Everyone is familiar with the term “beauty sleep,” referring to the idea that the more rest one gets the prettier they will look when they awake. What if that was true when it comes to weight? Research published in TIME: The Science of Sleep notes a huge connection between sleep and weight loss. Here’s why:
- Reduces cravings for junk food. After a full night of rest, people are more likely to desire better meal options because the area of the brain in charge of making rational decisions – like healthy food choices – is uninhibited.
- The belly doesn’t feel empty. During sleep, the body stabilizes the hormones responsible for hunger, making sure one feels underfed only when necessary.
- Increases likelihood of nutrition plan. Stress has been linked to weight-gain. Sleeping reduces levels of anxiety by helping stabilize those chemical imbalances. Therefore, the more you sleep, the less distraught you are, and the odds of sticking to a healthy regimen are higher.
- More energy to exercise. There’s a blurry line between sleeping too much and sleeping too little. Both can have an effect on your ability to focus and concentrate. Analysts suggest six to eight hours of sleep is enough to restore your energy levels for the next day. Thus, you will have enough drive stored to exercise.
- Bye-bye calories. According to this study, while you sleep you burn anywhere from 50 to 100 calories an hour. Health experts are finding that the perfect dose of sleep helps boost a healthy metabolism, and skipping out on a few hours can completely throw it off.
Don’t feel guilty when it’s time to catch some shut-eye. Rest assured, knowing that for every hour spent asleep, another calorie is being burned. You might even arise feeling thinner!
When Shell Point residents aren’t feeling well, they benefit from an onsite medical center, staffed by full-time physicians and ARNPs. Visit your primary care physician for an assessment if you have questions about fatigue, weight loss, or other medical conditions.