I WISH TICK TOCK WOULD GET PEOPLE TO SLEEP!

If I told you there was something which:

helps you maintain or loose weight,

lowers your risk for diabetes and heart disease,

supports immune function,

fights inflammation and depression, would you believe me? Oh and it’s free.

IT’S SLEEP!

Getting a good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health. In fact, it’s just as important as eating a balanced, nutritious diet and exercising.

Though sleep needs vary from person to person, most adults require between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Yet, up to 35% of adults in the United States don’t get enough sleep.

Sleep deprivation can put your health and safety at risk, which is why it’s essential that you prioritize and protect your sleep on a daily basis.

Numerous studies have associated short sleep — defined as sleeping fewer than 7 hours per night — with a greater risk of weight gain and a higher body mass index (BMI).

In fact, a 2020 analysis found that adults who slept fewer than 7 hours per night had a whopping 41% increased risk of developing obesity. Meanwhile, sleeping longer didn’t increase the risk.

The effect of sleep on weight gain is believed to be affected by lots of stuff, including hormones and motivation to exercise .

For instance, sleep deprivation increases levels of ghrelin and decreases levels of leptin. Ghrelin is a hormone that makes us feel hungry while leptin makes us feel full. This may cause us to feel hungrier and overeat.

This is supported by various studies that have shown that sleep-deprived individuals have a bigger appetite and tend to eat more calories.

What’s more, to compensate for lack of energy, sleep deprivation may make you crave foods that are higher in sugar and fat, due to their higher calorie content.

Then throw in menopause, thanks hormone gods. I can give you real life strategies to sleep. Let’s increase your ZZZZs. www.illnessdoula.com