How to beat morning puffiness and swelling

We’ve all woken up after a night of salty snacks and binge-watching to find a bloated complexion looking back at us in the mirror. But sometimes it may seem like you’re doing everything right and you still have a swollen face and puffy eyelids in the morning. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of morning puffiness and how to avoid them.

DITCH THE CHIPS

As we’ve already mentioned, diet is a leading cause of bloating, especially those that are high in sodium. This is because salt causes the body to retain fluids, while simultaneously decreasing the body’s overall fluid intake and leading to dehydration. And chances are, your salt intake is already higher than it should be. In fact, according to recent research published in the scientific journal Nutrients, only 5-10% of the population consumes the daily recommended dose of sodium (less than 2300 mg).

BYPASS THE BEER

Another dietary factor that leads to morning puffiness and bloating is alcohol. There are a multitude of reasons for this, including the fact that alcohol can damage the lining of the stomach and intestines, causing inflammation, and that it interrupts your normal sleep cycles, leading to sleep deficits. A nightcap may sound like the perfect end to a long day, but it’s better to put the bottle back in the liquor cabinet if you plan on going to bed within the next 2-3 hours.

STEER CLEAR OF SCREENS

Still binging your favorite shows before bed? Well, cut it out! The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that “digital eye strain” is caused by the fact that we blink less when we look at our screens. This causes dry, “tired” looking eyes. Aside from that, the light exposure just before bed (not to mention the action-packed fight scenes) reduces melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep even after we turn off the TV.

AVOID ALLERGENS

As we move through spring and into summer, some of us may be experiencing seasonal allergies. If you have itchy, dry eyes that you rub all day long, chances are, you’re rubbing them in your sleep as well. And all that mechanical motion leads to swelling and inflammation in your eyelids and under eyes. Try an over-the-counter allergy medication, or if you prefer a more natural approach, try slowly introducing a tiny bit of local honey into your diet to help your system acclimatize to the flora of the area.

IMPROVE YOUR PILLOW POSTURE

Even if you make all these changes, you still may suffer from morning puffiness if you’ve got bad sleep posture. As you may have heard, sleeping on your back is the best pose for your overall health, but particularly for your spine. When your vertebrae are twisted, circulation of blood, lymph and spinal fluid is cut off, causing fluid to pool in certain areas, which can lead to pain, headaches and edema.

Unfortunately, not many are able to comfortably fall asleep on their backs. And those that can often roll over in the middle of the night to find a more psychologically protective position on their sides or stomachs.

Luckily, you’re not alone, and science has come up with solutions for this problem. The Aula is an anatomical pillow specially designed to help train you to sleep on your back. The high side bolsters gently hold you in place while the divot in the middle catches your head, helping you fully relax in this position and preventing you from tossing and turning in the middle of the night. And the slight slope between the upper and lower support bolsters promote fluid drainage, ensuring a smooth, healthy complexion in the morning.

If you’re not ready to commit to the back-sleeping life but still want some of the benefits, use the Omnia. The side cradles frame your face, preventing contact between the skin and pillow, while the slope between the upper and lower bolsters promotes fluid drainage.

Follow these tips to kick morning puffiness out of bed and wake up glowing every morning!