We've all heard of getting our "Beauty Sleep"...

While we may pay a lot of attention to the benefits of diet and exercise for our physical and emotional health, we often overlook the benefits of sleep. Most of us need at least seven hours of sleep at night to perform at maximum levels. Quality sleep benefits your health, your outlook and your appearance. A consistent evening routine can improve your ability to fall asleep and enhance the quality of the sleep you get.

The Health Benefits of Sleep

When you get enough rest, you start the next day with renewed vitality. During sleep, your skin and muscles relax and rebuild. Your heart rate and breathing slow. Your blood pressure drops and your heart and blood vessels have the time needed to repair.

Your brain needs the downtime too.  During sleep your brain clears the unnecessary clutter you accumulate throughout the day, so you can start the next day refreshed. Not getting enough sleep can also cause increased inflammation which is linked to many health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and chronic pain.

The Beauty Benefits of Sleep

Your skin produces new collagen while you sleep, which makes your skin appear plump and firm. If you don't get enough sleep, your skin is more prone to sagging and wrinkles. Your skin also benefits from increased circulation, not enough sleep will make you look drawn and pale, and you may develop puffy eyes. Your hair will not be as shiny, healthy or resistant to breakage as it is when you get enough rest.

Sleep Helps Maintain Your Waistline

You may have noticed that you get more food cravings when you haven't had enough sleep. You may even gain weight. That's because when you sleep, your body makes the hormones that help regulate your appetite.  People who get enough sleep tend to eat fewer calories than those who don't. When you don't sleep enough, you don't have enough of these appetite-regulating hormones and will probably crave sugar and unnecessary snacks.

Sleep Improves Your Productivity

It is hard to be productive when you are tired. In fact, your productivity can be drastically impaired. Your judgment will be a bit off, and you are more likely to make mistakes. Your coordination will suffer. You will not be as productive as you would be if you had not skimped on the sleep.

Sleep Deprivation Steals Your Happiness

Poor sleep is linked to depression. You may also find yourself more prone to impulsiveness and anxiety. Losing out on sleep could be affecting your happiness and the satisfaction you feel with your life. Not getting enough rest can also make the corners of your mouth droop a bit, making you look sad or tired. When you look unhappy, people respond differently to you than they do when you look happy. Not getting enough sleep can affect your relationships with those around you.

A Nightly Routine Will Improve Sleep Quality

Unfortunately, many of us are sleep deprived, and not always by choice. Many people have trouble falling asleep. If you have trouble sleeping, the best thing you can do for yourself is to maintain a  good sleep schedule. To do that, you need to go to bed and get up at the same time each day to help reset your body clock. That includes maintaining consistency on the days you do not have to go to work.

Sleep experts recommend developing a consistent routine to follow before turning in for the night. Your sleep routine should help you relax and decompress so you can fall asleep quickly. Setting a pattern signals your body and your brain that it's time to end the day. Here's an example of a soothing nightly routine.

• Start your evening routine relaxing with the fragrance of Black Chicken Slumber Essential Oil Blend. You can add a few drops to your bath, use this oil in any infuser, or apply it with your favourite carrier oil. This fragrant oil adds just the right ambience to your bedroom or bath.

• A warm bath will relax your muscles, your mind and help you fall asleep faster. Add a bit of Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Bath Essence to your tub. Lavender is known for its relaxing benefits and will reward you with deeper.

• After your relaxing soak, sip a cup of Goodnight Tea from the Goodnight Tea Co. This handcrafted, organic Australian tea company's soothing blend includes chamomile, passionflower and ginger. This blend will melt away any lingering stress from your day, and the chamomile will help you sleep.

• After your tea, it's time for bed. Before slipping between the sheets, spray them with The Goodnight Co. Sleep Mist. This soothing spray contains lavender, rose, sweet orange, frankincense and geranium essential oils. The perfect blend to send you off to dreamland.

A good nights sleep will benefit your body, your mind and makes a significant impact on the way you look and feel.  Absolute Skin can help you get the sleep you need with our Sleep Collection. Choose a silk pillowcase or eye mask, select a fragrant oil or bath soak. Choose your favourites and start a peaceful sleep routine.  Sleep is important to your health, your happiness and your appearance. Sweet Dreams!