-An article from Reuters Women, try not to think of this if you lie awake at night: having trouble sleeping means you’re likely to gain weight. As if simply getting older weren’t hard enough, new research shows that middle-aged and older women who have trouble falling or staying asleep may pack on more pounds than their well-rested contemporaries. A number of studies have found that sleep-deprived children and adults are more likely to be overweight than those who usually get a full night’s rest. But many of those studies assessed people at one point in time, so it was hard to know which came first, the sleep problems or the excess pounds. A few studies have followed people over time, but they’ve disagreed about whether poor sleep is linked to expanding waistlines. The new findings, reported in the International Journal … Continue reading
How good is your sleep hygiene? Did you get enough last night? Its pretty universal that people typically answer this question with a strong, “No!” Our “on the go” society leaves less time for sleep as we cram more production out of each day. In a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists found a link between sleep deprivation and weight gain. According to the study, when participants had their nightly sleep amounts cut in half, from 8 hours to 4 hours, they consumed 550+ more calories per day! When you add all of those calories up, we’re talking 3500+ calories per week, which is equal to over a pounds worth of extra calories. The best way to fight off this unwanted calorie intake and potential weight gain, is to practice good sleep hygiene! It includes … Continue reading
For millions of Americans, the end of the day brings a time of reflection. This reflection typically includes thoughts about the day that has passed, and concerns that will come over the next day or two. This time of reflection can be stressful with worries that may include relationships, health, work, and money. Ironically, lack of sleep can be a downward spiral, causing your stress to increase in one or several of the areas listed above. So what are some things you can do to fight off this downward spiral of sleep deprivation? The first suggestion is to stick to a daily routine. This routine should include set wake/sleep times, cutting out caffeine and alcohol 4-6 hours before bedtime, and exercising to release stress. Talking about stressful topics should be done several hours before bedtime if possible so the mind … Continue reading
