Who would have thought?! If you want to shed those stubborn pounds, you just need to put your favorite pair of PJs on and dive into bed. We are a nation consumed with fueling up on caffeine and putting in those extra hours at the office and getting our kids from soccer practice to karate class and making dinner somewhere in between that. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish what we need to and our sleep suffers as a result. We pack healthy lunches, skip the wine at dinner (sometimes…) and reluctantly trudge to the gym after or before work for our daily bootcamp or spin class. So why aren’t the pounds flying off??
Sleep- good, quality sleep- is crucial in weight loss success. According to a 2012 study conducted by the Dept. of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona,
“evidence suggests that individuals who report fewer total hours of sleep are more likely to be overweight or obese”.
The study, conducted on a group of women approximately 45 years of age, showed those with better quality sleep increased their likelihood of weight loss by 33%. Those receiving 7 or more hours of sleep yielded similar results also.
How to Get Make Quality Sleep a Habit
1. Create a routine or schedule and follow it.
Set a time when the emails stop and the computer turns off.
2. “Quiet Time”
Before your newly scheduled bedtime, try taking just 5-10 minutes of quiet, relaxing time to yourself to unwind your mind. Maybe even consider a nightly meditation.
3. Create a peaceful environment.
Keep it dark when sleeping. Avoid turning on, and especially leaving on, the television at night. If you’re open to it, try playing some softer, relaxing music or using a noise machine.
4. Make sleep a priority!
Just like waking up on time is a priority, getting to sleep should be as well. Don’t be afraid to say no to late night plans sometimes. This is your health!
Here’s to a slimmer, better rested you!
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