Sleep tips for losing weight

Did you know that getting enough sleep could actually help you lose weight? It may sound like a crazy concept, but there have been numerous recent studies that show a strong link between good sleeping habits and weight loss.

Whilst it may sound strange, there are a number of common sense reasons why sleeping well can help you lose weight. One of the most obvious is that our body craves more sugary foods when we are feeling tired and listless. Not only that, but being tired makes us lazy and therefore much more likely to reach for a packet of crisps for a quick pick me up, rather than taking the time to make a healthy and nutritious meal or snack.

The Importance Of Your Bed

One of the first steps to getting a decent night's sleep is to make sure you are sleeping in a decent bed. Nowadays, even our guest beds come with comfortable, supportive mattresses that will help you head off to dream land and wake up refreshed. Mattresses should be replaced every 10 years to ensure they are at their most comfortable. After all, it's difficult to get to sleep when you have bedsprings sticking out all over the place.

It's not just having a decent bed that can help you get that all important night's sleep to aid weight loss. There are a whole host of hormone factors too, which can stop your metabolism from working at its optimum. Lack of sleep not only raises the appetite, but it can also produce levels of a hormone called ghrelin to rise. This hormone stimulates the appetite and can leave sufferers wanting to eat far more than they actually need. Not getting enough sleep will also drive down levels of a hormone called leptin. This hormone is the one that helps you feel satisfied after you eat, so when the two factors are combined, it is little wonder that lack of sleep can result in weight gain.

Do You Have a Sleep Condition?

Another factor that affects restful sleep and has been linked to weight gain is a relatively undiagnosed condition called sleep apnea. This condition causes the airways to become blocked during the night, meaning the sufferer is constantly waking up every time they need to breathe. They will usually snore pretty loudly too, making a good night's sleep difficult for everyone else in the house.

Naturally, this disrupted sleep pattern leaves sufferers feeling exhausted and interferes with the hormone levels that control appetite. It is definitely a good idea to visit your GP if you think you are suffering from sleep apnea, as this condition can lead to diabetes or a heart condition.

The Right Routine

There are a few simple tips you can use to help you get enough sleep and boost your weight loss. Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine or alcohol before you go to bed will help you get to sleep that much earlier. Having a good bedtime routine that starts about two hours before you go to bed can also help you wind down, relax and prepare your body for a good night's sleep. Try not to go to bed on an empty stomach, but don't eat a large meal before bedtime either. A simple snack like a bowl of cereal or a turkey sandwich (which is rich in the sleep inducing chemical, tryptophan) is one of the best things you can have. Finally, creating a cleansed and relaxing space to be in, away from the TV, will help you drop off in next to no time.