The Most Unused Key to Weight Loss – Sleep

Our busy lives

One thing about life now is we are always busy. Especially in America the demands on our time affects us a lot.

We have work. If we are lucky we only work 40 hours. For many it is more than that with a part time job added to our lives. Then there are church and social events. If there are children in the household, then you can multiply the demands exponentially.

With all these demands on our time the one thing that seems to suffer is our sleep. Most Americans are sleep deprived. I know many people who are use to a 5 to 6 hour sleep routine.

Many people end up staying up late to get things done around the house or they have too much on their mind to sleep, then they have to wake up early to make it to work. Sleep ends up being one of those things in life that has to be sacrificed on a regular basis, but is it really worth the sacrifice?

If you are not getting sufficient sleep at night, keep reading and find out why you may want to increase the amount of time you are sleeping. There are many benefits to getting a good night’s sleep.

The benefits of sleep

1. Productivity

The first thing, that is kind of obvious, is when you sleep enough you wake up rested and you actually become more productive because you have more energy.

When you haven’t slept enough you are more sluggish and can’t think straight, but when you are properly rested your mind focuses better and your energy level is higher.

Many think that they are losing valuable time by sleeping, but in reality you probably get just as much done rested as you would if you are tired.

2. Better Sports Performance

Someone involved in sports benefits from more sleep because a rested body is better able to handle the rigors of their activity.

Also someone who exercises to keep in shape would do well to get sufficient sleep because the body needs that time to recuperate from their physical efforts.

This is especially true when it comes to weightlifting or bodybuilding.

Bodybuilders need extra sleep because when they lift weights they breakdown their muscle tissue and during the inactivity of sleep the muscle repairs itself, which results in stronger and bigger muscles.

3. Preventing Depression

Everyone who has ever gone a day or two without sufficient sleep has experienced the moodiness that affects you.

Compound that over and over if you have a sleep disorder of any kind. Lack of sleep brings you down. If you have been moody for any length of time consider whether you are getting enough sleep.

Being well rested boosts your energy and your spirits.

4. Stabilizes blood sugar preventing type 2 diabetes

According to Webmd.com when you reach a deep sleep cycle, your glucose levels drop, but if you don’t allow yourself enough sleep time to get into this deep sleep cycle, then your body doesn’t have the time to do this which can put you on a dangerous path towards type 2 diabetes.

5. Prevents heart disease

When you sleep your blood pressure actually lowers. Not only do you get some rest, but this gives your heart some rest as well.

6. Boosts the immune system

It has been found in studies that people who do not get sufficient sleep are more susceptible to getting sick. So it is probably better to spend time in bed to prevent getting sick rather than being stuck in bed until you are feeling better.

Sleep and losing weight

By now, you can see sleep has a way of helping the body regulate and reset itself each night. If you don’t get enough sleep your body doesn’t have enough time to repair itself. The same is true with weight control.

Sufficient sleep allows the body’s hormones balance themselves. Our hormones is what controls our appetite. If our hormones are not balanced then we start craving food.

Unfortunately the food we crave is not healthy food but food that is high in calories, especially starchy and sugary carbohydrates. Of course once we eat these foods, we put on the extra weight.

I noticed myself that when I got at least 8 hours sleep I felt so much better and there was a definite difference on the scales. When I had to adjust to a new job it took me a while to get use to the new schedule and until I did it prevented me from losing weight. Once I got back to sleeping enough then I started losing weight again.

What is the right amount of sleep?

Most of the things I have read all suggest that for adults it is necessary to get at least 7 to 9 hours sleep every night. Children and teens actually need more. Anything under 7 hours will leave you sleep deprived and is not sufficient for the health benefits of sleep, especially weight loss.

Personally I do best with 8 hours. That is my goal each night though many times a little over 7 is what I get.

I have also read that getting too much sleep can be detrimental to your health. Don’t overdo it. Studies have shown those getting 10 or 11 hours sleep regularly actually lose some of the benefits they would have gained by 8 hours sleep.

So, if at all possible, try to get at least 7 to 9 hours sleep. Your body will appreciate it. If you are having difficulty losing weight this might be the key to why you are not losing.

As always take care of yourself and have a wonderful and blessed day