You may be skeptical, or think this is too good to be true. But, researchers from New York Obesity Research Center, have found that insufficient sleep could cause weight gain.
In their experiment, they found that those who slept for only four hours, ate more calories the next day, than when they slept for a longer period of time.
For women, that equalled 329 calories more. For men it was 263 calories more.
If you frequently get insufficient sleep, you can see how this could easily result in weight gain.
Another problem was that the types of food typically chosen during those nights of sleep deprivation, tended to be unhealthy, including ice cream, and other high fat foods.
How To Sleep Better
So, if your sleep pattern is poor, here are 5 tips…
1. Get More sleep
Pretty standard advice, but most people need around 6-8 hours of sleep each night.
2. Establish a Routine
Try taking a warm bath before bed, have a cup of green tea, and don’t watch TV or use the computer for 30 minutes before you intend to sleep.
This will help you get over to sleep more easily, if you find it difficult.
3. Make Sleep a Priority
Most people don’t see sleep as something that important.
However, when you get a good nights sleep, you will be more able to cope with your days activities and stresses, and it goes without saying, that it also improves your health long-term.
4. Go To Bed Earlier
Most of us try to get everything done the night before, but it’s actually better to go to bed earlier, and get up earlier the next day.
If you still have some tasks to do, why not set your alarm to finish things up the next morning?
You will more than likely find that you feel a lot more productive, when you get a good nights sleep and feel refreshed.
5. Notice How Good You Feel
Take time to notice how well you actually feel after a good nights sleep.
This will help you to maintain this behavior change, and make it part of your routine for life.
Hopefully, you will quickly start noticing that your waistline is getting smaller, too, as a result.