Experts Reveal How To Look Well Rested With No Sleep

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We all know that a good night’s sleep is vital to looking our best and being healthy but sometimes things happen and we end up running on empty for the day.

Dark and puffy eyes and sallow skin are tell-tale signs that you have had no sleep. Whether it’s due to illness, work stress or getting up at night to look after the kids, there are ways to look fresh even after a night of poor quality sleep.

We all have had days we have spent looking exhausted. Some of us pile makeup on.

Health experts at Amerisleep share five simple and natural tricks they use to look refreshed after a bad night’s sleep.

Drink powdered magnesium, or bathe in magnesium salts.

Not getting the recommended eight hours of sleep per night can lead to higher stress levels and inflammation. This will make your eyes look puffy and your skin look tired. Magnesium is an anti-inflammatory and anti-stress mineral. Magnesium has a natural antioxidant effect which aids oxygen uptake, electrolyte balance and energy production.

Add powdered magnesium citrate to a mug of hot water and sip throughout the day. It will help to reduce tiredness and fatigue, and will also help maintain healthy bones and muscles.

If you have more time, take a quick bath with magnesium salts. The salts will soothe your tired muscles, lowering inflammation and minimizing puffiness.

Apply a Quick Coffee Scrub

Drinking coffee is typically the go-to for the sleep deprived. The caffeine may perk you up for a while, but coffee has dehydrating effects which won’t help your skin.

At Fromgirltogirl.com we drink Oaza Cold Brew because it contains electrolytes.

Instead, why not make a simple coffee face scrub?

How to make a Coffee Face Scrub

Combine a cup of ground coffee and two tablespoons of sugar it’s best to use brown sugar as it is more gentle) then add enough coconut oil and mix until the scrub feels like wet sand. Then, gently scrub your face.

The coffee and sugar both act as exfoliants, which will help to rid your skin of dullness, while the caffeine will help get rid of dark under eye circles by causing the blood vessels to constrict. The scrub will last up to two months if stored properly in an airtight container ( must be located in a cool, dry place).

Hydrate, Exfoliate, and Massage

Start by drinking 20-30 ounces, or between 2.5 and 3.75 cups, of room temperature (or slightly chilled) lemon water. Water wakes up the body, flushes out toxins, and combats puffiness. In the shower, exfoliate with a gentle scrub to get rid of dullness by making the skin look bright and dewy. 

If your skin still looks puffy, lightly massage the skin while applying a serum or moisturizer. Focus on moving the lymph fluid from the center of your face towards the periphery. 

Curling your eyelashes will open your eyes up even more, and a bold lip color (i.e. fuchsia or red) will brighten up your face.

Splash Cold Water, Drink Green Tea

Splash your face with ice cold water. This will brighten your complexion and tighten your skin. Around your eyes, try applying a cream with green coffee extract or rosemary, which will help to de-puff and increase circulation.

Try drinking green tea rather than your morning coffee. Coffee has no health benefits and won’t hydrate you. Green tea is packed with antioxidants and will keep you hydrated. It also contains caffeine, just not as much as coffee does.

Dab organic grapefruit essential oil on your pulse points (wrist and neck), which studies show could cause people to perceive you as looking younger and fresher.

If you wear makeup, choose foundation instead of concealer. A light layer of foundation all over is the quickest and easiest way to look alive in one step, as this will even out your skin tone. 

Reduce Swelling with a Cold Compress

The eyes are usually the first signs of a fitful night, followed by the skin.

To combat dullness, exfoliate and moisturize. A skin spritzer can help to wake up your skin and keep you looking fresh. It doesn’t matter whether you use a canned water mist or one from a skincare brand. The cool liquid can feel energizing, too.

For the eyes specifically, makeup will only go so far. If you have time in the morning, apply cool cucumber slices or wet tea bags. Green or black tea is best, because the caffeine helps, especially if the tea has been in the refrigerator before applying to your eyes. This will help ease swelling and increase blood flow.

Finally, a workout can help give you a boost, although if you’re tired it might be the last thing you want to do.

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Bedding expert reveals how to clean a memory foam mattress topper

The AS3 is  a weightless, cooling sleep mattress. We combine sleep-promoting foam layers with bouncy pocketed coils to cradle your body and keep you lifted in healthy alignment.
Mattress toppers gather dead skin cells, sweat and body oil. This attracts dust mites, bacteria, fungi and other allergens to the bed. Dust mites can trigger sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat, breathing difficulties and skin rashes.

To protect your health, clean your mattress topper regularly to avoid allergic reactions. April Mayer, sleep expert from Amerisleep, explains how to clean your mattress topper and extend its life.


How to Clean a Mattress Topper
You cannot put a mattress topper in the washing machine, the cleaning process is different from washing bed sheets. This is how you clean a mattress topper:

Vacuum clean. Take the mattress topper off your bed and put it on the floor to make it easier to reach all the corners. We advise using a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, as a harder brush can damage the fabric cover. Powerful handheld cleaners or water-based cleaners are effective.Go in gentle circular motions to clean dust and grime. When done, flip the mattress over and do the other side. If using a water-based vacuum cleaner, ensure the topper is completely dry before putting it back on your bed. This can take anywhere between 10-24 hours, depending on thickness.

Best practice is to vacuum once a week, or every time you wash your bed sheets. Frequent vacuuming will prevent dust and debris from building up.

Spot clean stains. Stains can be caused by sweat and body oils or accidental spills. Be sure to spot clean as soon as you notice the stain. Use a light-coloured, clean cloth to remove stains as darker colors may bleed when dipped in cleaning solutions. There are general rules to removing stains but we recommend reading the care label instructions before using anything on the topper. Here’s a few cleaning methods using items that you likely have around house:

Laundry detergent: Use a mild liquid detergent diluted with water. Avoid low-quality or powder detergents as they can discolor or alter the texture of the fabric cover. Mix detergent and water in equal parts in a bowl. Dip your cloth in the solution and rub it into the stain in circular motions. Let the solution rest on the stain for 30 minutes. Take another damp cloth and wipe the solution off. Gradually rub the cloth over the stain a few times and ensure there’s no detergent left on the topper. Clean with a dry towel by blotting the area.

Even without any stains, you can use laundry detergent to deodorize and clean the mattress after vacuuming. To do so, mix one part detergent and two parts warm water in a spray bottle. Gently spray over the topper, try to avoid getting it too wet, as this can damage the memory foam. Move the bottle as you spray to ensure an even spray. Wait for the topper to dry before putting it back on your bed.

Baking soda: Baking soda is a good stain remover which also neutralizes odor. Mix one part baking soda and two parts cold water. Rub solution on the stain, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Dip a dry cloth in clean water and remove any residue. Blot dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Alternatively, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stain and vacuum it up after 8 hours or overnight. You can also use baking soda to deodorize the mattress topper. Sprinkle all over the mattress and leave for 8 hours or overnight and vacuum any residue. 

Distilled white vinegar: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bowl. Take a soft cloth and dip it in the solution. Gently rub into the stain using circular motions, moving inwards, which minimizes the chance of spreading the stain. Repeat until the stain disappears. Once the stain is removed, wipe off the solution with a cloth dipped in clean water. Pat dry with a towel or paper towel.

Boric acid: Moisten the stained area with clean water, then sprinkle boric acid onto it. Dab and blot the stain with a sponge or soft cloth in circular motions until the stain has gone. Avoid scrubbing as this could set the stain further. Wipe clean with a dry towel. Vacuum the topper once dry and ensure no residue is left.

Air dry. Make sure you dry the topper completely as any leftover moisture can encourage mold and mildew to grow, damaging the topper. Memory foam takes a while to dry. Keep it in a well-ventilated room with fans on to speed the drying process. The topper can be exposed to direct sunlight for around 30 minutes in the morning which will help to absorb moisture and eliminate odors without having to do anything. If you air dry in sunlight at noon or afternoon it can damage the memory foam as it’s too hot.
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