Sleep loss is a major problem. It has been found that a massive 75% of the population have difficulty sleeping at night. Insomnia is spreading rampantly, and stress and exhaustion during the day is becoming a common thing. Sleep is very important for many reasons; firstly, it gives you energy to make it through your working day. Secondly, sleep has been found to be a key factor in weight loss.
Yes, you heard correctly. Having a good night's sleep can aid the process of weight loss. Most people only sleep from 6 to 7 hours a night which is not considered a proper amount of sleep. It is estimated that sleeping should last around 9 to 10 hours a night. There are many reasons why people sleep so few hours but, in general, it is not going to help your health.
Research has been done regarding the subject of sleep and weight loss, it was found that those who sleep less weigh more. You burn quite a few calories when you sleep, so the longer you sleep, the more calories you burn. Sleep loss also makes people hungrier during the night, even if they have had a sufficient amount to eat beforehand. If that happens, it will throw off the balance of your body's secretion of cortisol, which is the hormone that regulates your appetite.
Sleep loss also decreases your energy levels for the following day, and you may find yourself dragging your feet and skipping much needed exercise. If sleep loss during the night becomes a constant occurrence, you will soon begin to stop all exercise and other activities that you do to stay fit and healthy.
Although people think of too much sleep as sign of being lazy, it is in fact a way of losing weight, staying fit and maintaining energy levels. So, the next time you have a lay-in, don't feel guilty.