Beauty Sleep

Sleeping Problems

Broken sleep? Tired and incompetent? Fat and haggard? Are you sharing a bed with your lover? Bed sharing is not good for us – we are told by Dr Neil Stanley in an address to the British Science Festival. While women are thought to be better able to put up with disturbed sleep, [Nature’s gift to motherhood], men suffer stress and loss of brain function – though this is restored by having sex [no surprises there].

He Just Wants To Go To Sleep

The “marital bed” should be for sex and not for sleep according to Dr Stanley [this was the secret of relationship success in ancient Rome apparently], who advises that after “a cuddle” one of us should “toddle off down the landing”. He probably means the woman, since men just want to go to sleep after “de-stressing and restoring brain function”!

Bags Under Eyes

Dr Stanley, who does sleep separately from his wife, reports that one study found that, on average, couples suffered 50% more sleep disturbances if they shared a bed. Notwithstanding this discovery only 8% of couples in the age group 40-60 sleep apart. Poor sleep has been linked to depression, heart disease, strokes, work & driving accidents, divorce, weight gain and premature aging. Skin Science Reporter’s interest was sparked by the reports that a lack of sleep results in dull, stressed skin, bags under the eyes and accelerated wrinkling – hence the title to this report “Beauty Sleep”.

Appetite Control

Without sufficient sleep brain function decreases, body temperature falls, immune function is reduced and growth is interrupted in the young. Science also reveals that most cells of the body show increased production and reduced breakdown of proteins during deep sleep. No wonder then that the arrival of a new baby in a household frequently leads to accelerated haggardness in the parents! And it may explain why some new mothers also put on weight: chronic sleep deprivation can cause weight gain by affecting the way the body processes and stores carbohydrates and by altering the hormones that control appetite. Not surprisingly a lack of sleep often results in a tendency to become irritated, impatient and moody – leading to tension, stressed facial muscles and deepened facial lines.

Snoring

But despite the abundant scientific support for Dr Stanley’s personal sleeping arrangements, the majority of married couples “toddle off” to the same bed every night to snore, hog the duvet, and fidget. Apparently we get used to each other and then we get to think that we sleep better when we are together – whatever the scientists tell us.

Dull Tired Looking Skin

We all feel better after a good night’s sleep and of course we look better too: mood and appearance are totally intertwined. However, the science is right – our bodies repair better and keep in better condition if we are properly rested. A healthy lifestyle and diet, coupled with avoidance of stress are important factors in sleeping well, with or without a bed partner. But if your skin is dull and tired looking, and generally suffering for a lack of “beauty sleep”, then try Yin Yang’s Rich Skin Food.  Skin rejuvenating carotol from the seeds of the Wild Carrot coupled with Zinc PCA to support the synthesis of healthy collagen and blemish repair, will help to restore the tone and bloom of your skin.