One thing we all have in common is sleep. We spend about one third of our days in a restful state with our eyes closed to the world.  Our body needs sleep to perform and our brain needs it to restore balance.

The term beauty sleep is a real science-backed phenomenon as lack of sleep may lead to dull skin, wrinkles and puffiness. Ideally we should be getting a minimum 8 hours sleep but this is easier said than done when life gets hectic and out of hand. And it’s true, sleep is not a given. Some people can’t sleep or won’t sleep for various different reasons. While others just can't get enough.

Most of us fall into one of these sleeping categories...

Early Risers - this type of sleeper is generally organized and sensible in life. They are ahead of themselves from sunrise and start to get sleepy in the early evening.  

Night Owls- the night owls are more of a rebellious breed who refuse to conform with such things as early nights. They like to stay up late watching any mindless entertainment on TV in order to prolong the day.

Nappers - this type of sleeper finds it easy to fall asleep but has difficulty sleeping for long periods. Being able to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, this is not an issue for nappers.

Foghornettes - this deep sleeper could sleep at an airport, nightclub or in the middle of battle field. Noise is not an issue (no ear plugs required).  Waking up fresh can be difficult .. the foghornettes tend to enjoy lie-ins

Pin Droppers - at the other end of the spectrum are the pin droppers who would wake at the softest of sounds (ear plugs required). Light sleepers need complete silence to get through the night and should try to avoid sleeping in the same room as the night owl. 

Pandas - aptly named for those who often have problems falling asleep. Pandas can have dark circles due to sleep deprivation and often have to use medication or meditation to improve sleep patterns.

It is important for people to maintain a healthy and regular sleeping cycle for optimal performance and appearance. The ‘Circadian Rhythm’ is our internal body clock that is said to control sleep/wake cycles as well regulating our metabolism, hormone balance and mental acuity. Read more here as well as some tips to manage and maintain the circadian rhythm (www.sleepfoundation.org).