Health & Wellness SPECIAL SECTION
Sleep Your Way to a Healthier You
By now , you ’ ve most likely heard the news on the numerous benefits of sleep on overall health . From improving brain function to assisting in weight loss , getting the recommended hours of sleep fit for your age is essential to staying healthy . The message should be loud and clear to adults , who still fight sleep to watch late-night television or finish one more chapter of a good book . You may let children do the same : stay up to finish homework or to play a little while longer . You may think you are making your children happy with the extra time awake , but the effects are ultimately hurting their ability to fully function during the day .
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that children between the ages of 6 and 10 get 10-11 hours of sleep per night , while 11- to 17-year-olds should get 8.5 to 9.5 hours . A poll done by the foundation found that children were falling short and losing out on the benefits of a good night ’ s sleep . Research shows that less sleep leads to learning and behavior problems , directly affecting cognitive ability , concentration , and problem-solving skills .
Many families have seen the negative effects and often assume they are symptoms of ADHD , however the distracting behaviors might easily be reduced or even eliminated by an earlier bedtime .
Make Sleep Matter
• Set bedtimes and wake times . You can start to make sleep a higher priority for your kids by setting a good example and getting enough sleep yourself . Start by setting bedtimes and wake-up times that you can adhere to on both weekdays and weekends . Creating a pattern will help your body understand its sleep cycle , allowing for more restful nights .
• Create wind-down activities before bed . The half-hour before bed should be free of high-energy activities . Start a bedtime routine that includes calming activities like bath time or reading .
• Make a bed sanctuary . As adults , nothing is better than a comfortable place to sleep at night . Make your children ’ s beds the same for them . Add extra pillows for coziness and their favorite stuffed animal to keep them company at night . Keep lights down to a dim lamp or nightlight if needed for comfort while making the room dark enough for good sleep .
• Keep electronics out or off . Electronics produce a blue light that sends a signal to your brain to stop the release of melatonin , making it harder to fall asleep . On top of wanting to text with friends or check social media , children and teens will give any excuse to stay awake . Electronic devices are best left in the dark at bedtime .
Beauty at Any Age
Face the Benefits of Facials
Putting our best face forward often helps us feel confident to face the day . Facials reduce signs of aging , hydrate your skin , and increase collagen production , leading to healthy , glowing skin . There are facials for every skin type , with the most popular being hydrating , anti-aging , brightening , acupuncture , or you can stick with the classic that removes dirt , exfoliates your skin , and wipes away dead skin cells for a healthy glow that will have you feeling fantastic .
Definitely Add Dermaplaning
Looking for something to add on to your facial ? Try dermaplaning . Dermaplaning uses a medical-grade scalpel to remove the top layer of skin , including fine vellus hairs , which leaves you with a soft and radiant appearance . Dermaplaning helps reduce signs of aging , cleans pores , and helps minimize the appearance of acne scarring .
Enhance Your Eyebrows
Your eyebrows help shape your face , so help shape your eyebrows ! There are many different options available for brows of all shapes , colors , and sizes .
• Brow Lamination – Lifts your hair in a vertical direction , providing a fuller-looking arched shape that lasts for about six weeks .
• Microblading – This semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing uses hairlike strokes to give you fuller brows that last about a year .
• Tinting – Brow tinting dyes existing finer and lighter hairs that may not usually be seen , to enhance the look of your brows , and it typically lasts about 4 to 6 weeks .
• Henna – Similar to tinting , henna dyes eyebrow hairs , but also the skin underneath . Henna is a natural alternative to chemical dyes , and lasts slightly longer than tinting , about 6 to 8 weeks .
You Nailed It
Manicures and pedicures have long been the face of self-care , but there are benefits to a relaxing trip to the nail salon . Nail treatments can boost nail growth , prevent infections , increase blood circulation , and improve your overall mood .
Waxing Your Way to Smooth Skin
Waxing is a type of hair removal that pulls the hair out at the root , keeping hair off longer and growing back thinner than after shaving . Those with sensitive skin often see the benefits of waxing versus
Continued on page 25 >
SEWICKLEY ❘ WINTER 2022 23