dust and bacteria that can harm your skin and clog your pores.
Lack of sleep affects the way you feel
It’s no secret that a bad night's sleep means we wake up grumpy, but according to a study, prolonged sleep disturbance can cause depression and anxiety as well as other health problems that are more long-term.
Lack of sleep is linked to weight gain
Sleep-deprivation also directly correlates to weight gain, according to Longitudinal Study of Moderate Weight Change and Sleep-Disordered Breathing. It may be harder to lose weight if you're not getting enough sleep because your metabolism slows down and your hunger levels rise.
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Monitor your sleep
Apps like Sleep Cycle record your sleep with a microphone so that in the morning you can see exactly how many hours you were in bed for, as well as the quality of your sleep and at what time you were in your deepest slumber. It also wakes you up slowly over a half an hour period with calming music - much nicer than a rude and abrupt awakening.
Try meditating
You may think meditating is some new-agey nonsense, but you're wrong. It's a great way of connecting your mind and you body so that you can improve your sleep.
The Calm App is great for beginners of meditation. It teaches you the benefits of training your brain to quieten your frantic inner voice, and guides you through simple yet effective 10-minute breathing exercises that alter your perception of the world and help you stay present in the here and now.
Spritz your surroundings
Pillow sprays can also assist you if you find it difficult to drift off. Look for a spray with an essential oil like lavender in them, as it eases nerves and pain and helps you to find a state of calm.
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Try a herbal remedy
Herbal teas can help you wind down at the end of a long day and help to calm and soothe the body from within. Chamomile tea is popular because it does just that, and so does lemon balm tea.
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