I read a mind-blowing study this week that found although we average around 7.5 hours a night in the UK, we also have some of the world’s worst ‘sleep hygiene’ habits.
These are the habits that affect the quality of our sleep and are AS important as the duration. This is because our skin rebuilds collagen overnight, so poor-quality sleep leaves us looking far older than we actually are!!
So here’s what I’m doing to clean mine up…
1. Putting myself to bed like a baby
Lots of my friends have recently become parents and ‘the bedtime routine’ is a BIG deal. It usually involves a warm bath, baby massage and a story, which sets them up for quality sleep and bouncy skin 😍
In fact, it made me wonder when we decided we don’t need to take this good care of ourselves as adults? So, I’m following their lead…
I’m now going to have a lovely shower, truly enjoy my 5 Minute Kit, do a quick yoga stretch and be in bed with a book at 9pm. It might make me sound like a grandma, but I sure won’t look like one 😉
2. Leaving my phone in the office
The study also showed that in the UK, we now scroll for approximately 1.5 hours before sleep. Which is an absolute recipe for disaster.
It overestimates our brain with to-do lists and self-comparison and also showers us in too much blue light. Now your 5 Minute Kit will protect your skin from its ageing effects, but it can’t stop your body suppressing hormones like melatonin, that you need to fall asleep.
So rather than responding to emails in bed, or panic-messaging friends waiting for replies, I’m going to give myself permission to leave it in the office and return to it when I’m reenergised and focused.
3. Sticking to a consistent routine
I have a terrible habit of going 110mph during the week, then absolutely crashing at the weekend, because it’s simply not sustainable.
But our bodies thrive on a consistent routine because it sets your internal body clock. This helps your brain know when it’s time to rest or rise and helps your skin know when it’s time to rebuild that precious collagen.
So I’m going to set my alarm for a more reasonable time 7 days a week, rather than burning the candle at both ends for 5 and recovering for 2. Because there’s no topical replacement for good, old fashioned beauty sleep 🙌🏼
Modern life is often hectic, but remember that taking time to unwind your brain and body isn’t a privilege, it’s a necessity. And not only will it help you feel rejuvenated, the effects will be written all over your face too 🥰
