insideKENT Magazine Issue 96 - March 2020 | Page 94

HEALTH+WELLNESS
YEAR OF SLEEP CONT.
The benefits of a good night’s sleep
Sleep is hugely beneficial to our health, and according
to sleep expert Jen Nurick of Bed Threads, there are
eight key reasons why sleep is so good for us:
1. Sleep strengthens memory – consolidation,
a process that takes place throughout the night,
means your brain works double time to practice and
learn memory skills while you sleep.
2. Sleep promotes healthy eating – sleep and
metabolism are intrinsically linked. When you are
tired, the hormone that increases your appetite
becomes more active, so it’s no wonder you are likely
to eat more badly when tired.
3. Sleep helps your live longer – research shows
that people who sleep more, are less likely to run
into health problems in later life – which can lead
to a longer life.
4. Sleep improves concentration – sleep
deprivation impairs cognition, exacerbates
concentration, and shortens attention span.
5. Sleep fortifies your immune system – when
you are run down it is often because you haven’t
been getting enough sleep. Sleep produces protein
molecules that aid us in the fight against infections
and colds.
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6. Sleep improves mood – countless studies have
shown the link between sleeplessness and depression.
Improved sleep patterns can alleviate symptoms of
mental ill health.
7. Sleep improves your life quality – when you
sleep well you interact better, are more productive,
and just generally perform better.
8. Sleep reduces inflammation – sleep helps to
restore, combat and curb inflammation of the body
– which is directly related to heart disease, diabetes
and premature ageing.
Beauty sleep, is something that Canterbury’s
Zoe Bee, from Zoe Bee Beauty (zoebeebeauty.co.uk),
agrees with. “In this busy world we live in, it's become
such a popular trend to do a lot and sleep a little.
Most of us have at some point bragged about
only getting 2 or 4 hours' sleep the night before”
says Zoe.
“Somehow having little or no sleep has become
something to be proud of. We all know that not
enough sleep can lead to puffy eyes with dark circles,
but sleep deprivation is actually also linked to paler
skin, more wrinkles and fine lines. Sometimes it's
not that easy to get your 8 hours in either. With
insomnia, nightmares, emotional or physical
exhaustion, looking refreshed after a bad night is
easier said than done. I created the Amethyst Quartz
Cream with this in mind.”
“The lavender in the cream is a well-known sleep
aid, helping slow the heartbeat, relax the muscles
and helping you drift into deeper sleep, giving the
powerful combination of shea and oils time to repair
the skin from the beating it takes throughout the
day. The Charged Amethyst Quartz Crystal is also
associated with sound sleeping, along with promoting
calm, balance, peace and eliminating impatience.
Together they form a powerful night cream that
keeps the skin soft and supple, removes blemishes
and helps with better sleep.”
So let’s make 2020 the year of sleep and tackle
the growing sleep problem. Whichever method
you choose that works for you, here’s wishing you
sweet dreams!