Sleeping More May Help You Lose More Weight

It’s no secret that eating more and moving less can cause unnecessary weight gain. Did you know that you could suffer the same fate if you fail to spend enough time in dreamland? According to research, there is a link between inadequate sleep and obesity.

Carefully watching one’s everyday diet and regularly going to the gym is not enough. To get rid of excess pounds, having enough sleep nightly is essential, too. Luckily, there are many things that people with insomnia may do to ensure that they are getting 7-9 hours of shut-eye every night. They range anywhere from having a cup of chamomile tea, snacking on a piece of banana to putting on a pair of cooling pajamas.

Various reasons exist why scientists say that lack of sleep may result in unwanted weight gain. Continue reading to know what they are.

Increased Appetite

Do you notice that you tend to reach for snacks more the less sleep you had the night before? Such would be an entirely normal reaction of your body if you didn’t have enough sleep. It has something to do with increased levels of insulin in your bloodstream.

Insulin is a type of hormone secreted by the pancreas. Its task is to facilitate the movement of sugar molecules from the blood to the cells. Health experts say that failure to get a good night’s sleep can cause the pancreas to produce more insulin than usual.

When that happens, you will crave food. This is especially true if there are not enough sugar molecules in the bloodstream. It is not just any food that you will long for. You will want to get your hands on some of the most sugary and carbohydrate-rich foods you can find. A diet that’s high in sugar and carbs is one of the main causes of weight gain.

It is not just obesity that can stem from increased insulin levels. It’s also a risk factor for diabetes. A type of metabolic disorder, diabetes has no cure, although it’s manageable. Failure to manage it correctly can cause many serious complications. Some of them are nerve damage, kidney failure, and heart disease.

Reduced Energy Levels

According to health experts, leading a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for obesity. If you want to lose excess pounds, you will have to burn unwanted calories before they wind up stored in the body in the form of fat cells.

Engaging in cardiovascular activities such as brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming, and playing tennis is one of the best ways to eliminate excess calories. To partake in these exercises, you will need to exert effort, which can be challenging if you don’t have enough energy. Not getting enough sleep the night before can make you feel sleepy and weak, thus hindering you from putting on a pair of sneakers and working out.

Mental health experts say that sleep deprivation can also make your mood deteriorate. It’s no secret that feeling depressed can take away your motivation and drive to carry out various activities, including going to the gym.

Conclusion

If you are trying to lose weight, make sure that you get enough sleep at night. You may try wearing cooling pajamas, drinking a warm glass of milk, or anything else proven to work very well in promoting a good night’s sleep.