Why Sleep Is So Important For Weight Loss

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need seven-to-nine hours of sleep per night in order to be healthy and for their bodies to safely perform at their peaks. But did you know that getting the recommended amount of sleep is also important for weight loss? Here’s why.

Why Sleep Is Necessary For Weight Loss

Sleep is of utmost importance when it comes to your health. It has been proven to help boost immunity and cognitive function. Lack of sleep has been linked to the development and management of a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Unfortunately, between 38 to 39 percent of adults ages 25 to 54 get fewer than seven hours of sleep per night, and this insufficient amount of sleep can also affect weight loss.

According to the Mayo Clinic, not getting enough sleep can affect how much you eat. Because your hormones are regulated when you’re getting your ZZZ’s, when you’re sleep deprived, your hunger hormones become out of whack, which increases feelings of hunger and decreases satiety. This explains why you may crave everything in sight on days following a night’s sleep of less than seven hours — especially high-fat and high-carb options.

Being well rested also affects the amount of energy your body expends to do physical activity. If you’re tired, not only won’t you want to exercise, but your metabolism is also affected negatively.

Trying to follow a specific diet? Skimping on shut-eye won’t help with that, either. According to the National Sleep Foundation, people who get less than six hours of shut-eye a night are more likely to eat out instead of cooking at home.