Sleep deprivation is a reality most moms can't escape. Some have even come to accept it as a fact of (a parent's) life. But as selfless as sleep deprivation for your loved ones sounds, not getting enough shut-eye impairs your mental and physical ability to function. Plus, it makes you age faster.
Insufficient sleep decreases the moisture levels in your skin, making it look dehydrated. A 2015 study in the United Kingdom found that after slight sleep deprivation, the fine lines, wrinkles, bacteria, and brown and red spots on their female subjects' faces increased. The study lasted only a week. Imagine what regular sleep deprivation can do to your skin.
But luckily, "feeling tired" doesn't have to mean "looking tired." Below are five ways to look fresh and youthful even after a night of sleep loss.
Drink plenty of water
We've all heard that great advice about drinking eight glasses of water every day. But what if you exercise more (thus releasing more bodily fluids) than we do? What if our glasses are smaller than yours? Different bodies and different lifestyles equal different daily fluid requirements. The American Medicine Institute recommends that grown women drink 2.2 liters of water every day.
Take a shower
If you're the type of person who takes a shower really early in the day, chances are you prefer your water warm. But once you step out of the bathroom into cooler air, your body temperature decreases, luring your mind into a tempting state of tranquility. In an article about jump-starting one's day effectively, Entrepreneur.com recommends that before stepping out of the shower, you must set your heater to its coldest setting and stand under the water for about 30 seconds. Then, switch the temperature to as hot as you can take, and again stand under the water for 30 seconds. Finally, set the heater back to its coldest setting, and stand under water again for 30 seconds. This 90-second trick does wonders for your state of mind.
Take a coffee nap
The middle of the day is the perfect time to refresh and recharge, and what better way to do that than to have a power nap? Studies conducted in the U.K. and in Japan suggest this: First, drink a cup of coffee. Then, doze off for about 20 minutes, while the coffee makes its way through your gastrointestinal tract. By the time you wake up, refreshed, the caffeine is ready to kick in for that extra boost of energy!
Minimize gadget use at night
Regular nighttime gazing at the light from gadget screens confuses the brain as to what time of the day it really is. This results in difficulty in sleeping no matter how tired you may be. To gradually eliminate nighttime gadget use, start by letting go only of those habits that are most likely to keep you awake. For example, for some, reading a book can even be sleep-inducing. But for some, checking social media feeds can be too addictive and can really mess up sleep patterns.
Clean and moisturize your face before going to bed
Going through the motions of removing all the dirt and grime that have accumulated on your face after a long day can be very satisfying, relaxing, and stress-relieving.
Beauty experts recommend the use of products with retinol after regular face-washing at night. These products help boost collagen production and reduce age spots, to give the skin a youthful glow.
Try this anti-aging regimen: At night, before you go to bed, apply Pond's Age Miracle Wrinkle Corrector Night Cream, now with Retinol-C Complex that works to boost collagen production for 24 hours—even as you sleep. Before you step out, use Pond's Age Miracle Wrinkle Corrector Day Cream SPF 18 PA++ that reduces wrinkles even under the sun. For the sensitive skin around the eye area, use Pond's Age Miracle Eye Cream. To complete the look, use Pond's Age Miracle BB+ Cream SPF30 PA++, which is Make-up + Skincare in One as it acts as both a light, powder finish make-up base and an additional sunscreen.
As moms, sleep deprivation is part of your daily routine, but living an on-the-go lifestyle doesn't have to mean you take yourself for granted. Stick to a trusted and effective anti-aging regimen and follow the tips above so you can look your best even with little rest!
