It has been reported in the media in recent years that there is a correlation between lack of sleep and weight gain. People who regularly get less than seven hours of sleep per night, are much more likely to gain weight compared to those sleeping seven or more hours per night. Why is this so?
Persons who sleep less, tend to eat foods higher in calories. During sleep, hormones such as leptin, insulin and ghrelin are released to control the body's use of food. Insulin, as most people are aware, controls blood sugar levels and people falling short on sleep have tested to have insulin and blood sugar levels similar to those likely to have diabetes. Additionally, people that do not get enough sleep regularly have higher levels of ghrelin, which causes hunger, and low levels of leptin which stimulates hunger and often fat consumption.
Beyond the above impacts, when I encounter clients skimping regularly on their sleep, I feel a need to dig further to find out what else might be going on in the way of potential self-neglect. It tells me that for one or more reasons, their health is taking a back seat. Getting a good night's rest is one of the easier, more manageable things we can do to benefit our own health. It requires little other effort other than getting to bed on time regularly. I fully recognize this is not as easy for some as it sounds, but getting quality sleep should be much less difficult than squeezing in exercise time, counting calories, planning meals, etc. If someone is not getting proper sleep, then it tells me that there are other more impactful areas in the general health quotient being ignored.
We must make sleep a priority. Technological advances though helpful, have also burdened us with an all-access, always-on sort of lifestyle that we are not benefiting from. I can remember a time when work was actually left at the office and not brought home. Multi-tasking has reached a new level, and our sleep patterns and attentions spans have paid the price.
Please strive to get your rest. The restorative qualities of sleep cannot be denied. Think of the metabolic disservice done to our bodies if our bodies are deprived of it. Remember too, that awaking with solid mental focus gives us a much better opportunity to achieve all that must be accomplished in a day's work. Live better, get more rest.
Sources:
Raheri, S. et al. (2004). Short sleep duration is associated with reduced leptin, elevated ghrelin, and increased body mass index. PLOS Medicine, 1,3,1-8
Bryant, Cedric, Green, Daniel (2009). The sleep-obesity connection. ACE Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist Manual. p.221-222
