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| Life balance coach and wellness expert Lauren Zoeller |
As a life balance coach and wellness expert, Lauren Zoeller constantly urges her clients to prioritize sleep because, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three of adults in the United States isn’t getting the recommended seven hours of sleep.
Lack of sleep means lower mental and physical performance and can lead to health issues ranging from diabetes to heart disease. Sleep loss also takes its toll on skin. While asleep, important repair, renewal and detoxification processes take place, which are vital for healthy skin. Dark circles, dehydration, skin redness and sallowness may appear when the skin isn’t able to naturally repair during proper sleep cycles.
According to Zoeller, “sleep” and “wake up” patterns can be reset with a combination of aromatherapy and some simple lifestyle choices.
“I use a combination of natural, clinically proven skincare solutions from This Works, which work in harmony with your body clock and promote healthy sleep habits,” Zoeller said. “At night, a few pumps of the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray – which is powered by 100 percent essential oils of lavender, chamomile and vetivert – is proven to help you relax and fall asleep faster.
“For the morning, you can try This Works’ Morning Expert collection, which features natural ingredients to rehydrate, protect, smooth and brighten tired morning skin. I love the Wake Up Drops, which are made with peppermint, rosemary and lavandin oil to energize and boost alertness and mental focus.”
Zoeller also recommends these simple lifestyle choices for sleeping and waking up to optimize wellness:
- Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time (on weekdays andweekends) to keep your circadian rhythms in order, and attempt to keep your bedroom temperature cooler: 60-67 degrees is optimal.
- At least an hour before bed and an hour after waking, stay off digital devices. The blue light emitted by smartphones and tablets affects melatonin production, which regulates sleep and wake up patterns.
- Avoid using a loud alarm that jolts you awake, increasing your blood pressure and stress levels. Choose an alarm sound that will gradually take you from deep sleep to wakefulness. Keep a tall glass of water on your bedside table and drink it right when you wake up to combat overnight water loss.
- Add some morning exercise such as a walk, spin class or yoga and a brief meditation session to help burn off cortisol – the stress hormone – which is most active in the morning. Movement and meditation can help reduce feelings of anxiety going into your day, which helps support productivity.
