Lack of sleep is an issue affecting many Americans. In fact, according to a study by The National Sleep Foundation, 35 percent of Americans report their sleep as “poor” or “only fair,” with women being more likely to report insomnia symptoms. So what does this mean for our overall health? And how can we fix it? Let’s take a look.

Why Is Sleep Important To Your Health and Beauty?

Sleep is the time your body needs to rest and restore so that it can continue to function well. Without this down time, the body struggles to keep up with normal activities, affecting your health and beauty. Some of the main issues include:

• Reduced Cognitive Functions. Without adequate rest, your brain struggles to keep up with daily task. Side effects include constant tiredness, lack focus, being more emotional and susceptible to meltdowns, memory loss and higher risk of depression.
• Lack of Physical Energy. It may seem obvious, but inadequate sleep means your body will lack the physical energy needed to go about your day. Muscle soreness, feeling out of breath, and lower endurance and flexibility are common symptoms, Livestrong reports.
• Higher Risk of Disease. Continual bad sleep can lead to a higher risk of not just the common cold, but also heart disease, obesity, stroke and high blood pressure.
• Higher Risk of Breakouts. Without adequate time for you skin cells to restore, your skin is not as strong to fight off impurities that lead to breakouts. This often means that you’ll see more pimples and blackheads appear on your skin.
• Less Youthful Appearance. Not only does your skin suffer from breakouts, but it loses that natural youthful glow that comes from a good night’s rest. When you get good sleep, you’ll notice that your face starts to look brighter and your skin looks more moisturized.
• Dark Circles. The first sign of bad sleep is dark circles under your eyes, which affects your complexion and means the need for extra make-up and beauty products.

So What Can I Do To Get Better Sleep?

Feelings of stress, way of life and other conditions can make it difficult for some people to fall asleep. Try and follow some simple steps and see if you notice a difference in your quality of sleep.

• Go To Sleep At The Same Time. By going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, your internal clock starts to regulate itself, meaning your body will become accustomed to a certain schedule, and over time, it will become easier to fall asleep and wake up.
• Buy A Good Mattress. Shop around for a mattress that caters to your support and comfort needs. Depending on your sleeping style and the support you require, there is a specific mattress with the firmness and features that will make you feel comfortable. Try looking online at mattress store websites for information on types, support, sleep styles and pricing.
• Exercise Regularly. It may seem simple, but not being able to fall asleep can often be a result of your body not being tired. Try exercising regularly, whether that means intense workouts or long walks, to use up more energy and ensure your body feels tired at the end of the day.
• Avoid Light At Night. Light is a common symptom of feeling awake as it stimulates your body to keep working at regular speed. Try relaxing your body earlier in the evening by avoiding light from things like television, phones or computers, as this will slow down your body and hopefully get it into a sleepier state.
• Expose Yourself To Light In The Morning. As a ritual, try waking up and exposing yourself to some natural light away. This manages your circadian rhythm and gets your body accustomed to seeing light at that time of day. You’ll notice this can help you in maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
• Don’t Nap. In the same way exercise ensures your body is tired, avoiding daytime naps provides the same benefits. If you’re sleeping during the day, your body will be less inclined to sleep at night so try to only get shut-eye at the right time.

Getting a good night’s rest regularly is vital to a healthy mind and body, as well as being a great beauty trick. While it may seem difficult, there are a few simple tricks you can follow to help you get those eight hours in every night.