Sleep is arguably one of the body’s most vital needs. It’s been known to benefit every aspect of our lives, from the mental to the physical. It’s even known to do wonders to one’s appearance, with sufficient sleep being credited with luminous skin, fewer wrinkles, healthier hair, and more.

However, despite all these beautifying, mental, and health benefits, people are still not getting enough sleep. In fact, research shows that Americans are sleeping just 6.8 hours per day on average — less than the daily recommendation of seven to eight hours for adults. Not only that, but these less-than-ideal sleeping habits have also since given rise to a plethora of sleeping disorders and even serious diseases.

Indeed, it goes without saying that there is a real need to improve sleeping habits, not just to look good, but to feel good, as well. So, here are a few changes you can easily make, so you’re always guaranteed a good night’s sleep.

Clean Your Face!

Going to bed with a face full of make-up is not only bad for your pores and your skin but bad for your sleep, too. Mascara and other makeup can flake into your eyes as you roll around the pillows causing irritations and eyelids that feel stuck together. It leaves makeup residue on your pillow which can cause bacteria to grow and cause the skin to become more sensitive. It’s a big no-no and we really stress taking makeup off.

Luckily we have Face Oilz which makes it easy and fun to take makeup off and is great for your skin as well. You can even give yourself a 4-minute facial with our Face Oilz and Rose Sculpting Tool! Then wash your face with the cleanser of your choice, but we recommend our ScrubzBody Sugar Scrub or Facez or Scrubz+ . To set the bedtime moisturizing scene to perfection, Bye Bye Bagz is the answer. Creamy, soothing, and totally nourishing for your skin, this nighttime undereye and face cream will have you drifting off to softness land.

Optimize Your Bedroom

It’s a fact that your environment contributes greatly to the quality of your sleep, making it crucial to create a bedroom that is optimized for rest. As such, it’s a good idea to pay close attention to this special space and make a balanced and restful environment out of it.

Fundamentally, this entails taking into account the various elements that affect sleep, including temperature, light, texture, and sound. The idea is to be as comfortable as possible, so it’s good practice to take specific measures, such as installing blackout curtains, choosing quality fabric for your pillows and sheets, setting your thermostat, and many more.

Of course, let’s not forget your bed. As ground zero for sleep, it’s important to put a real premium on this piece of furniture, particularly the mattress. If it’s been with you for a considerable while, you might be overdue for a new one. However, know that choosing a mattress is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Make sure to consider factors like your body type, sleep style, and weight, as well as conditions like chronic pain, because these could determine the firmness that’s right for you.

Treat Sleeping Disorders

If a sleeping disorder like sleep apnea is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep, you’ll want to take steps to alleviate this condition. You can make lifestyle changes like exercising more often, drinking less alcohol, and changing your sleep position, but more serious cases may require professional help.

You may be surprised to learn that overbite can cause pain and obstruct airways, thereby making quality sleep difficult. Fortunately, there are many options available to treat mild, moderate, and severe overbite. Four of the most common options include braces, Invisalign, at-home teeth aligners like byte and Smile Direct Club, and overbite correction surgery. If you’re unsure which option is right for you, take time to thoroughly research each treatment plan to identify the one that best suits your specific needs.

Manage Your Light Exposure

Your body has a natural timekeeping mechanism known as your circadian rhythm. The key to getting good sleep is ensuring that this works like clockwork, which, in turn, relies heavily on your exposure to light. Indeed, it is now a well-known fact that excessive blue light exposure from tech gadgets has an adverse effect on sleep, so exposure to blue light at night, especially prior to bedtime, is highly discouraged. Similarly, your light exposure during the day matters, too. In fact, exposure to natural light during the day has been known to increase sleep efficiency considerably, making it an equally important consideration.

Stick to Your Sleep Schedule

While still on the subject of circadian rhythms, know that consistently waking up and going to bed at the same time is crucial, as well. As a matter of fact, irregular sleep patterns alter the production of the sleep hormone melatonin so significantly that it invariably leads to poor sleep. With this in mind, it’s more than prudent to avoid sleeping late and sleeping in during the weekends, as well as long naps during the day.

Revitalize Your Routine

Lastly, if you’ve ever had to toss and turn at night, unable to sleep because of myriad thoughts running through your brain, it may be high time to rethink your approach. This can be as simple as adding relaxation techniques like meditation and visualization to your daily routine, or maybe even little rituals like taking a warm bath before bedtime. By making this kind of downtime a requisite in your daily life, you are able to relax better and, better yet, fall asleep easier.

No doubt, technology, and our busier lives, in general, have made sleep a real chore and challenge. Thankfully, with a few tweaks here and there, you can now rest easy and reap the benefits of a good night’s sleep.

By Sheila Olson, guest blogger

Sleep is one of the things you can do for yourself. Great products to pamper you and your skin is something we are happy to do for you! View our line of handcrafted products.