What is something that we always want more of but can never get enough of? Sleep! We all lead busy lives and usually it is sleep that gets neglected so we can fit in everything else. That and the dusting (come on, that’s not just me!). If you are looking to get healthier and/or lose weight, then getting enough sleep or just improving the quality of your sleep is so important and this post will tell you why.
If you want to be kept up to date on more healthy living tips like this, then please subscribe to the blog mailing list (it takes 30 seconds) and you will get sent the new recipes straight to your inbox. Your email address won’t be passed on to anyone and you will never be spammed. Click here to sign up 🙂
This weeks “Little Thing” as part of the AXA PPP healthcare 52 Little Thing challenge is focus on getting a better nights sleep, so I thought I would share with you why sleep is so important and how you can get a better night’s sleep too.
- Hormones – Sleep can affect your hormone levels and that can hinder weight loss. Leptin and ghrelin are two hormones that play an important role in stimulating and suppressing your appetite. Leptin is responsible for suppressing hunger, whilst ghrelin stimulates your appetite. Not getting enough sleep can cause lower levels of letpin and higher levels of ghrelin, which will increase your appetite. Getting enough sleep can decrease your hunger levels and therefore help with weight loss.
- Recovery – If you are working out, then making sure that your body has enough time to recover and for your muscles to repair is very important. The best and fastest way for your muscles to recover is during sleep, when you body is totally resting. If you are not sleeping enough, then your body will get fatigued and you will not be able to perform to the best of your abilities with your next workout.
- Avoiding Unhealthy Snacking – It goes without saying that if you are sleep deprived, that halfway through the day you will reach for the coffee and sugary snacks to give you an energy boost. Whilst this will give you a short boost, you will come crashing down an hour later and will end up feeling worse. Getting enough sleep will mean that you are not having the rely on sugar to give you energy.
- Improve your memory – Whilst your body might be totally resting whilst you sleep, your mind is actually pretty busy. When you are sleeping, you can actually strengthen memories and your brain practices skills that you learned whilst you were awake. So if you are pulling an all nighter to be able to memorise things for a test, getting a good night’s sleep might be a better option.
Sometimes it is difficult to get any more sleep, as there are just not enough hours in the day. Which is when it is extra important to make sure that the sleep you are getting is good quality. Like the photo above says, a warm bath can really help you to relax before you go to sleep, which can help give you a better night’s sleep. Some other tips for better sleep quality:
– Avoid caffeine past the afternoon.
– Do some gentle yoga before sleep. Any exercise more energetic than that can stimulate you and cause you to not be able to sleep.
– Make sleep a priority! Get off of Facebook 30 minutes earlier and use that time for sleep to see if it makes you feel any better.
If you feel like you have done all of those things and you are getting enough hours sleep a night, then perhaps go and see a sleep specialist to make sure that you don’t have a sleep disorder.
Weight loss and getting healthy isn’t just about working out and eating well, making sure you are getting a good nights sleep is important too.
How many hours of sleep do you get a night? Leave a comment below.
Follow HHH:
Get the RSS feed here
Want to make sure you never miss a Hungry Healthy Happy post? Make sure you have subscribed by clicking here.
Diane says
I am trying to get 7 hours a night and I am noticing the difference when I do. I still need my cup of coffee in the morning, but I can usually get away with just having one, rather than the 3 or 4 that I would need on less sleep.
Dannii says
It really does make a difference, doesn’t it.
Isobelle says
I always do some stretches before bed. It makes me feel more relaxed.
Dannii says
Me too.
Jayne says
I get about 4-5 hours a night, which is terrible. I just can’t seem to shut my brain off.
Dannii says
I find that not having too much mental stimulation before bed, like TV or the computer helps.
Rosie says
Strange comment, I know, but I love your curtains 🙂
Dannii says
Haha thanks 🙂
Sophie says
How many hours would you recommend Dannii?
Dannii says
Around 7-8 is good.
Helen says
Thanks for sharing these. I definitely need some tips on sleeping better.
Dannii says
You are welcome 🙂
Ellie says
I find that camomile tea before bed really helps. Not too big a cup though, as you will be up to pee during the night haha.
Dannii says
Haha, yes! Getting up to pee is not great for a good night’s sleep.
Beth says
I like the tip about doing some yoga stretches before bed. I am a new mum, so I am lucky if I am getting 3 hours a night, so I really need to be making sure that those 3 hours are quality sleep, which I don’t think they are at the moment.
Dannii says
Try and make the most of those 3 hours!
Michelle says
I get about 6.5 hours a night, which I think is pretty good.
Dannii says
That seems to be the average.