Why is beauty sleep so necessary? What is the exact link between ageing, weight gain and sleeping?
It’s fascinating that we spend one-third of our lives sleeping. It’s even more amazing that while we’re asleep, the body is hard at work.
Just like food, sleep is a staple in our lives. Waking up after a good night’s slumber is a rejuvenation that some equates to being reborn! Indeed the benefits are plenty but what actually happens when we’re asleep?
Beauty sleep: Seize the day
The human body is intriguing. Until today, discoveries are still being made about its capabilities and functions. During our waking hours, the body is at what is called the catabolic state. This is the period where we spend most of our energy going through our daily activities.
The more energy we burn, the more oxygen we use which explains the onset of lethargy at certain times in the day. When we sleep, the body enters the anabolic state where energy is conserved, and this when the body starts the real work.
Beauty sleep: Repair and recovery
During sleep, our adrenalin level drops and human growth hormones (HGH) are produced. This hormone is responsible for the growth and more importantly, maintenance and repair of muscles and bones.
Tissues in the body are also renewed at a faster rate during sleep.
Beauty sleep: Are you stressed? Sleep!
Sleeping reduces the level of cortisol, the stress hormone. High levels of cortisol in the body can accelerate ageing as an excess amount of the hormone can break down skin collagen. Chronic sleep loss can also lead to lacklustre skin, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes.
So help your hardworking body along. Get a healthy amount of sleep every night. What’s more interesting is that sleep apparently helps you to lose weight as well!
Beauty sleep: Sleeping the weight off
Although you’re doing nothing except sleeping, having a good sleeping habit can help you lose weight. It’s hard to believe but it’s true!
Sleep deprivation can wreck havoc on your body system, in particular, its ability to use insulin properly. A body that makes good use of insulin that is produced enables fat cells to remove fatty acids that are formed. But when you become insulin resistant, this excess hormone ends up storing fats in places like the liver and other body parts which eventually leads you to become fat and worse, contracting diseases such as diabetes.
Another interesting thing to note is that the lack of sleep causes you to be hungry more frequently. Apparently, the hormone leptin decreases with lesser sleep and this triggers a bigger appetite. The lack of sleep can also lead to a host of issues including grouchiness and lethargy.
Conclusion
The human body is indeed amazing. Ensure that you reciprocate your body’s hard work that it puts in the day by allowing it to do what it has to do by getting a good night’s sleep.
The use of these treatments/products is dependent on the clinical assessment and judgement of a medical professional. Please consult a medical doctor for an informed discussion on the use of this treatment/product.
