Can Sleeping Make You Slim?

Not getting enough sleep can certainly have the opposite effect. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body goes into what medical professionals call “after-stress reaction mode” where you tend to want to eat. Not only that, but you make less wise choices when you’re tired because you are reacting with “disinhibition.” In other words, you're tired, so you lose the motivation and desire that, under well-rested conditions, you usually have to make good choices.

There’s another reason why sleep is important for our weight and our health . . . cortisol.

What is cortisol? It is known as a “stress hormone,” and it is involved in response to stress and anxiety.

What does it do? It increases blood pressure and blood sugar, and it reduces immune responses.

Sleep deprivation and stress increase our cortisol levels.

So what? If your adrenal glands are producing too much cortisol, you may develop conditions such as weight gain, especially around the abdomen. It also results in depressed immune function, which increases our susceptibility to sickness and infection, and it increases the likelihood of developing stomach ulcers.

Resistance: I think the quality of my sleep could improve.

Response:
• If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something boring (and in dim light) until you feel sleepy.
• Don't take naps that are longer than one hour.
• Get up and go to bed the same time every day.
• Develop sleep rituals. Give your body cues that it is time to slow down and sleep, like listening to relaxing music.
• With an obvious exception, use your bed for sleeping, not watching TV or doing work.
• Stay away from caffeine, nicotine & alcohol 4-6 hrs before bed.
• Take a hot shower 60 minutes before bedtime. Research shows that 60 minutes before bedtime is the optimal time.
• Make sure your bed and bedroom are quiet and comfortable.

Reward:
Quality sleep rejuvenates the body and mind, regulates mood, and is related to learning and memory functions. Not only will getting proper sleep help you perform on a test, learn a new skill or help you stay on task, but it may also be a critical factor in your health, weight and energy level.

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.”
~Irish Proverb