Why Is It Called Beauty Sleep?

Everyone knows that sleep is good for us. It helps our brains function properly, improves our mood, and keeps our bodies healthy. When we get sick, one of the first things medical professionals tell us is to get plenty of sleep. But where does the concept of beauty sleep fit into the discussion? After all, the term is often used in a cheeky or silly context and usually isn’t taken very seriously. As it turns out, sleep’s impact on the way we look has been well documented and researched. Beauty sleep is no mere cliché—it’s a real phenomenon.

Let’s explore some of the many ways that sleep can help us look great and feel confident.

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It Prevents Inflammation

A puffy face—most often visible around the eyes—is one of the most common signs of poor sleep. This is because insufficient sleep causes increased production of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol causes us to retain water, which creates that puffy appearance we know too well.

The best remedy to inflammation is getting plenty of sleep every night. If that’s not possible, try using a cold compress on your eyes or sleeping with your head slightly elevated. This should reduce any inflammation and help you face your day with confidence.

It Keeps You Looking Young

The impact of collagen is a hot topic in the beauty industry. This protein helps keep our skin from developing wrinkles, but in order to produce it we need quality sleep. Over-the-counter serums like retinol can help smooth out creases and wrinkles, but many of them contain harsh chemicals. Getting plenty of deep sleep is a great way to make your skin age slower naturally.

Beauty sleep also refers to the morning glow you have after a restful night. Sleep improves blood flow, which makes your complexion appear healthy for the day ahead.

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It Keeps Your Metabolism in Check

Everyone has a goal for their weight. If you’re looking for ways to achieve yours, it’s important to consider strategies outside of what you eat and how much you exercise. One study showed that sleep can help regulate metabolism, which plays a key role in weight management.

If you have a hard time sleeping at night, try avoiding foods that are high in fat in the hours before you go to bed. When sleep deprived, our bodies produce ghrelin—a hormone that makes us store fat. By cutting out snacks with high fat content, your likelihood of storing fat overnight decreases.

It Decreases the Likelihood of Breakouts

Have you ever noticed pimples start to appear after a hard work week? The same thing tends to happen when we sleep poorly.

As we’ve already mentioned, quality sleep reduces the amount of cortisol our bodies produce. Cortisol levels and acne breakouts are closely connected, so poor sleep makes it a lot more likely that you’ll wake up with blemishes. To wake up with clear skin, it’s critical that we make sure we’re getting enough sleep.

Hopefully, the benefits above have proven that beauty sleep is no myth. If you’re looking to get more of it, remember to regularly reassess your nighttime routine and make necessary improvements. For some inspiration as you get started, check out the visual below, courtesy of Tommy John.