Ever wonder why they call it “beauty sleep?”

When you drift off to sleep each night your body gets to work: restoring all its systems, repairing muscles, cells, and organs — like your skin. 

There may be no greater beauty tool in your arsenal than a good night’s sleep. Find out how getting the recommended 8-ish hours of sleep each night can impact your appearance:

Anti-aging Benefits of Sleep

Could sleep be the secret to looking younger? 

Researchers in Sweden found that sleep deprivation led to more fine lines and wrinkles.

As you sleep, your body produces human growth hormone, which is necessary for the production of collagen and new cells. 

Collagen is a major component of your skin, and it’s responsible for elasticity and hydration. As you age, your body naturally produces less collagen which can lead to skin that gets dryer, droopier, and more wrinkled. 

Getting a good night’s sleep allows your skin to get to work producing new cells and collagen — it’s like nature’s own bottle of anti-aging serum.

Weight Loss Benefits of Sleep

Lack of sleep could be sabotaging your best weight loss efforts.

Studies have shown that sleep deprivation is linked to:

• Increased hunger
• Cravings for sweet, salty, and starchy food
• Reduced insulin sensitivity
• Significantly altered metabolic function
• Significantly altered endocrine function
• Increased risk of diabetes

In one study, participants who only got 4 hours of sleep increased their calorie intake by 22% — and nearly doubled their fat intake — compared to those who got 8 hours.

Catching some extra zzzs doesn’t guarantee you’ll drop some LBs… but missing out on sleep could make your weight loss journey way harder than it needs to be.

Complexion Enhancing Benefits of Sleep

Sleep may be just as effective as any serum, gel, or balm to get a glowing, radiant complexion.

While you’re snoozing, your body increases blood flow to the skin. Voila! Glowing, rosy skin. 

But skimp out on your sleep and you may find just the opposite: skin that appears dull or sallow.

Healthy Hair Benefits of Sleep

Want strong, shiny, healthy hair? 

The same blood flow that leads to a rosy complexion in your skin also sends nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to your hair follicles. 

When you don’t get the recommended 8 hours of sleep each night, your hair may pay the price: getting fewer nutrients, it can weaken, break, and have difficulty growing.

Worse yet, lack of sleep can lead to an increase in stress and cortisol production, which can lead to hair loss.

Catch Up On Your Beauty Sleep

A magical cure that can help your skin and hair look beautiful while supporting a healthy body weight? It may sound like a fantasy, but the reality is this: sleep is miraculous.

Most healthy adults need around 7 – 9 hours of sleep each night for optimal bodily function. If you’re not logging your 8-ish hours of sleep, your appearance could be paying the price. 

Consider a good night’s sleep as an essential part of your beauty and weight-maintenance routine. After all, they don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing.

This post was originally published at glowellmag.com