WATCH | It's not called beauty sleep for nothing: How a good night's rest impacts appearance

• Getting a good night's sleep is essential for your overall health.
• According to Dr Unnati Desai, sleep also impacts how we look daily. 
• Increased growth hormones and decreased cortisol levels are just some benefits of a good night's rest.

According to Dr Unnati Desai, UK GP lead at Nuffield Health with a special interest in dermatology; there is evidence that getting enough sleep - combined with other factors - impacts how we look each day.

Here's how:

Sleep supports holistic health

Our quality of sleep impacts our overall well-being, including our physical, mental and cognitive health. It's crucial to prioritise getting uninterrupted, quality sleep on a daily basis to reap the most health benefits.

Sleep encourages growth hormone production

We tend to sleep in five-stage cycles, which recur throughout the night. During stages three and four, known as deep sleep, there's a surge in the secretion of growth hormones. Growth hormones assist with the repair and regeneration of cells.

READ MORE | Getting enough sleep could add years to your life - study

Lack of sleep increases cortisol levels

During sleep, we see a decrease in cortisol, the stress-related hormone in the body. A lack of sleep does the opposite. This, in turn, can have a negative impact on skin and hair and can be the cause of some of the most recognised skin symptoms from sleep deprivation.

Implement a night-time routine

Cleansing your face before bed will remove any pollutants that your skin comes into contact with throughout the day.