October 28, 2013

Herbalife Announces Appointment of Dr. Richard H. Carmona — 17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006) — to Board of Directors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) today announced the appointment of Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, and 17th Surgeon General of the United States, to the Company's Board of Directors, effective October 25, 2013. Dr. Carmona brings more than 40 years of experience in medicine, nutrition, preventative health and business to the Herbalife Board.

DR. RICHARD H. CARMONA - 17th SURGEON GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES (2002-2006) (Photo: Business Wire)

Dr. Carmona joins as an independent Director. With his appointment, Herbalife has increased the size of its Board to 12 members, 9 of whom are independent.

"As a scientist and medical professional, I was first attracted by the depth and breadth of Herbalife's commitment to excellence in nutrition science," said Carmona. "As a business person, my due diligence showed me a company of integrity with a good business plan. As the son of poor emigrant parents, I am elated to see the opportunities Herbalife offers to families in health-disparate and economically underserved communities."

"Dr. Carmona has dedicated his life to improving the relationships among health, culture, education and economic status, and we are pleased to welcome him to Herbalife's Board of Directors," saidMichael O. Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer of Herbalife. "As a Surgeon General ofthe United States, a distinguished professor of public health, and an experienced business leader, Richard will be a tremendous addition to our Board. We look forward to leveraging his expertise in our ongoing initiative to ensure the nutritional benefits of all Herbalife products and our continued efforts to empower our distributors around the world."

About Dr. Richard H. Carmona

Dr. Carmona currently serves as the first Distinguished Professor of Public Health at the University of Arizona, and the first Distinguished Professor of Health Promotion and Entrepreneurship at TheOhio State University. He is President of the nonprofit Canyon Ranch Institute Board of Directors inTucson, Arizona and vice chairman of Canyon Ranch. He serves on the boards of other public companies including The Clorox Company and Taser International, and works in leadership and advisory roles helping to create businesses in emerging science and technology.

Born to a poor Hispanic family in New York City, Dr. Carmona experienced homelessness, hunger, and health disparities during his youth. The experiences greatly sensitized him to the relationships among culture, health, education and economic status and shaped his future.

In 1967, Dr. Carmona enlisted in the U.S. Army and went on to become a combat-decorated Special Forces Vietnam veteran. After leaving active duty, he attended Bronx Community College of the City University of New York, where he received an associate's degree. He then attended theUniversity of California, San Francisco, where he received a bachelor's degree (1977) and medical degree (1979).

Trained in general and vascular surgery, Dr. Carmona also completed a National Institutes of Health-sponsored fellowship in trauma, burns, and critical care. He went on to become the chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System, a professor of surgery, public health and family and community medicine at the University of Arizona, and the Pima County Sheriff's Department surgeon and deputy sheriff.

In 2002, Dr. Carmona was nominated by the President and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate to become the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Carmona was selected because of his extensive experience in public health, clinical sciences, health care management, preparedness, and his commitment to prevention as an effective means to improve public health and reduce health care costs while improving the quality and quantity of life. In 2006, Dr. Carmona successfully completed the statutory four-year term.

Dr. Carmona has published extensively and received numerous awards, decorations, and local and national recognitions for his achievements. A strong supporter of community service, he has served on community and national boards and provided leadership to many diverse organizations.

About Herbalife Ltd.

Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) is a global nutrition company that sells weight-management, nutrition and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle.Herbalife products are sold in more than 80 countries to and through a network of independent distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and its Casa Herbalife program to help bring good nutrition to children. Herbalife's website contains information about Herbalife, including financial and other information for investors at http://ir.Herbalife.com. The company encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words "may," "will," "estimate," "intend," "continue," "believe," "expect" or "anticipate" and any other similar words.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed or incorporated by reference in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• the resignation of our former independent registered public accounting firm, its withdrawal of its audit reports with respect to certain of our historical financial statements, any difficulties PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our successor accounting firm encounters in the re-audits of such relevant historical financial statements or any material modifications to such historical financial statements PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP believes should be made as a result of such re-audits;
• any collateral impact resulting from the ongoing worldwide financial environment, including the availability of liquidity to us, our customers and our suppliers or the willingness of our customers to purchase products in a difficult economic environment;
• our relationship with, and our ability to influence the actions of, our distributors;
• improper action by our employees or distributors in violation of applicable law;
• adverse publicity associated with our products or network marketing organization, including our ability to comfort the marketplace and regulators regarding our compliance with applicable laws;
• changing consumer preferences and demands;
• our reliance upon, or the loss or departure of any member of, our senior management team which could negatively impact our distributor relations and operating results;
• the competitive nature of our business;
• regulatory matters governing our products, including potential governmental or regulatory actions concerning the safety or efficacy of our products and network marketing program, including the direct selling market in which we operate;
• legal challenges to our network marketing program;
• risks associated with operating internationally and the effect of economic factors, including foreign exchange, inflation, disruptions or conflicts with our third party importers, pricing and currency devaluation risks, especially in countries such as Venezuela;
• uncertainties relating to the application of transfer pricing, duties, value added taxes, and other tax regulations, and changes thereto;
• uncertainties relating to interpretation and enforcement of legislation in China governing direct selling;
• uncertainties relating to the interpretation, enforcement or amendment of legislation in India governing direct selling;
• our inability to obtain the necessary licenses to expand our direct selling business in China;
• adverse changes in the Chinese economy, Chinese legal system or Chinese governmental policies;
• our dependence on increased penetration of existing markets;
• contractual limitations on our ability to expand our business;
• our reliance on our information technology infrastructure and outside manufacturers;
• the sufficiency of trademarks and other intellectual property rights;
• product concentration;
• changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation;
• taxation relating to our distributors;
• product liability claims;
• whether we will purchase any of our shares in the open markets or otherwise; and
• share price volatility related to, among other things, speculative trading and certain traders shorting our common shares.

We do not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement or to report any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

December 9, 2013

Herbalife Announces Appointment of Maria Otero — Humanitarian, Business Leader and Former U.S. Under Secretary of State — to Board of Directors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global nutrition company, Herbalife (NYSE: HLF), today announced the appointment of Maria Otero to the Company's Board of Directors, effective December 7, 2013. Otero has spent an illustrious career focused on tackling poverty and empowering those less fortunate around the world, and her leadership, experience and insight will be a valuable addition to the Herbalife Board.

Otero joins as an independent Director. With her appointment, Herbalife has increased the size of its Board to 13 members, 10 of whom are independent.

"For more than 30 years, I have focused on helping individuals empower themselves through work, so they can take control of their own lives. I have seen first-hand the power of giving those individuals and entire communities the chance to realize their potential," said Otero. "Having spent a lot of time getting to know Herbalife, I am convinced this is a company that shares my belief in the positive impact that economic empowerment can bring to society."

"Throughout a career focused on helping others, Maria has shown what can be achieved if people are just given the opportunity. She is a recognized leader in the field of micro-enterprise, and we are delighted to welcome her to Herbalife's Board of Directors," said Michael O. Johnson, chairman and chief executive officer of Herbalife. "Maria will be a tremendous addition to our Board, and we look forward to leveraging her unparalleled knowledge and insight towards a shared goal of providing an equal and accessible opportunity to everyone who needs it."

About Maria Otero

Otero currently serves on the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the boards of Kresge Foundation, Public Welfare Foundation and Development Alternatives Inc.. She has chaired the board of Bread for the World, and also served on the boards of the Calvert Foundation, U.S. Institute for Peace, the Inter-American Foundation and BRAC in Bangladesh.

Born in La Paz, Bolivia, as one of nine children, Otero came with her family to the U.S. when she was 12 years old. Although her initial studies in English literature were chosen with a career in academia in mind, it was her brother who convinced her that her future lay in helping others. She decided that if she was going to tackle poverty around the world she would study economics, and she also returned to Bolivia to improve her knowledge of the Latin American reality. She returned to the United Statesto complete graduate work at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where she earned her Masters.

In her early career, Otero became a program officer at the Inter-American Foundation and worked for five years at the Center for Population and Development Activities. Otero also worked as an economist for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Women in Development Office of USAID.

In 1986, Otero joined Accion, one of the first micro lending organizations in the world, as country director in Honduras. She returned to the United States in 1989 to start and direct the Washington, D.C., office. In that position, she worked with the U.S. government and nonprofits to develop policies that helped families in the developing world earn money through small businesses. A typical microfinance program extends a small amount of credit, usually with no collateral, to people or organizations that would not normally qualify for loans. Otero was named Accion's vice president in 1994, and president and CEO of Accion International six years later. The nonprofit organization operates in 26 countries and is recognized as a global leader in microfinance and economic development.

In 2000, President Clinton appointed Otero to the board of the United States Institute of Peace, where she served for eight years. In 2006 she was appointed by Secretary General Kofi Annan to the U.N. Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors. In June 2009, Otero was nominated to serve as under secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, which made her the highest ranking Hispanic official at the State Department, and the first Latina under secretary in its history. In this position, Otero was charged with helping shape the State Department's positions on human rights, climate change, global health, refugees, trafficking in persons and women's issues. She oversaw the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Scientific Affairs; the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration; the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; and the Office of the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary.

On January 17, 2012, Secretary Clinton named Maria Otero as under secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, a newly created office and position at the State Department. During her time at the Department of State, Under Secretary Otero also served as the President's Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.

Otero's awards and recognition include selection by Newsweek in October 2005 as one of the United States' 20 most influential women; Hispanic Business Magazine's ‘Elite Women of 2007'; Notre Dame University's Distinguished Service in Latin America Award; National Council of la Raza Graciela Olivarez Award; and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Otero holds an M.A. in literature from the University of Maryland; an M.A. in international relations from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), at the Johns Hopkins University; and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Dartmouth College.

About Herbalife Ltd.

Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) is a global nutrition company that sells weight-management, nutrition and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle.Herbalife products are sold in more than 90 countries to and through a network of independent distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and its Casa Herbalife program to help bring good nutrition to children. Herbalife's website contains information about Herbalife, including financial and other information for investors at http://ir.Herbalife.com. The company encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words "may," "will," "estimate," "intend," "continue," "believe," "expect" or "anticipate" and any other similar words.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed or incorporated by reference in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• the resignation of our former independent registered public accounting firm, its withdrawal of its audit reports with respect to certain of our historical financial statements, any difficulties PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our successor accounting firm encounters in the re-audits of such relevant historical financial statements or any material modifications to such historical financial statements PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP believes should be made as a result of such re-audits;
• any collateral impact resulting from the ongoing worldwide financial environment, including the availability of liquidity to us, our customers and our suppliers or the willingness of our customers to purchase products in a difficult economic environment;
• our relationship with, and our ability to influence the actions of, our distributors;
• improper action by our employees or distributors in violation of applicable law;
• adverse publicity associated with our products or network marketing organization, including our ability to comfort the marketplace and regulators regarding our compliance with applicable laws;
• changing consumer preferences and demands;
• our reliance upon, or the loss or departure of any member of, our senior management team which could negatively impact our distributor relations and operating results;
• the competitive nature of our business;
• regulatory matters governing our products, including potential governmental or regulatory actions concerning the safety or efficacy of our products and network marketing program, including the direct selling market in which we operate;
• legal challenges to our network marketing program;
• risks associated with operating internationally and the effect of economic factors, including foreign exchange, inflation, disruptions or conflicts with our third party importers, pricing and currency devaluation risks, especially in countries such as Venezuela;
• uncertainties relating to the application of transfer pricing, duties, value added taxes, and other tax regulations, and changes thereto;
• uncertainties relating to interpretation and enforcement of legislation in China governing direct selling;
• uncertainties relating to the interpretation, enforcement or amendment of legislation in India governing direct selling;
• our inability to obtain the necessary licenses to expand our direct selling business in China;
• adverse changes in the Chinese economy, Chinese legal system or Chinese governmental policies;
• our dependence on increased penetration of existing markets;
• contractual limitations on our ability to expand our business;
• our reliance on our information technology infrastructure and outside manufacturers;
• the sufficiency of trademarks and other intellectual property rights;
• product concentration;
• changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation;
• taxation relating to our distributors;
• product liability claims;
• whether we will purchase any of our shares in the open markets or otherwise; and
• share price volatility related to, among other things, speculative trading and certain traders shorting our common shares.

We do not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement or to report any events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Goodbye to a man who truly embodied what it means to be human. A profound inspiration to each and every one of us... what can I do to carry out his legacy in my enviroment?.... I determine each day to do my best.

Conratulations to Herbalife's newest Presidents Team Member . Daniel Spiller

PRESIDENT’S TEAM

DANIEL SPILLER

I was first introduced to Herbalife through a friend who recommended I try the products. Before Herbalife I was a professional footballer and once I found out some of the top athletes were using the products I thought I would try them out.

My brother also heard about Herbalife and soon signed up as a Distributor. After having such fantastic results on the products and seeing how well my brother was doing, I also decided to join and take advantage of the business opportunity Herbalife offered.

To build and support my organisation I started running HOM and making use of the training days that were already available to me. My skills and those of my organisation have been developed through attending and running these meetings.

Business methods: Regular training meetings and Mark Hughes fundamentals of Use, Wear, Talk, keeping it fun, simple and magical!

At present I have 108 Supervisors, 1 Millionaire Team member, 3 GET Team members and 38 World Team members.

I'd like to thank my brother Lee Spiller who sponsored me, Matthew Barraclough who has taught me everything I know and my upline Chairman’s Club members David Bevan and Jane Clark, who have been very supportive during my Herbalife journey and of course all of my group as without them nothing would be possible.

Thank you, Herbalife!

IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING THIS WEEK… AVOID THE WINTER BLUES

words by Kathleen Fleming

The clocks have changed, we have had our extra hour in bed and now we are faced with 6 months of the dark and cold. But the winter doesn’t have to be a reason to lapse into comfort eating and a state of depression. There are a few things we can do to boost our immune system, keep our emotional wellbeing on track and make ourselves feel great all the way through to the next clock change.

Get Your Vitamin D
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression occurring in the winter due the lack of sunshine. It is a very real problem in the UK and when the darkness sets in, so does that winter depression. It has been shown that increasing intake of vitamin D can make a difference to the mental health of those affective by winter blues. Vitamin D is also crucial for bone health and our immune systems. It is a well-known fact that we get vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. Unless you are lucky enough to afford multiple sunshine holidays, it is possible that you may not get enough vitamin D during the winter months. In order to ensure you get enough vitamin D try heading outside at least once a day, such as a thirty minute walk at lunch time. If the winter weather is not playing ball and walking outside is not an option, you can increase your intake of vitamin D by eating foods such as fatty fish (salmon or tuna), eggs and mushrooms. You can also take vitamin D supplements which are available at most health shops and pharmacies.

Add Lemon
Lemons provide a great vitamin C boost. Vitamin C is vital for maintaining general health and sufficient intake of vitamin C may be useful in staving off those nasty winter colds and the flu. An age old remedy for a sore throat is to gargle with lemon water or drink hot water with lemon and honey. Not only are lemons full of vitamin C they also have anti-bacterial, digestive system and liver cleansing properties. A great way to start a cold morning is with a cup of hot water with lemon. Alternatively add a slice of lemon to your herbal tea or a glass of cold, filtered water.

Soak Yourself
Light a few candles, run a warm bath, add some oils or salts and relax. As well as warming up a cold body, a hot bath has numerous health benefits. A hot bath has a similar effect to a massage and aids deep muscle relaxation which is perfect post-exercise or if you are feeling stressed. Also if your bath is hot enough to induce a little sweating you will be getting rid of toxins, stimulating circulation of blood and drainage of lymph – a full detox. A long, hot bath has psychological benefits too. It allows us to unwind, relax and forget about the pouring rain outside. If you add oils or salts such as coconut oil, your dry winter skin will be moisturised as well as detoxed.

Do YogaIt is very easy to retreat the cosiness of the sofa when it gets dark and chilly. However, in order to avoid that winter coat of excess weight we need to keep our bodies moving. Yoga tones, strengthens and improves flexibility but what differentiates yoga from other forms of exercise is the effect that it has on our mind. Research has shown that practicing yoga three times a week can help fight off depression, such as seasonal affective disorder. The reason for this is that the practice of yoga boosts levels of the amino acid GABA in the brain which is vital for a calm and relaxed mind. Low GABA levels are associated with depression and other anxiety disorders. Even if it is miserable outside, yoga is an activity that you can do without having to leave the warmth of your house. Get yourself a yoga mat and a good yoga dvd, light some candles, put on some relaxing music and do your own practice. Or if you aren’t confident enough to practice on your own, most yoga teachers do private sessions or lead small groups at their clients’ homes.

Eat SoupSoup is a wonderful winter meal. A hot bowl of healthy soup can warm, comfort and nourish us. Soups are so easy to make and can be incredibly nutritious. You can also make big batches and freeze soup so you have a quick, healthy dinner for when you get home from work on a blustery, dark evening. The best winter soups make use of seasonal ingredients such as sweet potatoes, squashes, leeks and parsnips. Unfortunately a lot of ready-made soups are loaded with sugar, salt, cream and preservatives. However, soups are so quick to make and by making your own you can keep them healthy. My favourite winter soup recipe is below:

Ingredients
* 3 big sweet potatoes
* 4 or 5 cloves of garlic
* 2 big sticks of celery (cut into small pieces)
* 1 big white onion (finely chopped)
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 teaspoon medium curry powder
* 2 teaspoons of garam masala powder
* 4 cups of vegetable stock
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* sea salt and black pepper
* fresh coriander

Method
Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Cut the sweet potatoes into thick rounds and place on a baking tray. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over them and sprinkle some sea salt and black pepper. Place the garlic cloves onto the baking tray with the sweet potatoes. Place the tray in the oven and bake the sweet potatoes and garlic for around 45 minutes or until they are soft.

While the sweet potatoes are cooking, add the remaining olive oil and onion to a pan. Cook for a couple of minutes before adding the spices and the celery. Cook for a couple minutes more. Take the pan off the heat.

Boil 4-5 cups of water with vegetable stock in a pot.  Take the sweet potato out of the oven, remove the soft sweet potato from the skin and add to it to the onion/celery mix. Remove the roast garlic from its skin and add to the mix. Stir the sweet potato and garlic into the mix so that they are well covered in spices.

Add all of the vegetables to the stock and bring the pot to boil. Allow the soup to simmer for 15 minutes. After simmering, remove the pot from the heat and blend in batches until it is smooth. Add more water if it is too thick.

Congratulations to Herbalife New Presidents Team Members.

David Bevan and Jane Clark achieved the special honor of becoming 
Chairman’s Club Members in the United Kingdom! 
Incomes applicable to the individuals (or examples) 

David first came across Herbalife while working as an electrician in the United States, when he met someone who was wearing a “Lose Weight Now, Ask Me How” button. After returning to the United Kingdom, David met Jane, who at the time was earning £800 per month as a financial advisor. They were both looking
for other opportunities.

They were very excited when they saw real results in their first month as Herbalife Independent Distributors! They were organized and had good working practices. They reached the President’s Team level four years after they had started, thanks to their commitment to the business and the products, as well as
being focused on their goals and targets. They credit their success to the fact that they have always strived to maintain a Supervisor mentality and drive for the business while ensuring they have a President’s Team attitude at all times.

Business methods: Use, Wear, Talk; advertisements and flyers; Internet; referrals; and Weight Loss Challenge / trial packs. David and Jane also actively train their own organization through a system of organizational meetings around the United Kingdom.

Herbalife has given them the freedom and opportunity that they always sought. They travel the world meeting and working with new people and creating friendships in every country. They know they could retire from the business today; however, they have chosen to continue working hard every single day.

Their organization is like their family, and their goals today are to work with them and help each one of them to reach the President’s Team and Chairman’s Club with them.
Thank you, Herbalife!

This article once again highights the importance of sleep in our health and most certainly our skin!

If you do one thing this week… Get Your Beauty Sleep

IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK… GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP
October 21, 2013Beauty, If You Do One Thing This Week...
Frankie Rozwadowska reveals how getting your beauty sleep is one of the most important factors when it comes to great skin…

It is not just a saying or an old wives’ tale – sleep really does make you more beautiful. Heidi Klum gets 10 hours a night, whilst Penelope Cruz clocks up 12 – and Eva Mendes claims she would get the gold medal if sleep became an Olympic sport. And with glowing skin like theirs, we want in on the sleep action. Those glorious hours when we are dreaming of magical lands or Ryan Gosling (admit it) are when our skin goes through vital processes of restoration and repair, and when our metabolic rate rises to replenish dead cells at the surface. Sleep also helps support a healthy immune system, enabling our bodies to not only banish blemishes but also fight off infections – warding off illness and boosting mental wellbeing. It is therefore a vital process in keeping us young, beautiful and in good health, making it extremely worrying to learn that the majority of us aren’t getting enough of it. Today sleep is seen as a luxury and not a necessity, and a whopping one in three people suffer from sleep problems. The result? We’re turning into a world of puffy-eyed, energy-less zombies, surviving on sugar and Starbucks to make it through the day. Not a pretty sight…

Not enough sleep can lead to a startling array of health issues, from depression and anxiety to weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and memory loss, as well as making us look tired and old. Most of us need an average of eight hours sleep a night, but this can range from 6-10 hours depending on the individual. If you wake up feeling groggy and are in need of a nap come the afternoon, it’s safe to say you are not getting enough shut-eye – and we all know what that feels like. It’s hard to concentrate, you have less energy and motivation to do anything, you feel more emotional and irritable and you are less likely to want to exercise. If just one night of too little sleep can have this effect, you can imagine the damage repeated sleep loss can have on your mind, body and beauty. Sleep boosts immunity and gives your cells time to repair themselves, as it’s when our growth hormone is secreted. This hormone is anabolic, meaning it helps to build up proteins needed to repair cells and tissues. Sleep also allows your brain the time to ‘reorganise’ thoughts and emotions, keeping us mentally balanced and physically healthy.

Lack of sleep not only makes you feel lousy, but it puts extra stress on the body. Increasing levels of stress hormones mean one thing – wrinkles. And lots of them. Instead of battling nasty environmental factors like pollution and sunlight, at night our systems focus on repairing damage caused during the day, and without this key time period skin becomes more sensitive and irritated. During the day, the sympathetic system is in control – keeping blood flow near the core of the body. But whilst you’re dreaming away, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over – directing the flow of blood to the skin. This increase of oxygen in the skin’s cells allows receptors in the blood vessels to obtain amino acid molecules, which help drain toxins and fluids whilst building collagen. This means no puffiness and instead, supple, smooth skin. Not enough shut-eye also means higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which causes increased inflammation and the acceleration of ageing and worsening of blemishes. It also reduces the skin’s ability to stay hydrated, making for a dull, lacklustre complexion.

Researchers at Estée Lauder delved further into sleep’s impact on skin, and their recently commissioned research at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Ohio tested 60 women aged between 30 and 49, with half the group having their sleep cut short. Using UV light exposure to monitor the results, the outcome was staggering – with those who had insufficient sleep showing twice the signs of skin ageing than those who got a good night’s kip. They also discovered that those with good sleep patterns had 30% higher moisture retention levels and were able to recover faster from environmental factors that cause stress to the skin, including sun damage and pollution. Elma Baron, the lead scientist, revealed that their study “is the first to conclusively demonstrate that inadequate sleep is correlated with reduced skin health and accelerates skin ageing. Sleep deprived women show signs of premature skin ageing and a decrease in the skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure.”

So how can you turn around your terrible sleep habits and boost your beauty regime? In a recent experiment conducted by Dr. Michael Mosley and sleep researcher Dr. Katharina Wulff at the University of Surrey, one of the biggest problems they found was the use of technology. This means watching TV or checking your emails before you turn out the light. Even sending a text message or a quick tweet can impact your night’s sleep, as electronics and technology stimulate the brain – switching it on, not off. Artificial ‘blue’ light prevents the release of the sleep-promoting hormone, melatonin, and enhances alertness, not exactly what you want when you’re about to go to sleep. So avoid these activities and replace them with relaxing experiences like having a warm bath, reading a book or listening to music, which allow both our bodies and minds to slow down and start the resting process. So the next time you’re tempted to post a quick picture on Instagram or catch-up with the Kardashians, wait ‘til the morning. You’ll sleep, and look better for it.

They also uncovered that diet plays a key factor in how we sleep. In a world of processed, sugar-laden meals and coffee shops on every corner, it’s little wonder that what we are putting in our bodies is affecting how we are turning them off. Before bed avoid sweets and caffeine, but also heavy, fatty meals. Consuming a big stodgy meal at night means your digestive system goes into overdrive – likely to lead to a disturbance in sleep. One top tip is to have a light meal, early in the evening. Think yoghurt, fresh fruit and vegetables. A glass of warm milk is also said to have a relaxing effect, as do foods rich in magnesium – so eat lots of green leafy vegetables, pumpkin seeds, whole grains and almonds. Of course they all work wonders on feeding your skin with essential nutrients too! Or a particular favourite of mine is a big cup of chamomile tea – a herbal healer renowned for its calming effect. Other natural remedies include lavender, lemon balm and valerian root, so look out for products containing these sleep-inducing saviours in your local health store.

So shut down, turn off and get some shuteye. You’ll feel better, look younger and be healthier for it – turning you into a Sleeping Beauty fit for a fairy-tale. What a dream.