Sleep experts recommend that the average adult in the United States get about seven to nine hours of sleep a night. In our fast-paced world, it’s no wonder that many adults find themselves losing out on much of that sleep.

Many adults wonder if getting this much sleep is even necessary. What are the true benefits of meeting that seven-to-nine-hour quota?

One of the reasons that people love to cite is for beauty rest. The saying goes that one of the benefits of sleep is the ability to improve your appearance.

But, is beauty rest real? Is it worth it for you to make more time for your sleep?

Keep reading to find out.

What Is Beauty Rest?

Beauty rest is the idea that sleeping makes us look better. In turn, it also says that not getting enough sleep can negatively affect our appearance.

It sounds like a dream: the ability to control your looks by getting more sleep.

Luckily, that dream is true to an extent. While a night of sleep won’t turn you into society’s prettiest individual overnight, it can help with some of the most notorious problem areas people complain about.

Physical Benefits of Sleep

You’ve likely heard about the mental and emotional benefits of getting enough sleep. In fact, you might have experienced them in action when you’ve had a bad day and needed a quick nap.

However, the physical benefits of sleep are a little more nuanced. There are a few different physical changes that you may find when you sleep more.

Reduce Puffiness Around the Eyes

Puffy eyes are one of the most noticeable physical issues in the morning. Because people look into your eyes throughout the day, many people become self-conscious about morning puffiness.

However, getting enough sleep can help reduce puffiness around your eyes. This swelling comes from water retention around your eyeballs. By lowering your cortisol levels through de-stressing while sleeping, you can alter your body’s salt balance.

Hence, you’ll reduce water retention. In turn, you’ll have less puffiness to deal with.

Another great trick to keep in mind while you’re sleeping is to use an extra pillow. If you lie flat, water in your body is going to collect around your eyes naturally.

However, by raising your head with an extra pillow, you can help this water drain elsewhere.

Glowing Skin and Repaired Damage

You might have heard that sleep helps our bodies heal. However, it’s much more intricate than this blanket statement.

Your body is rejuvenating every inch of itself while you’re sleeping. This includes skin repair and cell growth.

While you’re sleeping, your body is working on healing itself from damage that you might have taken in during the day. For example, it can help heal you from damage from UV rays and pollution.

By choosing and using great skincare products at night, you can take advantage of this healing time. The better your skincare is along with your sleep routine, the better your results will be.

Youthful Appearance and Reduced Wrinkling

One of the best and most obvious benefits of sleep is a more youthful appearance. In fact, some say that your skin’s clock goes backward while you’re sleeping.

To take advantage of the work that your skin does, you should try sleeping on your back. By doing so, you’ll be able to use gravity to help pull your skin back. If you sleep on your stomach or your side, your skin will crease overnight.

Skin Product Usage

Everyone should have a skincare routine before they go to bed. Once you’ve made the best skincare routine for you, it’s time to let those skincare products work overnight. The longer you sleep, the more that your skin products can work.

As you’re sleeping, your body is working on repairing the deepest layers of your skin. This means that damage that has seeped to the deepest layers of your skin can be repaired. 

While your body repairs your skin, it is also generating new collagen. This helps your skin stay firm and smooth.

Healthier, Stronger Hair

While it isn’t related to your skin, your hair health is a common concern. If you’re looking to maximize your hair health, beauty sleep is your best friend.

Sleep helps your hair synthesize proteins. It also helps your body regulate its hormones, which helps your hair grow faster and appear healthier.

Effects of Lack of Sleep

If you’re one of the many people that don’t get enough sleep, it’s likely noticeable. In fact, you might hear the phrase “you look tired” all of the time.

No one likes hearing that, especially when you had a rough night or aren’t feeling well.

Nonetheless, a lack of sleep is indeed physically noticeable. Dark circles accumulate under our eyes, and our skin dulls out.

You may also experience breakouts, increased wringing, and dry skin. While looks aren’t everything, these are signs that your skin is crying out for help.

This is one of the many reasons why you need to get enough sleep. If you have insomnia, you need to think about investing in these awesome sleep vitamins.

You’ll notice the differences in your skin and hair as you sleep more and more. So, make sure that you’re taking the time to sleep every single night, even if you have a busy schedule.

Get That Beauty Rest

Now that you’re educated about beauty rest and all of the physical benefits of sleep, we’re sure that you’re ready to add some more time to your sleep schedule. Make sure that you’re getting the seven to nine hours that experts recommend for the average adult.

In the meantime, work on creating a nighttime skincare routine that will help your skin take advantage of the time that you’re sleeping. The better your skincare routine, the better your results.

For more information like this, check out the rest of our website. From beauty to health, we have what you need.