Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Subtle changes to look more awake

We talk often about the need for proper sleep and how to achieve that. But, let’s say you are getting the right amount of sleep, going to bed and rising at about the same time every day — and then you hear those three dreaded words: “You look tired”. Sometimes, we can look a lot worse then we feel unfortunately. So here are a few easy ways to look more refreshed. 

Avoid oversleeping. Our bodies crave regularity so you should of course get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. But too much sleep (as well as too little sleep) is linked to chronic conditions like diabetes, anxiety and heart disease. The most risk is when you change your sleep pattern abruptly, like on the weekend. The risk rises on Monday after too much weekend sleep. So, try to resist that weekend lie-in. 

Vitamin D. Now that the time has changed, we are left with fewer daylight hours. Studies show that circles and bags beneath our eyes look more pronounced during colder months. This is a result of less Vitamin D. Lack of this important vitamin makes us lethargic and sleepy looking. But don’t think you can just pop a supplement and solve the problem. Vitamin D, to be its most effective, must be synthesized by natural light. So, get out for at least 10 minutes per day to look your best. Even on a cloudy day the light you get outside is much greater than your office. 

Take deep breaths. Bad circulation is another culprit. Lack of oxygen results in fluid buildup around your eyes and face leading to bloating. Pay attention to your breathing. Most of us breathe so shallowly, we are definitely not getting enough oxygen. Every hour take 5 deep breaths and be more mindful of your breathing throughout the day. 

Drink more water. Dehydration often shows up on our face. Again, circulation is key. Even mild dehydration lowers blood volume that causes our hearts to pump faster. Blood, along with color is diverted from places where it’s not needed like our faces, making us look ultra drained. Take a bottle of water to bed and drink half before bed and the rest during the night or in the morning to ensure you are hydrated. The amount of water you need daily is different depending on different things like weight and activity. There are hydration calculators online to help you out!

Change your sheets. Believe it or not your sheets may be wreaking havoc on your skin. Thread counts that are too high can cause raw or sensitive skin as well as dyes. The ideal choice is silk sheets. They glide across the skin and contain amino acids that could prevent premature aging. So, at least replace your pillowcase, silk is also much better for your hair. Sleeping position can have an effect also, side or back sleeping is preferred. 

Change your diet. Your diet, of course, is a big part of beautiful skin. Sugar is the nemesis of awake looking skin. It raises blood sugar causing skin inflammation and biochemical changes that result in aging. Sleep starved individuals have higher levels of hormones that tell you it’s time to eat and fewer that signal that you are full. They also select bigger portion sizes. 

Fix your posture. Posture doesn’t only make you look tired; it makes you physically weary too. Your body must work harder when your spine and joints aren’t aligned properly. Stand-up desks are becoming all the rage, as people who were tired performed better standing than sitting. If you are not that lucky, get up every hour, walk around and move and give yourself a good stretch.  

Take care of your skin. Skin care, of course, has an effect on how awake we look. Use an acid toner or serum every night. Depending on your skin type, a glycolic or retinol will exfoliate those dead skin cells to brighten your skin by allowing the active new cells to come to the surface for plumper skin. If all else fails, keep a jade roller in your refrigerator to give a puffy face a cool hit.

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago