No matter where you are in your weight loss journey, it's important that you don't let your good habits fall by the wayside. The obvious ones, which are eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly, are simple enough to keep track of - but sleep is also a hugely important factor which some people sometimes overlook.
There are some common misconceptions around sleep and weight loss and how they work together to help you achieve your goals. So, to help with this, sleep experts have debunked exactly how the right amount of sleep can help you shed the pounds.
Specialists from Adjustable Beds have set out to find out whether sleeping more or less is the key to losing weight. A common belief is that getting up earlier and sleeping less helps with slimming. This myth is based on the thought that less time sleeping in the morning is related to having a more active life that burns more calories overall.
However, less sleep not only does not help you lose weight, but it can cause the opposite effect. Harvard Medical School published that the amount of sleep a person gets affects certain hormones. These hormones include leptin and ghrelin, which affects individuals' appetite as they control feelings of hunger and fullness.
For example, leptin is produced in fat cells and signals the brain when you are full while, while ghrelin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract and stimulates appetite. So, when you do not get enough sleep, the leptin levels decrease so that you do not feel full after eating and then ghrelin levels also increase, making you crave more food.
To put it simply, the less sleep you get can mean putting on more weight - so it's worth prioritising your shut-eye if you want to see results on the scales.
Another common myth that the experts looked into was that having a nap during the day was the epitome of laziness and should be avoided at all costs. However, in other cultures, such as Spain, a daytime siesta is typically a chance for workers in hot countries to beat the mid-day heat and rest.
Research by the American Heart Association finds that napping can bring lots of benefits such as improving attention, memory, and performance at work.
Although it is warned, not to get into a deep stage of sleep by napping too long or too late in the day as it can disrupt sleep patterns. It is recommended to keep naps to under 30 minutes and earlier in the afternoon, around lunchtime.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here .
