A miraculous thing happens when your brain tunes out:
A miraculous thing happens when your brain tunes out: Your body shifts into action, repairing the damage done throughout the day. These are hours you want to take advantage of. The four strategies here will boost the recovery process, so you wake up healthier and more energised.
As you doze, your body works hard to repair a day’s worth of damage.
Take these nutrients before bed
Specific vitamins and minerals that help you sleep better may improve the function of your body’s natural repair systems, says Dr Jill Carnahan, founder and medical director of Flatiron Functional Medicine in Colorado. Look for a supplement that contains the neurotransmitter GABA or melatonin, which relaxes you, and magnesium or zinc, which calms the nervous system.
Power up your skincare
“Skin temperature rises slightly at night, so you absorb ingredients better,” says Dr David Bank, dermatologist and founder and director of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery in New York. He suggests using a product with one or more of these three substances: retinol to promote healthy cell turnover; vitamin E, an anti-inflammatory that counters the damage caused by pollution; and hyaluronic acid, a superhydrator that helps skin retain moisture. Paula’s Choice Resist Ultra-light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum (from $15, https://paulaschoice.sg) has two of the three: hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.
Do a quick rinse
The acidic and sugary foods and drinks we consume during the day slowly eat away at tooth enamel, and the process intensifies at night. “When we sleep, saliva production decreases, making our mouths more acidic and vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria,” says Yasmin Chebbi, a dentist with the Floss Bar in Boston. Rinse with a remineralising mouthwash before bed to lower the acidity and “give you seven or eight hours when the teeth can repair themselves,” suggests Yasmin.
Sleep on your side
This position speeds up the body’s glymphatic system, which helps remove harmful debris from your brain as you snooze, says Benjamin Plog, a researcher at the University of Rochester. “The brain produces a lot of metabolic waste during the day,” he says. “If that debris builds up, it could potentially predispose a person to Alzheimer’s disease.” Side sleeping helps your brain detox and stay healthy.
