- Getting a good night's sleep is essential for your overall health.
- According to Dr Unnati Desai, sleep also impacts how we look daily.
- Increased growth hormones and decreased cortisol levels are just some benefits of a good night's rest.
According to Dr Unnati Desai, UK GP lead at Nuffield Health with a special interest in dermatology; there is evidence that getting enough sleep - combined with other factors - impacts how we look each day.
Here's how:
Sleep supports holistic health
Our quality of sleep impacts our overall well-being, including our physical, mental and cognitive health. It's crucial to prioritise getting uninterrupted, quality sleep on a daily basis to reap the most health benefits.
Sleep encourages growth hormone production
We tend to sleep in five-stage cycles, which recur throughout the night. During stages three and four, known as deep sleep, there's a surge in the secretion of growth hormones. Growth hormones assist with the repair and regeneration of cells.
READ MORE | Getting enough sleep could add years to your life - study
Lack of sleep increases cortisol levels
During sleep, we see a decrease in cortisol, the stress-related hormone in the body. A lack of sleep does the opposite. This, in turn, can have a negative impact on skin and hair and can be the cause of some of the most recognised skin symptoms from sleep deprivation.
Implement a night-time routine
Cleansing your face before bed will remove any pollutants that your skin comes into contact with throughout the day.