Everyone is different, but on average we all need around eight hours sleep a night to allow our bodies and minds to have a complete rest from all the mental and physical activity our bodies have gone through that day. Indeed, Jennifer Lopez, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Gwyneth Paltrow all say eight hours sleep a night is their number one beauty rule for great looking skin.
Most often associated with luxurious and pampered lifestyles, many celebrities regularly suffer from poor sleep habits due to the amount of travelling they do and the hectic lifestyles they lead. Celebrities have to deal with a number of sleep disorders and complications such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and sleepwalking.
WHAT DO THE SLEEP EXPERTS SAY?
All leading sleep experts recommend a relaxing bedtime routine, and some celebrities, such as Renee Zellwegger, also follow this rule. Going to bed and getting up at the same time, cutting down ‘screen time’ (including TV’s, computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones) to a minimum before attempting to go sleep, avoiding exposure to bright lights before going to bed and having a warm bath are all great tips for getting more sleep.
However, sometimes even when we follow all these rules, the stresses and strains of the day keep us awake at night, stopping us from drifting off into a restful and regenerating sleep.
US Singer Kelly Clarkson keeps a notebook at the side of her bed to write down all her worries and thoughts that are keeping her from sleep. This is a wonderful tip for those of us who have too much on their mind to drift off.
Sometimes just writing things down empties our minds so sleep can follow. Also, avoid alcohol a few hours before going to sleep as it produces stimulants that will actually keep you awake for longer and cause a barrier to sleep.
There are a number of foods that can aid sleep too. Walnuts, bananas, almonds and some cereals all contain components that aid sleep.
Use of aromatherapy oils and creams are becoming more popular than ever thanks to celebrities such as Richard Branson, Jennifer Anniston and Danni Minogue. They all have been reported to use aromatherapy creams and oils to help aid restful sleep, and they have good reason to.
Many aromatherapy oils used to aid sleep contain essentials oils such as lavender oil, which calms and soothes, and geranium oil, which is well known for its sedative effect. They may contain other things, such as frankincense, which brings a sense of calm, and chamomile and hops, which are also known for their sleep aiding properties. Aromatherapy oils can be added to your bath, used in massages and also applied to the face and pressure points to calm the soul and give your skin a midnight treat!
© Jaina
But you don’t have to be a celebrity or lead a luxurious lifestyle to enjoy any of the techniques above. A good bedtime routine, combined with use of aromatherapy oils, is easy to do and doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. A good night’s sleep is achievable by all.