Sleeping Beauty

Rest is crucial for good health and a glowing complexion – here’s how to bound out of bed refreshed and glowing.

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A good night’s sleep is fundamental to physical and mental health. Tossing and turning in bed can leave you sluggish, tired and irritable. If you’re feeling sleep-deprived, you’re not alone. Many Kiwis fight a battle to get to sleep or stay asleep, and research by insurance company Sovereign has found that more than a third of us aren’t getting enough quality sleep.

“How we spend our day affects how we sleep and how we sleep affects our wakeful hours,” explains sleep expert Dr Carmel Harrington. “Without adequate sleep we are more susceptible to cold or flu infections and more likely to develop certain cancers, as well as heart disease,” she adds. “Lack of sleep also impacts our productivity because it impairs our capacity to think and learn. It’s also associated with mental health issues, including a fivefold increased risk of depression.”