A Nightly Dive Into A ‘Fountain of Youth’

Kirk Parsley, M.D.
May 23, 2021

Sleep Is A Nightly Dive Into A “Fountain of Youth.”

We’ve all been there and heard that. No matter how lovingly it is said, it’s never a compliment. Your eyes feel puffy and heavy- accompanied by dark circles with your skin feeling dry, blotchy, and not as bright. There is no doubt that sleep is a nightly dive into a fountain of youth.

Have you noticed how different you appear and feel after a night of poor sleep? The saying  “I need my beauty sleep,” is very real. In fact, sleep is a nightly dive into a ‘fountain of youth.’ Along with the array of health benefits we rave about when we get the quality and quantity of sleep we need, sleep plays a chief role in having a healthy, youthful appearance. Without realizing the science of sleep and beauty, it is something that is apparent through our physical appearance after a sleepless night. 

“A new survey by Sealy in the UK found that well-rested people  reported having brighter eyes (42 percent), a brighter complexion (21 percent), clearer skin (20 percent), fewer wrinkles (17 percent), and improved skin condition (11 percent).”

NOT SO FUN FACT-  Do you think there is a connection between the way you sleep and wrinkles?! Some believe it and others don’t.  

How it happens:  Sleeping on your side leaves one side of your face pressed into your pillow for several hours every night, which, over time, could cause wrinkles. When we are young and our skin is full of collagen and elasticity, this isn’t a noticeable issue. However, when we get older, it just might be something to consider. What do you think?!

 

Why does sleep make our skin look youthful?

A study in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that people who slept seven to nine hours a night had:

  • Moisturized Skin
  • Brighter Skin
  • Skin is able to protect and heal itself better after being exposed to ultraviolet light 
  • Rated higher self-esteem & Confidence

“Your skin goes through much of its restoration while you sleep. If you cut back on sleep you are reducing the amount of time the skin has to repair, which can affect the way you look.”

 Sleep is an overall regenerative process. The most powerful regenerative and healing takes place only during sleep. There is no cream or pill that can match the type of repair that can take place during deep sleep.

Collagen, the protein responsible for helping your skin keep its volume and elasticity, is produced as the skin cells regenerate. During sleep, there is more blood flow, which allows the optimal delivery of nutrients to take place, which allows the most effective recovery processes to take place. 

 

Poor sleep results in premature aging.

“The ability of the skin to retain moisture, protect and heal all combat the signs of aging.” 

Our face takes the brunt of sleep deprivation because it’s so vascular. There is a direct correlation between how fresh we appear and feel to the amount of sleep we are getting. That magic number of 8 quality sleep hours is dictating your health both internally and externally. If you are getting fewer than 6 hours of sleep every night, it is no doubt affecting your appearance. However, if you begin getting 1-3 more hours of sleep, it is possible to see improvements in your appearance within one day. That is how powerful sleep is

A major contributing hormone, growth hormone, plays a key role in maintaining muscle tone in our faces and the fullness of our skin.  Think of it as a healthy facelift for your entire body, including the face, breasts, and abdominals. Sleep also plays a critical role in our production of leptin and ghrelin, which are two key hormones that regulate appetite and weight gain. 

Dive into nature’s anti-inflammatory

Do you recall a time when you were told to “sleep it off” after a minor injury or fall? For example, after taking a hard fall and spraining your ankle, you slept for 8+ hours and woke up the next morning with reduced pain and swelling. You can thank the anti-inflammatory cytokines that were put into action while you were asleep. This helps heal and reduce the impact of damages done throughout the day. We are always on the search for a fountain of youth, when really it can be found nightly in our comfy beds.

Although inflammation is a vital protection process within the human body, if it is not regulated properly, it can cause extreme health issues. Adequate sleep is one of the most important guards against unhealthful inflammation that is associated with chronic diseases; such as cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders and more. 

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What triggers excessive, unhealthy, chronic inflammation? 

  • Poor diet
  • Environmental toxins
  • Stress. 

Poor sleep is a contributor to inflammation.

Sleep, immune function, and inflammation share a common regulator, known as our circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythms are the main drivers in hormonal and other physiological changes that allow us to move through the continuum of sleep and wakefulness throughout the day.  Our circadian rhythms are working behind the scenes to keep us on schedule. When circadian rhythms are out of sync, so is sleep.

Like a domino effect, circadian rhythms also regulate our immune systems, along with our levels of inflammation. It is all linked. When circadian rhythms are disrupted, so is everything else. Circadian rhythms also regulate our immune system, and with it, our levels of inflammation. Lack of sleep raises levels of inflammation in the body. 

There are several ways we can go about improving the amount and quality of sleep we are getting every night. The first step is becoming aware that we need at least 8 hours of sleep to feel and look our best. 

Sleep Remedy paired with an intentional bedtime routine is said to work wonders. Give it a try. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT SLEEP REMEDY

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