— Can lack of sleep ruin your skin?

ou probably won’t be shocked when I tell you that, in reality, most of us just don’t get enough shut-eye. Lack of sleep is a worldwide issue that really isn’t taken seriously enough. You might think that a sleepless night will only have short-term side effects like grogginess or lack of concentration. But, as it turns out, the effects on the brain and body can be much worse.

Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can have detrimental long-term effects on your skin and overall health. So, let’s dive into how a lack of sleep harms your skin, some natural sleep aids, and some natural skincare home remedies.

What is sleep deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is caused by not getting the proper amount of high-quality sleep each night. In reality, a lot of people aren’t getting the sleep that they need to perform at their best. For a healthy adult, the recommended amount of sleep is somewhere between 7 and 9 hours.

If you aren’t sure if you’re getting enough sleep, look for the tell-tale signs. In terms of your skin, you’ll know if you have a lack of sleep if you have dark under eye bags, redness in the face, or any puffiness. Other signs of sleep deprivation are moodiness, a change in appetite, or simply feeling weak or drowsy.

But when does lack of sleep (deprivation) turn into insomnia?

Sleep deprivation is not a defined illness or condition that you can be diagnosed with. On the other hand, insomnia is a serious sleep disorder that can take a serious toll on the lives it affects. Typically, you don’t choose to have insomnia, as it is something you cannot control.

So, here’s the difference. With sleep deprivation, you are prioritizing other things and putting your sleep on the backburner. When insomnia, you physically cannot fall asleep, have good-quality sleep, or sleep for long periods of time.

Why you need your beauty sleep

Lack of sleep can have some serious, and maybe even surprising side effects. The length of high-quality sleep that we get directly correlates to our skin health.

• One of the main things that will happen to your skin when you don’t get enough sleep is it will become very dry. This is because when you’re sleeping, your body is nourishing and providing moisture to your skin. When you don’t get enough sleep, the pH levels in your skin drop and your skin dries out.
• A lack of sleep can also cause signs of aging in your skin – yikes! Since you aren’t getting enough moisture, wrinkles can begin to develop. Also, your body will produce less collagen. Collagen is what produces the elasticity in your skin making your face look smooth and young.
• Another way that sleep deprivation can do damage to your skin is by darkening your under eyes. Dark circles are a common sign of sleep deprivation. But, the dark circles under your eyes can become chronic if the sleep deprivation is severe enough!
• Lastly, a lack of sleep can unbalance the water levels in your skin. This results in your face looking and feeling very puffy which is no good!

How lack of sleep harms your health and well-being

The effects of sleep deprivation don’t only present themselves in your skin, but they can do some serious damage to your overall health too! Here are some of the ways a lack of sleep can impact your health.

• Sleep deprivation can put you at risk for several diseases. Studies have proven that a lack of sleep makes your blood pressure higher. This can lead to heart disease which is the leading cause of death worldwide! Lack of sleep can put you at risk for diabetes as well.
• When you experience sleep deprivation, your memory and focus are both highly impaired – maybe even more than you think! Because of this, things like driving after a sleepless night can be highly dangerous. Some studies have even shown that drowsy driving is similar to drunk driving!
• Finally, a lack of sleep may cause weight gain. When you don’t get enough sleep, the hunger hormones in your body are elevated. This can lead to overeating and, eventually a few pesky extra kilos!

Natural sleep aids for lack of sleep

Thankfully, if you are experiencing sleep deprivation, there are some things you can do. Let’s talk about some all-natural methods for inducing sleep.

• One of the most common sleep aids out there is melatonin. Even though melatonin is in the form of a pill, it is an all-natural supplement. Melatonin is a chemical already made in your brain, so it is completely healthy to take. However, don’t make a habit of taking it too often. It is possible that if you take it too much, your body won’t respond to it as effectively.
• Lavender is another natural sleep-aid. For best results, use lavender essential oil in an oil diffuser when winding down for bed. This is a form of aromatherapy that is proven to be highly effective when used properly. Lavender makes you feel calmer and have a deeper, higher-quality sleep.
• Meditation and yoga help relax the muscles in your body, so it has shown to help you sleep as well. This is another way to fall into a deeper sleep so that you don’t wake up throughout the night.
• The last natural sleep aid that I want to talk about is magnesium. Magnesium helps activate certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for sleep and relaxation. You can either take magnesium supplements or eat magnesium-rich foods to accomplish this.

Home remedies for repairing skin health and lack of sleep

If you are a victim of sleep deprivation and your skin is struggling, don’t stress – I’m here to help! Here are some natural home remedies for repairing skin health due to sleeplessness.

• Exfoliation is one of the best ways to renew the skin, and it basically just means you’re removing the layer of dead skin cells that are sitting on top of your skin. You can do this by using a facial scrub or a face mask. A natural mask recipe is simply combining oats and honey for a calming experience that results in a natural glow. You can also create an olive oil and sugar scrub and gently exfoliate the top layer of your skin!

• Next, let’s talk about coconut oil. Coconut oil is everywhere, and people claim it fixes anything! But, it’s actually a great moisturizer for your skin. Since lack of sleep causes dry skin, coconut oil will naturally hydrate your skin and even help prevent acne!
• The last natural home remedy for skin health is aloe vera. The gel components in aloe vera help to refresh and soothe the skin. It’s also a great way to replenish your skin and give it the well-needed moisture it deserves!

Wrapping up with lack of sleep

Sleep deprivation is a serious topic that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It can have some serious effects on your skin and health. With these all-natural sleep aids, you should be able to have long, high-quality sleep in no time. And if your skin has already seen the effects of sleep deprivation, try the home remedies for skin health. Overall, make sure you’re getting the right amount of sleep – your skin will thank you later!

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