It turns out the old expression beauty sleep may have merit after all. Studies have shown that a good night’s rest has a strong correlation with perceived attractiveness and weight loss.
In a study published by Royal Society Open Science journal, researchers photographed 25 participants after days of both restricted and normal sleep. Then, they asked 65 women to rate the study's participants on how much they'd like to socialise with them, as well as attractiveness, health, sleepiness, and trustworthiness.
The general consensus was that people who had fewer hours of sleep were rated as less approachable and attractive. Results showed a lack of sleep is visibility conveyed in one’s face via skin's paleness, dark circles, and droopy or swollen eyelids. When the participants were photographed after two consecutive days of just four hours of sleep a night, they were viewed as less attractive, less healthy, and even untrustworthy.
Judgement of attractiveness is often subconscious and we are able to pick up on small cues like whether someone looks tired or unhealthy.
So next time you’re tempted to binge on some Netflix till the early hours…think again!
