[dropcap]W[/dropcap]eight gain is easy, but it is weight loss that can be difficult. People tend to have the notion that if you exercise and eat relatively healthy, the weight should just melt off of you. This is correct, however, there is a correlation between sleep and weight loss that people either forget or is not aware of, to begin with.
It doesn’t seem possible that how much sleep a person gets can affect their body weight, but it is possible. Sleep is the fuel of the body and mind, and without proper sleep, a person can find themselves anxious, irritated, and prone to injuries that take forever and a day to heal! But why? Well, sleep repairs the body and rejuvenates the muscles along with their surrounding tissue. Have you ever noticed the aches and pains of a solid workout take longer than your fellow gym-goers to heal? You might not be getting adequate sleep in your daily life.
Read on below to find out the relationship that sleep can have on a person’s weight loss and how proper sleep can assist you in your exercise goals!
Lack of Sleep Versus Diet
If you find yourself sleep deprived, a large coffee loaded with cream and sugar sounds like a good energy booster, right? It is, for a short period of time and then the energy is gone, crashing down around you in a heap. So you reach for another one and pair it with some cookies or chips. The empty calories only stop your hunger and grogginess for a short amount of time, and this pattern continues. Next thing you know, your entire daily allotment of calories is gone and nothing about it has been good for your body.
Clinical studies have shown that a lack of sleep can impact the body’s ability to recognize when you are hungry and when you are full. How? The hormones that send these feelings to the brain are changed, including two important ones called ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin is the hormone that tells your mind that you are ready to eat, and leptin is the hormone that signals your brain that you are full. Without proper sleep, leptin production is decreased whereas ghrelin production is ramped up.
Sleep as Fuel
The body needs fuel to run the same as any other piece of machinery. Sleep and diet is the gasoline of the body and mind. Without proper sleep, the body can begin to shut down basic functions and dulls the mind’s ability to make decisions. Injuries are more common from a lack of clarity and reaction time, which can hamper the body’s natural healing ability during sleep. The human body will repair and restore injuries during sleep, while memories are stored in the mind at a faster rate.
Most healthcare professionals recommend the average adult get anywhere from seven to ten hours of sleep per cycle, but the sad reality is- less than one-third of adults get that. Without a proper routine, sleep can be something that is pushed aside for work, family, and friends. You may find yourself eating takeout more often than not just to save the energy that would go into cooking. Suddenly, your bad habits are imposing themselves on your family and friends, creating an unhealthy relationship with food.
The longer you go without sleep, the more the body will crave energy, and the mind tells you to find it fast. Weight gain can start to creep in due to the unhealthy eating habits you’ve developed and the lack of energy to physically do something about it. Gym time is slim to none, thanks to your body feeling like it’s been through the wringer without doing a thing. Even when you make the trip to the gym or attempt to exercise at home, you won’t be able to give it your all, and in reality, you can be doing more harm than good. This cycle can lead to multiple health, mental, and social issues.
Impaired Decision Making
Someone who is sleep deprived is similar to someone who is a little drunk. Your mind cannot process decisions and will have a decreased reaction time. You find yourself reaching for another cookie or a quick meal while thinking “just once more can’t be that bad, right?” Normally it isn’t but when you aren’t thinking clearly, it is easy to always find that one more time to reach for something that should be enjoyed as a treat.
Conclusion
A solid sleep routine is attainable, for even the busiest of souls. Set a specific bedtime that will be adhered to during the weekends and even holidays, when possible. Darken and cool your room to a comfortable sleeping temperature while avoiding stimulants an hour before bed. Avoid caffeine and sugar, which amps up the body; and put down the phone or tablet. Invest in a comfortable mattress that will contour and support your body’s physical needs to ensure uninterrupted sleep. Use numerous resources to find the best mattress for you from talking to your healthcare provider to researching all styles of mattress available on the market. Use the internet and easily find your next mattress by reading online.
Any task you set out to do is achievable with a little bit of willpower and instruction. Make little changes to your daily sleep habits until you achieved a set goal, such as an extra hour of sleep per night and when you reach the recommended amount. Set the world on fire with your newfound energy and sharp mind!
