You know how important good nutrition and exercise are for your health and beauty, but do you know sleep is crucial too? When you doze you're getting more than rest. Sleep refreshes and nourishes and sleep is what we need to keep our body and skin youthful. Sleep researchers say your body is healing and repairing itself. For this reason, dermatologists often suggest using your most "active" skin creams before bed. To avoid puffy, bloodshot eyes, dark under-eye circles and a pale washed-out complexion -- and for peak alertness and energy -- experts say you need eight hours of sleep a night.

Here are some tips from the Sleep Disorders Institute at New York's St. Luke's Roosevelt hospital to help you get the sleep you need:

• Exercise every day. Even 20 minutes of walking can help keep stress hormones from interfering with your sleep.

• Avoid large meals just before bedtime. An active digestive system can disrupt sleep.

• Minimize light, noise and temperature extremes; your bedroom should be comfortably cool, about 68 degrees.

• Don't read, watch television or work in bed. Use the bed only to sleep. This helps prevent you from developing sleep disorders.

• Avoid caffeine, nicotine or other stimulants within four hours of bedtime.

Potent "All Natural" Sedative To Promote Deep Sleep

Did you know that Pearl Powder has been used for centuries for calming the nervous system, relieving stress, elevating the mood, and promoting energy and deep sleep. Pearl is an adaptogen. Its dual-action activity works to stabilize and balance the body by providing energy throughout the day and promoting sleep and relaxation at night.

The highly absorbable form of natural calcium in Pearl Powder is responsible for its calming effects. Studies have shown that Pearl can down-regulate the expression of 5-HT (serotonin blocker) and up-regulate the level of GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) activity in the brain and body. Their findings correlated with the traditional use of pearl and nacre as sedation and tranquilization agents.

GABA is a calming neurotransmitter that blocks impulses between nerve cells in the brain. Low levels of GABA have been linked to people with anxiety, mood disorders, chronic stress and pain. High levels of GABA has shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and promote better sleep.

Pearl has also shown positive effects against insomnia. Pearl is 'cold' in nature and its action against insomnia is through reducing excess "liver heat" which is another reason why Pearl helps to calm the mind and central nervous system.

Promoting deep sleep also enhances the restorative beauty processes that occur during the sleep period.

We all need sleep to keep us healthy and our skin beautiful. Let Pearl Powder be your all-natural sedative, and energy inducing medicine.

Simply put 1/4-1/2 tsp into milk, juice, water, smoothie etc. and drink! Sweet dreams.