Sleeping Beauty…

You may think that you have heard it all before, how important “beauty sleep” is and about getting seven to eight hours of rest per night, blah, blah, blah. Maybe your schedule doesn’t allow you a super long night’s rest or you’re just a night owl or an early bird. Many of us just can’t get in the recommended amount of sleep, and feeling tired all day is definitely no fun.

But did you know that the sleeping position you choose can trick your body into feeling like it has gotten way more sleep than it has? So, stop counting sheep and try out these different sleep positions!

The Cold Hard Truth

Here at JUARA,  we promise you the truth and nothing but the truth, so here it is: getting a good night’s rest is pivotal for not only our skin, but your health, mental state, and mood (you don’t want to be asked if “you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.”).

Below we have put together a list of the best and worst sleeping positions to help you optimize your hours of beauty sleep to stay healthy. Founder and editor-in-chief Helen Sanders of Health Ambition, (which provides easy to understand health and nutrition advice that makes a real impact,) has some great information on healthy sleeping positions too! 

Your PM  Poses

1. On your back

Sleeping on your back makes it easier on the head, neck, and spine. This position aligns the body straight, keeping it in a neutral position. If you have lower back pain, sometimes it may help to place a pillow underneath your knees to alleviate the discomfort from being on your back for too long. 

2.  Starfish

Another good position for your back, and prevents facial wrinkles and skin breakouts. Research has also proven that sleeping on your back can combat acid reflux. In the Starfish position, you are lying on your back with both arms around the pillow. It is important to note that this position may cause snoring!

3. On your side

Sleeping on your side is the second best position and especially beneficial for those who have sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side opens up the oropharynx and elongates the spine to alleviate back pain. However, there is a good and bad to everything! Side sleeping could lead to unwanted skin aging since placing one side of your face on the pillow can cause wrinkles, and could even lead to the quicker advancement of breast sagging(and we definitely don’t want that!). If you are already a side sleeper and experience back pain, try placing a pillow in between the knees to help alleviate pressure.

Your PM  Pose-Nots (aka the worst sleeping positions)

1. On your stomach

Sleeping on your stomach is not advisable since it does not support the natural curve of the spine and can lead to overarching. When you sleep on your stomach, there is added pressure to your joints and numbness resulting in pain.

2. The fetal position

It may seem like the most comfortable but sleeping on your sides with you knees drawn up to your chest can lead to neck/ back pain, sleep lines, and wrinkles. Whenever you sleep on your side, the side or front of your facial skin will be pulled or stretched. If you are sleeping on a high pillow, your head is pushed slightly down and a double-chin gradually appears after a long time.

You sleep with your whole body, and the position you choose affects everything from sleep quality to premature aging. Sleeping positions are greatly related to your skin (and body’s) metabolism, which is regulated at night, so making sure you get enough beauty sleep really does impact your beauty!

Beauty Maintenance 24/7

Don’t forget – we also experience evaporation of moisture from our skin when we sleep, so to look even more glowing and rested in the AM, the right skincare prep before bed can do wonders. Let’s not forget the evening hours are opportunity for giving your skin TLC, treatment, and opportunity to reset that may undo the damage from the day – especially when the concern is dehydration, pollution, and/or sun exposure! It’s important to make sure your skin is clean and moisturized before sleeping – and to have a simple, easy to follow JUARA skincare ritual is always beneficial to undo the stressors of the day. A simple 4-Step to Cleanse, Tone, Treat, and Moisturize process that takes less than 5 minutes with visible results in the AM. Rest, Rejuvenate, and Rejoice in your beauty!