Once you understand just how much of your suffering is attributed to a lack of sleep you can begin an integrated approach to your overall health Here are seven ways in which insomnia and your metabolism could be working against you to keep you overweight sick and tired
Youll Burn Less Fat Throughout the Day
Did you know that sleep is essential for all the biochemical processes in your body to function properly This includes your ability to burn calories and reduce injury to your cells Medical research suggests that weight gain is associated with sleep deprivation because sleep is what enables the endocrine system to produce necessary fat regulating hormones When you close your eyes for less than six hours you reduce slow wave sleep which is essential for restoring your body and supporting metabolic health If you dont sleep well you may need metabolism support to help regulate and maintain a healthy weight
Youll Feel Hungry All the Time
Not sleeping affects your cells ability to use insulin which in turn disrupts your hunger hormones When you dont sleep well you may notice you feel hungrier throughout the day Ghrelin and leptin are hormones that regulate your appetite and satiation When unbalanced because youre improperly rested these hormones cannot do their job and youll require more food to feel full Overeating leads to obesity as well as numerous other health problems like diabetes and heart failure
Youll Crave Carbohydrates and Sugar
Just because you cant sleep doesnt mean youre not tired You may be wide awake but your brain and body are in despair An exhausted mind seeks comfort and humans tend to find it in calorie dense comfort foods Studies show that a sleep deprived body takes much longer to regulate blood sugar when the diet is high carb
When youre sleepy and unmotivated its easier to reach for a box of cookies or a bag of chips instead of preparing a healthy meal Plus its harder to control yourself when youre tired allowing you to make excuses for your behavior and indulge at inappropriate times
The further danger lies in the potential risk of food addiction When you crave sugar and carbs then give in to your cravings youll likely feel rewarded at first but suffer negative penalties later on These consequences can come in the form of physical pain like stomach ache reflux or heartburn or they can be emotional like regret and self loathing Much like chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol food addiction can have very real and severe effects on your health and well being Swapping that late night bowl of sugary cereal for a full eight hours of deep restful sleep is a much better solution
Youll Lack Energy
Do you ever see your neighbors out jogging at six oclock in the morning and wonder where they find the time and oomph to get it done Youd love to have an exercise routine but youre just too tired to work out Fitness requires dedication and discipline but it also requires energy and you just dont have any to spare Chances are your sleep struggles have disrupted your cortisol levels leaving you feeling sluggish and stressed throughout the day Over time elevated stress hormones can lead to severe adrenal fatigue which causes pain and weakness
Youll Get Sicker Quicker and More Often
Lack of sleep places tremendous stress on your body When your metabolic health is out of order youre at risk for decreased immune function meaning you cant fight off disease and infection as easily as you can when youre completely healthy Sleeping less than seven hours each night makes you more susceptible to developing a sickness from the common cold to deadly heart disease
Youll Lose Relationships
Its a no brainer than when youre tired you dont want to socialize But with hormone changes caused by a sleep disorder these feelings can be prolonged or elevated Soon youll realize that youre blowing off your friends more often than not and they will too When the texts stop coming in altogether youll be tired as well as lonely
Additionally when your metabolism is off you may struggle with your self esteem not understanding why your efforts to stay in shape are failing When you dont feel good about yourself having dinner and drinks with the girls can be a painful experience As a social animal losing relationships and human connection can only compound existing health problems While youre working through your health issues its important to focus on your mental health as well Instead of retreating from your social groups and isolating yourself share your experiences and allow your friends and family to support you in your wellness journey
Youll Be at Risk for Sleep Apnea
Insomnia and weight gain create a vicious cycle of health problems A lack of sleep can contribute to obesity which can then be a risk factor for sleep apnea This is a serious disorder that deprives the brain of oxygen and impacts breathing during sleep When you repeatedly wake throughout the night gasping for air theres no way to achieve quality rest Sleep apnea is linked to a number of dangerous health issues such as heart disease diabetes high blood pressure anxiety and depression
Losing weight can help alleviate the symptoms associated with sleep apnea but diet and exercise wont be enough if you already suffer from the condition Youll need the help of a qualified sleep specialist to study your case and implement a treatment plan
You deserve to always feel your best Understanding how your sleep quality relates to your metabolic health is essential to maintaining an optimal lifestyle If you have difficulty sleeping especially for prolonged periods of time you should pay close attention to your nightly routine and make changes that support quality rest such as sticking to a sleep schedule lowering the temperature in your room and removing all electronics from the space
If you cant fall or stay asleep or if youre struggling with weight related issues that you think could be related to sleep deprivation then it may be time to seek answers from your healthcare provider
In order to start feeling better and reduce the risks of sleep related issues start by simply getting more sleep Examine your schedule and routine and find the time to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night However if you are already getting the proper amount of sleep you may have a sleep disorder that is preventing you from getting the quality of sleep you deserve
If you are struggling with any of the issues discussed in this article contact the Alaska Sleep Clinic for a free consultation Click on the image below to request your consultation today
