Most of us have grown up hearing the old adage, "Get your beauty sleep." We may not have paid much attention in our youth but once we hit our forties, most of us begin to see the effects of inadequate sleep in the mirror. As Dolly Parton's character Truvy in "Steel Magnolias"
said, "Time marches on and sooner or later you realize it's marchin' across your face!" Lack of adequate sleep prevents the skin from regenerating itself. Skin can become dry, lose elasticity, sag and wrinkle. "Beauty sleep" isn't just a figure of speech - it's based on fact.Sleep? I don't have time!
In our current society, it's fashionable to look busy. Laptops, cell phones and PDA's have become status symbols associated with success. Most women have the typical two jobs - one outside the home and the job of managing a home and family. Many have become brave enough to attempt three - using their creativity in a hobby or craft whether it earns an income or not. We are becoming more aware that inner satisfaction is critical to survival of the soul in an out of control world. Unfortunately, we are still guilty of neglecting our physical needs even while we try to focus on nurturing our spirits. Cosmetic manufacturers are competing to meet our drive to fight the aging process with one expensive, ineffective product after another. "Scientific advances" aside, no cosmetic, regardless of price or quality, will make a real difference when we are exhausted, stressed and undernourished.
Restful, healing sleep is the best beauty treatment available - and it doesn't cost a cent. Lack of sufficient sleep affects not only your looks - it can impair all of your body systems and can even be detrimental to your mental and emotional state. Sleep deprivation can cause nightmares, weird dreams and even hallucinations. Some studies state that lack of rest can contribute to depression and exacerbate other mental illnesses. Next time you go charging into your day on three or four hours' sleep, take an honest look at your behavior. It's highly likely that you were irritable or made mistakes.
The recommended standard of eight hours' sleep hasn't changed over the years. In order for the body and mind to regenerate, it's important for the brain to achieve delta sleep, a generally dreamless state of unconsciousness. Lack of restful sleep can affect all of the body's systems as well as the mind and emotions.
Your Prescription For Beauty Sleep
- Examine your diet during the day. Drinking coffee, tea, caffeinated beverages and even some chocolate candies in the afternoon may be keeping you up at night. Try limiting your intake of these or establish a cut-off time that works for you.
- Review your activities at home. Do you sit down at the computer and lose track of time surfing the web or working? Establish a structured time schedule for internet work and play and stick to it. Set a timer or alarm if necessary. Do you stay up too late watching television shows? Learn how to program your VCR and tape the programs that come on too late. Do you pay bills or do research for your work? Do you run around doing housework or laundry all evening? If you absolutely must do these tasks, do them earlier in the evening and give yourself time to wind down. Work can stimulate your mind and keep you awake.
- Establish an evening routine. Mild exercise or a relaxed walk after work can help you wind down. If you have a dog, walk him or her! This is good for your pet and will create quality time. If you have other pets, set aside a small block of time to play with them. Studies have shown that loving interaction with our pets can be very healing.
- As stated above, structure your routine so that you don't engage in mind or worry stimulating activities close to bedtime. Wash your face, take a warm bath, drink a soothing cup of herbal tea, stretch, meditate or listen to relaxing music
- Beware of reading or watching television. Reading material for work can stimulate your mind. Stick to novels, magazines or inspirational materials. Avoid watching the news or upsetting documentaries that can provoke anxiety.
- Try Aromatherapy. A few drops of lavender or clary sage in your bath can help, or use a pillow spray or diffuser in the bedroom.
- Enlist the help of vitamins, minerals and natural supplements. For some folks, 600 to 1,000 mg. of calcium can work wonders.
- Herbal supplements such as Valerian Root can help. Valerian is one of the main ingredients in the new supplement Nytex. I have had fibromyalgia-related sleep problems for years, and this is the first supplement I've tried that worked the first time and works every time. One capsule thirty minutes before bed enables me to fall asleep quickly and wake up feeling rested and most importantly, awake.
Read a review of the product here:
Remember, you can't take care of anyone or anything else unless you take good care of you! May the only lines in your mirror be laugh lines and may all your dreams come true!
Parthena Black is a professional social worker and ordained minister with experience in tarot and runes. For private spiritual counseling and intuitive readings via e-mail, please visit her at oymygoddess.com.
