Sleep. We all know we need it, but with our 24-hour lifestyles, many people view sleep as a waste of time that could be better spent doing just about anything else.
Problem is, when you skimp on sleep you’re not only making yourself tired and compromising your ability to fight off everyday ills, you’re also speeding the aging process, driving weight gain andincreasing your risk for diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems.
Get enough sleep though and you’re treating your body to the greatest body and brain-boosting anti-aging treatment there is. So next time you think, “Oh, I can get by on 4 hours,” re-think your sleep strategy and set the alarm for a few hours later.
Under sleeping disrupts metabolism and hormonal balance in numerous ways, many of which reinforce each other. In fact, too few zzz’s set the stage for problems far weightier than just yawning a lot – you’re creating the perfect conditions for fat accumulation!
Too little sleep triggers these hormonal fat-makers:
Lack of sleep is the fast-track to feeling old before your time. Not getting enough quality sleep contributes to many of the pesky problems people write off as simply part of the aging process. We’re talking weight gain, slowed metabolism, memory issues, brain fog, weakened immunity and low moods — feeling irritable, helpless, easily frustrated, anxious, and/or depressed.
The good news is, often it’s not aging that’s the culprit, it’s a simple lack of sleep. To feel (and look) younger get a sound seven or eight hours a night, or as close to that as you can manage. Think of it as the cure for premature aging.
Whether you know it or not, sleep is anything but unproductive — your brain and body are actually very active when you’re down for the count. They’re busy refreshing, repairing and rejuvenating just about every cell in the body, so if you don’t make time for sleep, you’re disabling your body’s ability to recharge and heal itself. In fact, while you’re snoozing, your body is performing a number of essential tasks to keep you vibrant. Among the biggies:
In a nutshell, good, restful sleep keeps you vigorous, energized, and at a healthy weight – so get some of the good stuff tonight! Need to brush up on your sleeping skills?
Here are a few Pointers: