By Everything Lifestyle Staff

Get your Zzz's

The Connection Between Sleep and Weight Loss

Dec 23, 2024 | 4:55 AM

Having more time to eat is not the only reason why a lack of sleep affects your waistline.

Sufficient sleep plays an important role in weight management. Yet according to the National Sleep Foundation, adults are falling short on their sleep. Instead of getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night, the average American adult sleeps just 6 1/2 hours per night during the work week.

How much you sleep and even the quality of your sleep may influence hormonal activity related to your appetite, which in turn can have a direct effect on your weight. In fact:

• Sleeping less than 6 hours decreases levels of leptin, the hormone that makes you feel full, and increases ghrelin, the hormone that makes you hungry. This increases your body’s likelihood of storing more body fat.
• The stress hormone cortisol is higher the less you sleep, which can increase abdominal fat stores.
• Fatigue, sleep and hunger have very similar psychological characteristics. Thus, when you’re feeling sleepy, you might feel the urge to head for the fridge instead of bed.

Adequate sleep restores us physically, mentally and emotionally. Getting enough rest is also an important component of weight management.

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4 tips for a better night’s sleep:

• Limit caffeine after noon.
• Avoid stimulating activities at least an hour or more before bed. This includes phone calls, TV and Internet.
• Take a warm bath with Epsom salts. This can work wonders!
• Keep your room cool, dark and quiet — try darkening shades and/or a night mask.

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_{Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD}