The missing element to lose weight and slim down is to speed up metabolism and burn fat.
When it comes to weight loss, it’s not just about diet and exercise – there’s a big piece of the puzzle that most people overlook. It’s something so essential that you’re 74 percent more likely to be obese without it.
And what it is? Good quality sleep!
Currently, at least 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and my hunch is, the non-stop world we live in has something to do with it!
“Nobody really closes the office anymore,” says Lisa Shives, MD, at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. And, many of us are on Facebook or Twitter well into the night.
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But, how exactly does this lack of sleep cause weight gain? Sleeping less than at least 7 or 8 hours a night inhibits the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates, leading to higher insulin levels and eventually, Type 2 diabetes. And it also contributes to the nationwide obesity epidemic – people who slept only 5 hours a night have been found 74% more likely to become obese than those who slept for 7 to 9 hours nightly, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study.
While it’s always a good idea to consult your health care practitioner about the possibly of a medical condition affecting your sleep, there are some simple ways to help you sleep sounder without tossing and turning!
Watch this video for three secrets to slimmer sleep. Or read below!
1. Eat Before You Sleep
Tracking eating and sleeping habits of over 450 women in one long-term government study, researchers found the more unhealthy fats they ate, the less they slept. Alcohol and caffeine were also culprits. Avoid these sleep detractors, but do try eating a little protein in the evening to level your blood sugar before you start stacking ZZZs. Whip up a little protein drink as a night cap to help you snooze more soundly and support lean muscle mass in the process.
2. De-Stress with Magnesium
The mineral magnesium, found in leafy greens and nuts like almonds, can help you sleep through the night. If you’re low in this mineral due to stress—as most people are—try taking 400 mg of Magnesium, the calming anti-stress supplement that can contribute to a full night’s sleep without intermittent wake-ups.
3. Ground Yourself with Earthing Technology
Several studies have confirmed that when Earthing technology is used during sleep, “it normalizes the daily cortisol [stress hormone] rhythm, improves sleep, and reduces pain and inflammation,” writes James L. Oschman, PhD, in the Journal of Bodywork Movement and Therapy. I find this cortisol discovery especially promising: high levels of cortisol prevent a good night’s sleep, while impacting metabolic rate, so that you burn less fat, have cravings, and gain weight!
Here’s to a good night’s sleep – See you in dreamland!
This article was republished with permission from the author.
