Every person knows that sleep is good for health. But did you know that getting enough of it can also help to lose weight? It sounds crazy, but it’s true! Getting complete sleep does not only make you feel better; it also affects how your body manages its weight.
This is what happens when you sleep:
Sleep and your Appetite: When a person doesn’t get enough sleep, their body freaks out. This means that hunger and fullness hormones start to misbehave. The hormone ghrelin stimulates appetite, and what do you think about it? Do you know that with lack of sleep, this hormone increases at least twice?! Simultaneously leptin, which tells you when to stop eating, goes down. Consequently, one gets more hungry and craves junk food.
Sleep and your Metabolism: When sleeping, all systems in the body are resting. At night the brain regulates those hormones that control calorie burning rate. In case there is not enough restful sleep, this process malfunctions. So lack of proper rest can result in slower metabolism leading towards reduced calorie burning hence difficulties in shedding extra pounds.
Sleep and your Motivation: Feeling sleepy makes everything seem harder for you including dieting or exercising properly. It is important to have enough sleep since when you are well-rested, you can make healthy choices and go to the gym more often to help one in shedding off weight.
Hence, how much sleep do you need? Most adults need around 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Below are some ways that may help you to fall asleep quicker:
- Stick to a routine that includes going to bed and waking up at the same time every day including weekends.
- Develop a calming evening pattern such as taking warm baths or reading books before sleeping.
- Ensure your bedroom is dim, quiet, and cool.
- Avoid screens (phones, laptops, TVs) for a minimum of one hour before sleeping last but not least.
Remember: slow and steady wins the race. Therefore prioritizing good sleep; means you are giving your body what it needs to be successful. So cuddle down, take a nap, and watch the pounds drop off (well maybe not drop but yeah right)!
