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SLEEP MORE WEIGHT LESS

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It’s true. Being short on sleep can really affect your weight. While you weren’t sleeping, your body cooked up a perfect recipe for weight gain. When you’re short on sleep, it’s easy to lean on a large latte to get moving. You might be tempted to skip exercise, get takeout for dinner, and then turn in late because you’re uncomfortably full. Getting enough shut-eye is as important to health, well-being, and weight as are diet and exercise. 

Your Sleepy Brain

Skimping on sleep sets your brain up to make bad decisions. It dulls activity in the brain’s frontal lobe, the locus of decision-making and impulse control. So it’s a little like being drunk. You don’t have the mental clarity to make good decisions.

When you’re overtired, your brain’s reward centers rev up, looking for something that feels good. So while you might be able to squash comfort food cravings when you’re well-rested, your sleep-deprived brain may have trouble saying no to the second slice of cake.

Sleep & Metabolism

Sleep is like nutrition for the brain. Most people need between 7 and 9 hours each night. Get less than that, and your body will react in ways that lead even the most determined dieter straight to Ben & Jerry’s.

Too little sleep triggers a cortisol spike. This stress hormone signals your body to conserve energy to fuel your waking hours. 

Tricks and Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep

  • Shut down your computer, cell phone, and TV at least an hour before you hit the sack.
  • Create a bedtime ritual. It’s not the time to tackle big issues. Instead, take a warm bath, meditate, or read.
  • Stick to a schedule, waking up and retiring at the same times every day, even on weekends.
  • Watch what and when you eat. Avoid eating heavy meals and alcohol close to bedtime, which may cause heartburn and make it hard to fall asleep. And steer clear of soda, tea, coffee, and chocolate after 2 pm. Caffeine can stay in your system for 5 to 6 hours. 
  • Turn out the light. Darkness cues your body to release the natural sleep hormone melatonin, while light suppresses it.

It’s true. Being short on sleep can really affect your weight. While you weren’t sleeping, your body cooked up a perfect recipe for weight gain. When you’re short on sleep, it’s easy to lean on a large latte to get moving. You might be tempted to skip exercise, get takeout for dinner, and then turn in late because you’re uncomfortably full. Getting enough shut-eye is as important to health, well-being, and weight as are diet and exercise. Learn more about sleep and the top 3 supplements for sleep.

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