We all know how hard it is to wake up in the morning, especially when we went to bed too late! Sleep is crucial for our overall performance throughout the day. Did you know that sleep is just as important as good nutrition and exercise? Many people don’t give their time in bed much thought, but they should start! Healthy eating and physical activity are a great start to becoming healthier, but they are nothing without rest. Overall optimal health can only be achieved with good sleep…so get some z’s people! Below, we’ll touch on three outcomes of not getting enough sleep…you’ll be so shocked you’ll jump right into bed for a nice long sleep.
Why Sleep Is So Important For Our Overall Health
Poor Sleep Can Lead To Weight Gain
There is strong evidence proving that poor sleep is strongly linked to weight gain. Those who clock fewer hours during the night tend to weigh more than those who get the recommended amount for adults (8 hours). Interestingly enough, less than 6 hours of sleep per night is one of the strongest risk factors for obesity. Why is this, do you ask? When you don’t get enough sleep, hormones fluctuate, and one’s motivation to exercise usually decreases. For those attempting to drop a few pounds, it is crucial to get the recommended hours of sleep to ensure your weight loss goes as planned.
The More Hours You Sleep, The Fewer Calories You Consume
The more you sleep, the less you eat…so you can guess that those who clock less hours in bed, are eating way more. Those who are sleep-deprived usually have bigger appetites, so they are ingesting more calories. Appetite hormones are disrupted when the body doesn’t get enough sleep, causing poor appetite regulation. Ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates appetite, is raised, and Leptin, the hormone that suppresses appetite, is reduced.
Good Sleep Leads To Improved Exercise
Good sleep, as you know, has many benefits. It has also been proven that getting a good nights sleep can enhance athletic performance! A study assessing a basketball team’s sleep had impressive results. The players who slept longer had improved speed, reaction times, accuracy and mental well-being. Another study conducted on over 2,800 women found that bad sleep led to greater difficulty performing independent activities, lower grip strength, and slower walking.
These are only three of the many benefits to getting a good night of sleep…so, go rest up!