Are You Getting Enough Quality Sleep?

Sleep is one piece of the fat-loss puzzle that most people underestimate, and it is one of the most critical. When you sleep, your body produces hormones that help your body repair, recover, and burn body fat.  But sleeplessness seems to be one of the side effects from all the anxiety and uncertainty we’re facing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Runtastic reports that sleep deprivation can really throw off your overall hormone function, blood sugar levels, energy level and ability to make healthy food choices. Have you ever been tired and just craved food? It’s one of the very common side effects of not getting enough sleep.  So, what can we do about it? Well, the experts say that tuning out and turning in is the key to getting some good zzzz’s.

1) Go to bed at the same time every night. 10 p.m. is the ideal time to get into bed, since around this time your body starts to secrete hormones that prime your body for a good night’s sleep (use this sleep cycle calculator to find out the optimal time for you).

2) If you struggle to disconnect at the end of the day, set an alarm 30 minutes before bedtime to remind you to turn off all technology, make a cup of herbal tea, maybe do some deep breathing or other meditative techniques and just relaaaaax.

Look, some days we can’t always get eight hours of sleep, but do your best. You can treat yourself to an alarm-free wake up on the weekends, but don’t overdo it! Try to stick to the same schedule as much as possible.

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Photo Credit:  tommaso79 / Shutterstock.com