Sleep Loss and Weight Gain - Is There a Connection?

Sleep is essential. When we sleep, we repair our mental and physical condition. And in the morning we feel refreshed and relaxed.

But when we do not sleep enough, then we could suffer depression, heart disease, hypertension, tremors, irritability or even obesity. It is proven that lack of sleep increases the level of an appetite hormone called Cortisol and decreases the level of a hormone that makes you feel satisfied - Leptin. The result may be overeating and weight gain.

Except for this, sleep deprivation can cause obesity by affecting our behavior.
People are often too tired to exercise. They usually feel exhausted and do not want or even do not have the energy and motivation to do just simple exercises. They rather go to sleep, than go physical.

People who cannot sleep well tend to eat more sweets, chips, cakes, fries, burgers, soft drinks, etc. The extra calories, brought on by these snacks, are not needed by the body and they will be stored as body fat.

According to experts, most people need seven to nine hours per night. But there are some adults who can do with less, and others who need more to be in top condition during the day.

Until now a lot of people do not know exactly how much sleep they need. Eve Van Cauter, professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, recommends this: "The next time you are on vacation, just sleep as much as you can the first two or three days. This way you can pay off your sleep debt, she declares. And when you start sleeping well, record how much you sleep, plus or minus 15 minutes. That will be your sleep need or capacity."

So, getting your sleep problems determined and treated could be the first step in accomplishing your goals about losing weight. If you have tried everything to lose weight and nothing has changed, just do not give up. Lack of sleep may be the reason that keeps you away from achieving the perfect body and condition you want.

The simple thing you should do is to sleep more or at least as much as you feel good with, relax more often and enjoy life! weight loss, losing weight, sleep loss, weight, slimmer, thinner