Beauty Sleep

Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. Sleep is also a heightened anabolic state, accentuating the growth and rejuvenation of the immune, nervous, skeletal and muscular systems. It is recommended that all adults get anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of sleep nightly.

Thank you Wikipedia for the definition. Seems pretty straightforward, sleep is necessary, so dont skip it. But, why is this so important, and why is a wedding blogger spending her time telling me to catch some zzz's? Well ladies (and gentlemen), they don't call it 'Beauty Sleep' for nothing! Not only do the optimal seven to nine hours a night leave you looking luminous, but products are most effective overnight because they penetrate better when you're at rest. Skimp on shut-eye and your skin will look dull. As you snooze, your body churns out human growth hormone -- a crucial ingredient for collagen production. All this below-the-surface metabolic activity, however, helps cause skin to lose about 25 percent more water overnight than it does during the day. Overnight, skin cells regenerate and facial muscles that create lines relax.

For the healthiest skin, you need seven to nine hours of zzz's. Here's why.

• First Three Hours - You get the deepest sleep of the night. Your body produces the most human growth hormone, which is crucial to skin and hair repair, during this time
• Middle Two Hours - Deep sleep shortens and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep begins. Melatonin, a hormone that's also a skin-protecting antioxidant, increases.
• Last Three Hours - This is when you get the most REM sleep. Your skin's temperature reaches its lowest point and your muscles relax, giving skin its deepest recovery.

Conclusion, your meeting with the florist, wedding coordinator and caterer are going to have to wait until morning! Turn off your over planning brian and get some shut-eye!