Sleep better and look better too!
Are you tired of waking up looking drained? Have you gone through too much cover-up trying to get rid of those dreadful dark circles? One of my biggest pet peeves is being told I look tired, especially when I know I got a good night’s sleep – so I came up with 3 super sleep-smart beauty rest tips.
1. Eliminate dark circles under your eyes
What causes those noticeable marks below your eyes? There are many explanations as to why these dark circles appear: lack of sleep, dehydration and medical conditions. So instead of caking on the cover-up, I’ve created a list of home remedies to banish those shadows.
- Tea Bags – Cool 2 black tea bags in the fridge and place over each eye for about 15 minutes to reduce swelling.
- Spoons – Cool 2 tablespoons in the fridge, place the back of each spoon under each eye to reduce any unwanted puffiness.
- Cucumbers – Ever wonder why spas keep cucumbers around? It’s because they reduce swelling and help with skin discoloration. Cut thick slices of cold cucumbers and lay them over closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes up to three times per day. Read More : Mother Nature Network
2. Clean your sleep routine
After a busy day when all you want to do is curl up in bed and drift off to dreamland, the last thing on your mind is sleep hygiene. Who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of freshly clean sheets? Your skin does too! But sleep hygiene doesn’t always mean you have to do laundry before bed, take a look at how you fall asleep.
- Fresh Sheets – You can’t see it but your pillowcase can hold in dirt and oils produced while you sleep and these can cause breakouts. Remember to wash your pillowcase regularly at least once a week to keep your face fresh.
- Wash up – Before laying your head on your pillow, wash your face. Day to day activities soil our faces, causing dirt and oils to hide in our pores. The best thing to do is find a face wash that’s gentle on your skin but keeps it moisturized too.
- Turn it off – The television might be your go to sleep aid or looking at your phone to tire your eyes out. But that bright electronic light can keep you awake longer and make it harder to fall asleep. By turning it all off, you’re allowing your brain to slowly shut down and rest easier. Try reading a book instead. Read More : US News
3. Extend your sleep
Are you constantly waking up tired? Have you noticed that you can’t make it through the day without those 3 cups of coffee? I’ve had plenty moments where laying my head down at my desk was all I could think about. It made me wonder why I was always feeling drained and exhausted. I looked at my daily activities along with my sleep routine and figured I could change a few things.
- Cut down on the coffee–Try to drink less coffee. It is not necessary to overload your body with caffeine. Try drinking one cup and only in the morning, it takes about 6 hours for one half of the caffeine to be eliminated completely from your system.
- Exercise more – Studies have shown that getting at least 150 minutes or 2.5 hours of exercise in a week can drastically improve your sleep. Working out is not only good for your health but will exhaust your muscles and body to a point that will make falling asleep easier. Read More : Sleepfoundation.org
- Aim for extra hours of sleep – It can be hard getting enough sleep when there’s so many distractions and must-do’s. The average person needs 7-9 hours of sleep a night, depending on your age. Try optimizing your sleep habits or at least learning some sleep hacks to get you through the days when you don’t get enough sleep.
The next time someone tells you that you look great, tell them it’s because you’ve invested in getting your beauty rest. There’s no better – or cheaper – beauty treatment than sleep.
