ANCSLEEP BLOG

Why Good Sleep is Important for Losing/Maintaining Weight

If you're looking to shed some pounds or make weight management more effortless, prioritize finding a comfortable bed and indulging in quality sleep. Aim for a minimum of 7 hours per night, but 8 or 9 would be even better. A rejuvenating night's rest can have a profound impact on your weight loss journey, including:

- Regulating your appetite

- Increasing the frequency and intensity of your workouts

- Encouraging healthier choices

- Helping you maintain optimal stress and insulin levels, which are crucial for weight management

Lack of sleep can hinder your ability to effectively manage or lose weight in various detrimental ways. So, let's explore why good sleep is a game-changer for weight control.

Link Between Weight and Sleep

If you are trying to lose weight, or have historically struggled with managing your weight, pay attention to how much sleep you are getting. You should be getting at least 7 hours of sleep (if you are an adult), but you also might need more depending on your unique needs. When you get less than 7 hours of sleep, and thus become sleep deprived, you are likely to exhibit numerous weight-unfriendly behaviors. To boot, lack of sleep also affects your metabolism in ways you don’t want it too if you are trying to manage or lose weight.

The link between sleep deprivation and weight is well studied. What we know is that sleep deprivation:

• Triggers a cortisol spike, which tells your body to conserve energy (i.e., slow metabolism)
• Inhibits your body’s ability to produce insulin, which is integral in turning carbs/sugar in to energy or, in the case of lack of sleep, into fat
• Poor sleep can increase your appetite
• Sleep deprivation hampers your ability to make good weight-friendly choices
• Sleep deprivation hampers your ability to fight cravings
• People who are sleep deprived tend to eat more

So, if you are trying to lose weight or manage weight, pay attention! Let’s explore these topics in more detail.