Healthy Sleep and Weight Loss: Are They Related?

Is it often that you’re not able to sleep at night? Do you also notice a steady weight gain alongside your lack of sleep?

Well, you might be seeing these changes as poor or less sleep can prompt weight gain. It may also cause hormonal changes that increase your hunger pangs and urge for food. Apart from poor sleep, there are many other factors including your genetics, diet and exercise habits, stress, and your health conditions which may cause your weight gain. However, the fact remains that if you’re getting less than seven hours of sleep, you’ll observe a change in your weight.

Sleep and Weight Loss

A good quality sleep has a flow-on effect throughout the day. Rest, repair and restoration within the body is one of the key reasons why we sleep. After a decent sleep at night, you’ll feel more energetic as compared to days when you are sleep deprived. As a result, you'll devote more time to exercise and lead a more healthy lifestyle, hence, losing weight actively. You’ll be able to stick to healthy eating, feel more refreshed and be more productive at work.

Sleep and Your Metabolism

A study shows that even a single night’s poor sleep can slow your metabolism and at the same time, increase your appetite. When your metabolism is impaired, the body is not correctly processing the energy from meals into sustenance. This is why you tend to feel more hungry and often overeat, leading to weight gain. 

Don’t Just Count Calories- Count Sheep Too!

A study by researchers at Otago University a few years ago concluded that poor sleep is the main cause of obesity or weight gain in children and adults. To avoid these kinds of risks, it is important to devote more time and attention to your sleeping patterns. A sound sleep is equally important as a balanced diet. 

Setting up good habits and staying healthy is not as easy as it sounds, but by taking small steps towards the goal, you can make a lot of difference. Here’s how you can start simple:

• Keep a track of your sleep schedule on a regular basis. Are you getting the necessary 7-8 hours of sleep? If you still feel lethargic after seven hours of sleep, then try sleeping a bit early.
• Exercise on a regular basis or indulge in other physical activities like a run or swim.  This would increase your quality of sleep.
• You must consult a doctor if you are not able to sleep well. You may have a sleeping disorder you’re not aware of.
• Eat a balanced diet by choosing the right meals as they can make you more energetic, ultimately improving your exercise and sleeping cycle.
  

These simple steps can pave the way to leading a much healthier lifestyle. Sleep plays a key role in achieving this stage. It directly affects your health and your body. Being overweight can lead to many other disorders or conditions that affect your vital organs. Hence, a good and sound sleep is a necessity for your body.

If you think it’s difficult for you to sleep at night, you should take this sleep quiz to understand if you’re dealing with a sleep disorder.