With obesity on the rise across the world, most of us are aware of the importance of keeping our body weight in check. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly are often the focus for those looking to lose a few extra pounds. However, one factor which could be contributing to a person being overweight, which rarely receives as much attention, is sleep loss.
Why quality sleep matters for weight loss
It is no great secret that sleep is an imperative biological need for humans to function correctly. In addition to lack of quality sleep affecting our ability to function during everyday tasks, it has also been associated with negative implications on human health, one of which is obesity. Inadequate sleep, both in terms of quality and quantity, is said to affect around 35-45% of the Australian population. Research has shown that regularly sleeping for less than the required 6-7 hours per night and irregular sleep patterns are associated with higher BMIs. What’s even more shocking is that a recent study found that even a single night of sleep deprivation was likely to increase hunger and food cravings in women, which in turn led to overeating and thwarted attempts at weight loss.
Tips to improve your sleep
If you think your lack of quality sleep is negatively affecting your weight and general health, here are a few top tips to help you get your snooze on more effectively.
- Firstly, give yourself the time to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Keep your caffeine consumption low and ideally, stick to getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
- We all enjoy letting our hair down once in a while but avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- We live in an age where we are constantly connected via our electronic devices; as hard as it may be, reduce screen time at least an hour before you plan to sleep.
- Instead of watching TV or browsing the internet before bed, go back to basics and try reading. This eases your mind before sleep.
- Other forms of relaxation, such as some gentle stretches or mindfulness exercises, could also help your ease into the land of nod.
- Create a routine where you aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
In short, sleep is an essential element of the balanced lifestyle needed to maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to prioritise rest along with the classic combination of a good diet and regular exercise. Good luck.