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Discover the secret to a great passport picture

Posted by Dr Sandy on in Sleep | 169 Views | Leave a response
an awful passport picture

Passport pictures are invariably freaky, but a little beauty sleep increases the chances you won’t look like Frankenstein meets the wolfman.

A passport  picture is invariably freaky,  but a little beauty sleep increases the chances you won’t  look like Frankenstein meets the wolfman.

The photo test

Researchers in Sweden,  have validated the idea that getting good night’s sleep is the secret to good passport picture.

The researchers took photos of several people on two different occasions.

  1. Following a peaceful night’s sleep
  2. Following a night where sleep was in short supply

These photos were then shown to other people, who were asked to evaluate the overall attractiveness and health status of the person in the picture.

Only after midday

The photos weren’t taken as they rolled out of bed to avoid scaring the observers.

Not sure how you start the day, but early morning images of me would definitely be overwhelming under ALL circumstances.   I think it is the hair.   Every bit is going in a different direction, leaving the impression that I rolled out of bed and stuck my finger in an electric socket.

In this study, the photos were taken at a civilized time,  between 2 and 3 pm.

The participants were allowed to do basic grooming i.e. brush their hair and teeth but no allowed to disguise anything by applying makeup.  When they posed for the photo, they were required to adopt a “relaxed”, neutral facial expression.

The photo doesn’t lie

The stunning thing,  the casual observer could  spot whether the person had got their required dose of  sleep or not  !

So,  moral of the story is try to catch enough zees to avoid looking like something the cat dragged in when you stand before the camera.

PS. And if your’re having a mug shot done, for some or other official document,  only do it if you’ve had a good night.

  Beauty sleep: experimental study on the perceived health and attractiveness of sleep deprived people. BMJ, 341 : 6614; John Axelsson, Tina Sundelin, Michael Ingre, Eus J W Van Someren, Andreas Olsson, Mats Lekander.

Further reading

e-reader preventing man from getting to sleep

Could your e-reader be keeping you from entering dreamland ?

Electronic devices spit blue light. Since…………..blue light is something that in nature, is a morning thing, you’re more likely to have trouble falling asleep.

being grateful before bed improves sleep

Battling to sleep – it’s because you’ve stopped saying your prayers

Prayer time is time to be grateful. Researchers have found, people who are more grateful when climbing into bed, are better sleepers.

a healthy glow requires lots of yellow

Want to be the leader of the pack ? Looks count.

So what should a leader look like ? Being tall dark and handsome – will help. But, actually one of the biggest things people look for – is how healthy you look.

 

Want to LOOK GOOD ?

Join our mailing list to receive weekly science based tips & strategies that will help you create BETTER BODY CHEMISTRY, so you optimize your health – on the inside and the outside.

Posted in Sleep | Tagged photo

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Located in Johannesburg, South Africa

Disclaimer : The stories and articles are provided as a service. Dr Sandy's opinions are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe. For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.
 

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