Its underrepresented how much sleep can affect the human body both long-term and on a day-to-day basis. Lack of sleep can be a trigger for various different physical and mental repercussions, and weight gain or fluctuation is one of them. That’s right, sleep is key in order to maintain a healthy desirable weight, and yet it goes unnoticed. Studies have proven that sleep and weight loss are directly correlated with one another in ways that affect all parts of the body. After various tests, a conclusion was made that individuals who get a substantial amount of sleep per night actually can maintain their weight more so than the people who don’t.
Sleep is the fuel for our bodies, it is necessary in order to control our diet and energy levels. In order for any food to digest and function correctly, it is crucial for the body to get a substantial amount of sleep that allows the digestive system to recharge. More sleep is linked to maintaining a strong immune system, a healthy metabolism, and a brain that functions at its best ability. Lack of sleep initiates a hormone release that specifically works to store and hold onto the human body’s fat. Without the necessary amount of sleep, the human body won’t be able to work off the fat due to this hormone trigger. Not only can the body not function to its fullest without rest, but it is also known to provoke laziness. The motivation to be active and healthy is key to maintaining weight, and the lack of energy prevents this motivation. Losing sleep dulls the frontal lobe overall affecting a person’s impulse control. Overall, one is not capable of making the same responsible decisions when it comes to a healthy lifestyle without allowing your body to rejuvenate, there are so many positive benefits to getting enough sleep.
But how much sleep is enough? Everyone is different, but the recommended hours of sleep are from between 7-9 hours of sleep daily. The bottom line is, in order to maintain control over your weight, having enough sleep is absolutely vital! Enriching food, an active lifestyle, and a timed sleep schedule guarantee a healthy and more manageable weight.
By: Trainer “Stretch” Shelton