A Good Night's Sleep Can Help You Lose Weight

Losing weight is never easy, but it's certainly not something that you want to lose sleep over. As a matter of fact, sleep may be just the thing you need to help you lose those extra pounds.

Women need at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each day to allow their bodies to heal and rejuvenate. Not getting enough rest can leave you feeling tired and irritable but lack of sleep can cause other health problems and may even be responsible for making you retain weight.


When you don't get enough sleep, your body doesn't get a chance to properly revive and cortisol levels become increased, which can stimulate hunger. Another reason that you might find yourself eating more is because without the satisfaction of a good night's sleep, the body is literally starving for fulfillment. However, women who eat less but get fewer than six hours of rest can end up gaining weight instead of losing it.

For women, not getting enough sleep is worse for the body than it is for men. Unfortunately women, more often than men, report problems in falling asleep at night and find themselves awake, sometimes an hour or more after lying down to go to sleep. Financial and family worries were the main reasons that women had difficulty falling asleep. Men, it seems, although still plagued with the same concerns, did not experience the problems with sleep that women had.

When women fail to get adequate sleep it is noticeable because many times it shows in the face. Dark circles, premature wrinkling and signs of aging become apparent in a woman's face when there is a problem with sleep deprivation. In addition, the weight gain causes bloating and puffiness that is unattractive and for the woman who is concerned about her image, these signs are unacceptable, especially when the answer is simply sleep.

Getting the proper amount of rest is just as important as daily exercise and the two go hand in hand in keeping a woman healthy and strong. Exercise encourages proper blood flow and a natural balance in the body's inner clock. This can help to trigger the need for sleep and allow the body to relax easier. Maintaining a regular schedule can help to keep sleep regulated too.

Diet, exercise and plenty of sleep are not only the cornerstones of the ideal weight loss program but are the keys to the longevity of a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Ficarelli