Sleep studies have revealed that sleep has a direct effect on how our skin looks and feels. Let’s examine how our body reacts to insomnia and how it shows up on our skin!

During sleep, our body recovers and repairs after a day of activity. Imagine the night shift crew on construction job hurrying to get things done before the alarm goes off in the morning. While our body is at rest, internal systems are working on all cylinders to fix what we didn’t know was broken and fill up what we didn’t know was empty.

Blood flows more easily to the skin while we sleep. While our body is not busy standing, sitting, eating, thinking and so much more during the day, it gets busy on doing other tasks. During the recovery and repair process going on silently while we sleep, the body boosts blood flow to the surface of the skin giving us that rosy complexion. Less than 7 hours of sleep can result in a dull, pale and tired-looking complexion.

Collagen works hard while we sleep. Collagen, the protein that keeps our skin from sagging is produced during sleep. The more collagen our body can produce, the plumper and more youthful-looking our skin will appear. Our body naturally produces less collagen as we age, and wrinkles are generally looked at as a sign of a life well-lived, but let’s not rush them because of a lack of sleep!

Water and hydration are important while we sleep. During the winter months, our skin tends to be drier and while drinking extra water will help with some of the hydration, sleeping in a very dry environment can cause our skin to become dry and irritated. Sleeping while running a humidifier will help boost the water molecules and keep our skin healthy. So, spending at least 8 hours in a richly humidified room will hold marvelous benefits.

Hormones need our body to be well-rested. Hormones which are produced in our 7 major glands are charged with a specific task to accomplish in our body like stimulating puberty, and bringing on menopause. When they are overactive or underperforming, we will know it and most often it will show up on our skin. Getting little sleep will have a strong impact on how balanced our hormones are and our skin can easily erupt, overnight just before that big date, or a final exam.

Our eyes never lie. Droopy eyelids, dark circles and bags under our eyes are tell-tale signs that we haven’t been sleeping much. The lack of adequate sleep will stifle the boosts of blood flow that happen during the night resulting in glazed-over and tired-looking eyes. If bags for example have become a chronic issue, elevating our head on a couple of pillows will help reduce puffiness.

Dark under-eye circles, blemishes in the worst of places, or more severe issues like eczema and other rashes can be the result from the lack of sleep. We may not have given it much thought before but, as one of the three pillars of good health along with proper nutrition and sufficient exercise, sleep is often dismissed as a beauty treatment. So, while we take another look in the mirror, what are we going to think about now?

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the internet is an incredible and valuable tool which, for the most part, facilitates our lives in countless ways. The flip side of that observation is that the temptation to stay connected for long periods of time is affecting how we sleep. Yes, there is a study for that!

Studies pop up every day examining how we interact with people, places, and things, and through extensive research, present the benefits or risks of some of the crazy things we do! Enter binge watching: an activity in which we remain connected to our devices to stream endless episodes of programs we missed during the day because we are earning a living. So, when do we sleep?

The drama, the intrigue, the mystery, and occasionally the comedy-based shows I streamed had me hooked like a bag of chips! Not only is the Internet a seemingly bottom-less pit of entertainment, but it should now come with a caution. The lure of easily accessible programs was so powerful and unfortunately for me, it affected not only my sleep, but my mood during the day.

Back in the old days I didn’t have the same access to channels that I do now, and as such I only watched a couple of shows and patiently waited a whole week to watch the next episode. If I wasn’t home at the time of the screening, I would pull out my video recorder and set it to watch later. Fast forward to the era of the Internet, my favourite programs had grown to many more, and I didn’t need to wait a whole week to watch the next episode.

As many of these shows typically end in cliff-hangers, why would I possibly wait when the resolution is just a click away. And so, the binging began.

My binge watching due to uncontrollable impulses caused me to get only few hours of sleep, and due to the blue light from my computer screen, it was not a restful sleep experience. The excitement from some of the story lines was enough to keep me tossing and turning.

Some people may suffer from similar fitful sleep when they can’t put a book down, but the blue light from the screen was clearly affecting the production of melatonin which kicks in only in low light. I began suffering from insomnia, and as a result I became very moody. Concentration during the day became an issue, and I suffered brain fog regularly.

It was only when I had a routine visit with my medical practitioner that I learned how my insomnia and poor quality of sleep affected my blood pressure and contributed to my daily headaches, which I thought were work-stress related. It was the binge watching that affected the quality of my sleep which, in turn affected my health. The easy access to endless streaming which provided me with that regular dose of adrenaline rush or side-splitting comedy had become my addiction which needed an intervention!

To improve the quality of my sleep and restore my health, I no longer bring devices into my bedroom, follow a workable sleep hygiene routine, and save any watching of programs for the weekend, and only for 2 hours at time.

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

You stuffed yourself for a whole month with holiday favourites like candy canes, sweet desserts and carbs galore, but now it’s January and you regret it all. Your body shape has changed, your energy levels are low, and your mood is, well, nasty.

If there is anything that connects us all to the holiday season, it’s that oh so familiar act of gluttony. Fear not, January is a month for resolutions starting with your diet, exercise routine and other mood enhancers. Follow along as I list the most effective ways to shed those unwanted pounds, get into a healthy routine and detox your body.

Tip #1 – Remove Temptations From Your Kitchen Cabinets

Before any detoxing can begin, I must rid my kitchen cabinets of any unhealthy snacks and treats, I enjoyed as did my guests. As I typically like to entertain over the holidays, I am always left with an excess of junk food. I know I should make better choices, even during the holidays, but some habits are hard to change. I did, however, offer an avocado dip which was very healthy! Now to clear out the pantry, I typically grab a large garbage bag, and stuff it with left over bags of chips, holiday candies and other salty and unhealthy snacks.

Tip #2 – Get Alcoholic Beverages Out of Sight

My family enjoys a few alcoholic beverages over the holiday season, but that habit ends quickly as we get back into our January routine. That being said, I usually round up all the half-empty bottles and put them either in storage or throw them out altogether. The same goes for sugary beverages. I promptly start off my new year with lots of water. Eight – 8 oz glasses a day to be more precise or about 2 litres! I make sure that I have a handy water bottle that measures a litre and fill it up at least twice.

Tip #3 – Establish a Weekly Meal Plan

Now that my kitchen is clean, organized and junk food free, I establish a weekly meal plan. As my family needs to eat every 4-5 hours, I prepare small healthy meals and snacks in Tupperware or microwave and oven-safe containers. I find that when they eat smaller portions more often, they are more satisfied throughout the day and less hungry during the night. A healthy balance of veggies, carbs and proteins is always something I strive for.

Tip #4 – Get Moving

It’s usually about this time of the year when I dust off and grease up my treadmill. I am not someone who likes to exercise, but I still manage to squeeze in 30 minutes of activity 3-4 times a week. With a dab of motivation to get fit and a sprinkle of pride to look and feel good, you can start this year off with lots of energy that will yield awesome results.

Tip #5 – Detox Your Body

To finish off my get-back-into-shape plan, I will consider a good detox. I make sure to visit my Health Food store and speak to the naturopath on getting the best products to get my body systems back to optimum speed and efficiency. To this, I will add a few visits to the massage therapist who will clear out my lymphatic system, work those muscles back into shape, and squeeze those toxins out of my body!

This is not a big challenge and easy for anyone to do. You need to remember that all of the binging needs to now turn into detoxing and a return to healthier habits. Your sleep will, without a doubt, benefit from all of your dedication!

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

It’s that time of year again when we take a moment or more to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and what is left on our long-term to-do list. Here is a simple guide to help devise easy to achieve goals, practices and habits that can stick with us beyond the new year.

As we march steadily forward to the end of another year, we may feel the past 11 months are a blur, or that they raced past us in blink of an eye. But were they, really? December may have a long to do list, but we should also take some time to stop and reflect about what we’ve accomplished, what we left incomplete, and what we hope to achieve in a new and sparkly year. Making resolutions, however, may set us for disappointment, especially if we are not able to meet the lofty goals we set while sipping on a glass of wine… or three!

We have a choice. We may very well-set high goals for ourselves on December 31st or decide this is will be the year that we will go with the flow. Both can hold the potential to yield awesome results. It will depend on the strength of the intentions that we will set. This is where most of us stumble: staying on the course we set for ourselves. Learning to release expectations may, in the end, be the best advice.

Letting go of control of the outcomes, and meeting the mini goals towards the big ones, are the best way to approach a new journey. What we should all consider, however, is that we must enjoy and focus on the journey and on the mini goals, while the larger goals will take care of themselves. Let’s not spend too much worry on the destination. We’ve all heard it said numerous times in various ways, life is purely about the journey.

Besides the usual theme of diet, exercise and restful sleep, it’s important to do more of what feeds our soul. Maybe it’s time to take our cooking to the next level and join a cooking class, and maybe check out the yoga studio in our neighbourhood for early morning classes. We can be taking time on the weekends to visit outdoor markets, thrift shops and used bookstores instead of tackling a long list of chores. We should definitely do more of the former than the latter.

It’s time to take more down time with a good book or polish and recycle those treasures we found. Sometimes just 20 minutes with a great character in a good book, or getting our hands dirty for a good cause, is all we need for some perspective. Journaling our goals and dreams regularly will remind us of what makes us smile, and our hearts skip a beat, and that we should take steps towards these goals every chance we get!

I hope that the journey into a new year will bring us closer to the desires we all dream of, the revelations needed to grow, and the wisdom to know that we are always in control.

May a new year bring us all the peace, love and joy we can handle, and then some! May it be abundantly delicious, sweet, not sour, savoury not salty, spicy not scorched. During those long cold dark nights, may we enjoy warmth, comfort and a full heart knowing that we did our best.

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

Whether you have a naughty or nice list, our guide to easy holiday shopping will take the pain out of gift giving. Are you ready to go outside the box?

Holiday shopping is never easy, except when careful planning, and using a variety of options are involved! Whether your giving lists are long or short, you should never spend beyond our means. So many of us are faced with large credit card debt after the holidays and suddenly the joy of the season quickly turns to misery. The best way to get started is to write out the list of who to shop for and the total shopping budget. Using cash and recording the costs as you move along the list will help keep you stay on track. Here are some great ideas on how to keep your bank accounts in the black while sharing the joy of giving!

Baked Gifts

When you are a kitchen alchemist who can easily navigate eggs, butter and flour into a bowl, then you can let your skills shine with batches of baked goods! Why not? Filling cute holiday inspired boxes and containers will get everyone’s mouth-watering! From kids to seniors, brownies to trail mix, pound cake to Bundt cake, nobody will feel left out!

Buy Local

Local shops can really use some attention during the holiday season! Even if they compete with big warehouse stores and online businesses, especially during the holidays, they can still offer you some great deals. By doing it differently and shopping local you may get one of a kind items or services that will thrill that special someone on your list while supporting local businesses.

Craft Fairs

There is nothing more fun than attending craft fairs during the holiday season. Handmade and unique items are abundant from slippers to candles to wooden toys, there is something for everyone on your list. They are usually held on weekends and include entertainment for the young and young-at-heart with plenty to eat while you shop until you drop!

Entrepreneurs

Whether they make candles, essential oil blends, offer massage therapy, cooking or babysitting services, entrepreneurs are easily found online and in your neighbourhoods. They are your friends, family, neighbours, teachers and they need your support to either help supplement their income for a growing family or a little extra during retirement.

Donate to a Charity

So many charities are available that support foundations and organizations assisting refugee families, endangered or abused animals, international emergencies, local food banks and victims of abuse. Some offer certificates or toys in exchange for a donation which can be made in the name of the person on your list. While you support an organization that holds some meaning for you, you are also inspiring your recipients to give some thought to social issues.

Gift Cards

For the more difficult-to-shop for person, gift cards from their favourite store can be a last-minute life-saver! Whether it be for books, clothes, gadgets or services, gift cards will make the shopping experience very easy. When purchased online, they can be sent directly to the recipient attached to a lovely card or gift box.

The holidays should be a fun time to spend with those you love and share the bounty of a year well-lived. By carrying that spirit over to a new year without the stress of an over-extended budget gets things started on the right foot!

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

Storms can be scary. Between the lightning, the pounding rain, and the darkness that goes along with them, storms can easily put a thunderous interruption into your daily routine. Said noisy interruption can have double the impact when you are trying to sleep during the crashes and flashes of a storm. So, in an effort to help our customers weather any storm, we’ve put together some tips to help you get back into your sleep routine, no matter what is raging outside.

Block, Block, Block It Out

While we don’t have a magical storm signal blocking machine that can turn storms on and off at will, we do have some other – and more realistic – suggestions for helping you get to sleep during a storm. Though, hopefully somewhere somebody is working on that storm blocking machine.

Storms are loud, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t fight fire with fire. Or in this case, sound with sound. Earplugs can help quiet the world around you, or you could even use white noise to help cover up the sounds of the storm.

Crawl into bed, get nice and comfortable in your amazing Sealy Posturepedic mattress, and use earplugs or white noise to create a shield that protects you from the storm. If all goes well, you’ll be off to sleep before you know it!

Black, Black, Black It Out

If the lights and sights of the storm are what gets to you, blackout curtains could be a good way to go. They’ll help you block that raging visual display of electricity outside your window and provide you with a dark place to close your eyes and get some rest.

Of course, curtains aren’t going to solve all of your sleeping problems: You still need a good foundation underneath you. That’s where Sealy Posturepedic comes in — with a Sealy Posturepedic mattress at your back, you’ll be able to get the best sleep possible, no matter what is going on in the world outside.

Think, Think, Think It Out

There’s also another force you can use to combat the storm raging outside: your own mental ingenuity. There are a couple of different things that could help at this step, and most of them you’ll be able to do right from the comfort of your own bed.

The idea is distraction, so yoga or meditation before bed could be useful in getting yourself into a sleep-ready mood. You could also try reading or journaling as other activities.

Sleeping during a severe storm can be tricky, but there’s no reason to let the storm get the best of you and ruin what could otherwise be a night of perfectly good and undisturbed sleep. Your mattress is the foundation of all of your sleep habits, so you want to make sure that a Sealy Posturepedic mattress is there to support you when you need it most.

But, if you aren’t happy with your mattress – even on nights when it isn’t storming outside – then it is probably time to give us a call! We’ll help you find the best and most comfortable Sealy Posturepedic mattress that meets all of your sleeping needs.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert