There’s many factors involved in efficient and healthy weight loss, but did you know you can lose weight by sleeping? Of course, we don’t recommend staying in bed all day as a crash effort to slim down…if only it were that easy.
If you didn’t get much sleep last night, don’t feel alone. The vast majority of people in today’s society state that they didn’t either. Our busy work life, family commitments and social calendars keep us quite busy these days. And let’s not forget to check our email and see what’s going on over at Facebook. With all this flurry of activity going on, sleep is where we must cut corners if we are to get everything done.
This pattern is somewhat disturbing in relation to good health. A healthy lifestyle depends greatly on a quality diet and a regular fitness agenda, but there’s also the importance of getting proper rest. Sleep is something that our busy schedules rarely leave time for, but is an essential part of good health and shouldn’t be neglected.
Sleep deprivation creates stress on our bodies. Body stress elevates blood pressure which increases the chance for stroke and heart attack. The reason for this stress is due to the body’s inability to function efficiently due to fatigue. You’re basically functioning on a half charged battery. Your energy level is low, brain function is reduced and you’re somewhat lethargic at every level. The lack of sufficient rest can affect the outcome of your day in many ways. Motor skills, thought processes, and even speech all suffer greatly. This affects the ability to focus.
Where does the weight loss come in?
Sleep deprivation greatly affects your body’s metabolism. It decreases your base-line metabolic rate as well as the insulin secreted after eating which is responsible for the proper sugar metabolism. In a nutshell…that’s how we burn calories.
The end result is high blood sugar, leaving you feeling a little strange and often low in energy. These conditions will affect not only how you feel, but also your ability to control your weight in a healthy manner. As you begin to develop an unhealthy sleeping pattern, your body will begin to function differently. But, as soon as you return to a healthy sleeping pattern, your body’s functions will quickly return to a normal, healthy level. So, in essence you are sleeping your way to weight loss.
Getting the proper amount of rest
It all begins with a good night’s sleep. Without it, the brain and nervous system is denied the opportunity to shut down and reset for the next day. Recharging the body is essential to good health. If you’re not getting at least eight hours of sleep each night, it’s time to take control of your life and determine why not. Schedules might need to be reworked. Priorities may need to be reevaluated.
If getting the proper amount of sleep per night is absolutely impossible, consider a nap. People underestimate the power a nap offers, especially the power nap. Power naps consist of a 20 to 30 minute snooze. The constant rush of activity can leave your day whizzing right by, often with little opportunity to organize yourself and focus on what is needed. Power naps provide not only a moment to reset, they provide you with the opportunity to refocus your efforts and function more efficiently. Power naps are as easy as kicking back in your office chair of the reclined seat of your car.
Anyone who knows the basics of weight loss and management will agree that many factors contribute to achieving their goals. Keep in mind that healthy sleeping patterns are one of them.
To learn more about the importance of sleep and how it affects health, visit the Sleep Foundation.
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