While it might be easy to stay up just a little longer for one more episode of your favorite show or that extra cocktail with friends, it’s best to hit the sack instead, especially if you’ve got to be up early the next morning. Sleep plays an important role in our day-to-day lives. Not only does a lack of sleep make you more forgetful and less alert, it can also be detrimental to your physical appearance.
Getting your “beauty sleep” is important. Those puffy eyes and dark circles are not a good look and even though they seem like temporary side effects, they are harmful in the long term. Failing to get a good night’s sleep can lead to wrinkles and a pale complexion. According to sleep researcher Phil Gehrman, PhD., in deep sleep, a growth hormone is released to repair tissue, which rejuvenates your skin each night. New collagen is also created by your skin, which stops it from sagging. It’s important to recharge yourself each day to allow your skin and body to rest.
If you’re interested in losing weight and speeding up your metabolism, you might want to hit the snooze button. A study at the University of Chicago found that subjects who were trying to lose weight lost more fat if they were well rested compared to sleep deprived subjects who also happened to lose more muscle mass. Research has also proven that less sleep also drives an appetite for high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods.
Sleep deprivation may also be a factor in an unhappy relationship. A lack of energy and extreme exhaustion affect sex drive. Researchers found that both men and women who were sleep deprived had less interest in sex and lower libidos. One study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism showed that men who suffered from sleep apnea also had low levels of testosterone.
The Uptown Medical Wellness & Anti-Aging team knows life can sometimes take a toll on us, especially in the sleep department. We offer a variety of treatments that will help you look better, boost your sex drive and lose weight. Our Botox treatments and PRP therapy can reduce the appearance of fine lines and our Metagenic treatments and testosterone injections can boost energy and libido. Stop by and visit us today in McAllen.