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Beauty Sleep

3 Surefire Ways To Cure Insomnia While Sleeping Less!

Seems like you never get enough rest even after sleeping long hours' You would know part of the reasons for this fatigue, as you suffer from insomnia. But .....

Beauty Sleep
The health and beauty of a good night's sleep

by Cathy Gatson
Sleeping is a necessity, not a luxury. A goodnight's sleep is just as crucial to maintaining wellness as is ahealthy diet and proper exercise.

The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is a restorative process.  Whilewe're sleeping, our brain is cycling through the 3 stages of sleep:light, deep and REM. Sleep restores, rejuvenates and energizes the bodyand brain.  Our immune systems are recharged, cells grow and repairthemselves, and our bodies conserve energy.

Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
Unfortunately, to many sleep is notvalued. In this "open all night" society we now live in, four out often Americans are trading much-needed sleep hours for longer hours atthe office, gym, club and other activities which seem more important orinteresting. What they may not realize is that lack of sleep takes atoll on our mental and physical well being.  Studies performed by theNational Sleep Foundation show that even minimal sleep loss has aprofoundly detrimental impact on mood, cognition, performance,productivity, communication skills, accident rates and general health. 

For optimal functioning throughout the day, the average adult needsbetween seven to nine hours sleep a night.  According to the NSF, theAmerican adult population functions on about six and a half hours ofsleep per night.

Insomnia/Fatigue

Insomnia and fatigue are two sides of the same coin: if a person is unable to sleep at night, they are usually fatigued during the day. However, some people get eight to 12 hours of sleep a night and still have .....

Don't Sleep'
For some, lack of sleep is not a choice, but a condition. Millions of Americans suffer from insomnia.  According tothe NSF, a third of Americans are using over the counter orprescription sleep aids at night.  If you suffer from insomnia, hereare a few tips to help you get some shut eye:

' Pray before bedtime.The bible tells us to "Cast your burden upon the Lord. Don't go to bedwith a heavy load. Give it to God. Remember Joy comes in the morning"
' Avoid caffeinated food and beverages like coffee, teas, soft drinks and chocolate 3 to 4 hours before bedtime.
' Exercise regularly, but complete your workout at least three hours before bedtime. Keep your body calm.
' Make sure your mattress is the right one for you. Flip your mattress over periodically.
' Developa bedtime ritual. Taking a warm bath 90 minutes before bedtime willrelax your body and usually make you feel sleepy.
' Make sure your bedroom is quiet and comfortable.
' Have a cup of warm milk.
' Play relaxing music.
' Go to bed and wake up the same time every day. When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm you will feel better.

Be a Sleeping Beauty
A friend of mine once told me that a womanshould present herself to her husband at bedtime like a present.Interesting'so I polled a few colleagues and found overall mosthusbands prefer their wives to be lingerie clad at bedtime. Nude camein a very close second and pajamas were considered very un-sexy. Wivespreferred their hubbys wear only boxers to bed. Whatever your sleepwearpreference, bedtime is the opportunity to prepare your mind and bodyfor the rest it deserves. Here are a few more tips to help you sleeppretty:

7 Tips To Healthy Sleeping Habits
Copyright 2005 Gobala Krishnan

You toss and turn in bed trying to sleep but get up feeling frustrated. When you finally do get some sleep, it is o'nly for a few hours because it is time to get up and go to work. Then, you go .....

' Always remove your makeup and cleanse your face thoroughlybefore bed (Oil of Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin). Going tobed without washing your face not only leads to mascara-stained sheets(Andrea Eye Q's eye makeup remover pads $3.50+ voted best by AllureMagazines 1999) but the dirt picked up during the day can clog poresand lead to acne.
' Brush and floss your teeth.
' Vaselineworks wonders on rough spots while you sleep. Try it on feet, elbows,and knees and dab a little on your lips too.
' Thereare several night creams on the market now claiming to be moreeffective if applied at bedtime, here are a few to try: Lancome -Primoridale Intense Night Cream $41.50, Murad Perfecting Night Cream$41.50. If these prices are more than you normally spend then L'OrealAge Perfect Night Cream and Oil of Olay ProVital night creams areavailable at Wal-Mart and Target. Prices range from $14 - $15.
' If you wrap your hair in a scarf at bedtime, remember to wash it regularly.
' Wear your fancy nighties to bed. Don't save them for a special occasion. You are a special occasion.
' Afteryour bath or shower ritual slather on a lotion that relaxes you andhelps you fall asleep like Origins Night-a-mins moisture lotion or Calmto Your Senses Body Souflee.

Are You Getting Too Much Sleep?
Too much sleep' are you kidding' There's no such thing these days is there' With today's fast paced lifestyle there's barely enough time to grab enough sleep let alone too much.

However if .....

' Marilyn Monroe is said to only haveworn Chanel No.5 to bed but if you prefer something a little lighterthen Issey Miyake's L'Eau D'Issey Soothing Night Fragrance is a goodpick.

Here's wishing you brighter days and more restful nights!

Cathy Gatson is a freelance writer and owner/operator of a hair and body salon located in Northern California.