Sleep is a fascinating process that is often taken for granted. And yet we spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping. Which is quite a lot, if you think about it.

But it’s not only the duration that makes sleep so vital. Its restorative power heals our physical and emotional wounds, as well as it helps sort out problems. So, it’s much more than just an inevitable natural process.

You all know Scarlet O’Hara’s immortal words: ‘I’ll think of it tomorrow’. And it does make a lot of sense. In order not to rush into taking important decisions or solve problems on the spur of the moment, it’s always better to sleep on them to figure out the solution. Healthy sleep habits can not only help find the right answers but also enhance our creative problem-solving skills and improve memory. We can even fetch the things we have long forgotten from our short-term memory storage. All because the brain acts in a beautifully different way when we snooze.

Sleep debt can lead to serious mental issues, including depression. When we don’t get enough shuteye, we become more impatient and irritated. Sleeping, on the other hand, makes us less anxious and stressed out.

Of course, it’s not only the emotional side of it. Sleep makes us feel better physically. And it goes beyond getting rid of dark circles and bags under the eyes. Golden slumbers promote faster and more efficient healing of wounds and soft tissues. You may have noticed that in the morning your headache or gut pains may subside, sometimes without any medications. It may seem too good to be true, but a good night’s sleep can also prevent heart diseases, arthritis, diabetes, lowers stress levels and halts premature aging. No wonder that sleep deprivation, in its turn, may contribute to long-term sleep related health problems, like insomnia, apnea, narcolepsy and others.

Keep a regular and consistent sleep schedule to make sure you get enough beauty sleep. Also, stick to healthy sleep habits and good sleep hygiene, and your body will appreciate it.