Get a Good Night’s Sleep and Improve Your Metabolism

You already know that sleep plays a vital role in your health and well-being. When you get enough rest, you likely feel more alert, energetic, capable, and positive. Conversely, chronic sleep deprivation can have adverse consequences over both the short and long term. For instance, it can negatively affect your judgment, mood, and ability to learn and retain information. It can also increase your risk of accidents and injuries, as well as lead to a host of health issues, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

As if all of that weren’t enough, a lack of sleep can also lead to weight gain and obesity. If you feel tired during the day, you’re more likely to reach for a sugary “pick-me-up” for a quick shot of energy. Then, you might skip your evening workout due to fatigue, only to find that when you do go to bed, you’re still too wound up to nod off. Ultimately, this vicious circle can affect both your weight and your health.

Furthermore, your metabolism — which converts the food you eat into fuel and plays a key role in how efficiently you burn that fuel — will not function properly if you are sleep deprived. That’s because your appetite hormones, ghrelin and leptin, will be affected. Specifically, your ghrelin level, which stimulates your appetite, will increase, and your leptin level, which makes you feel full, will decrease. As a result, you’ll be more likely to overeat when you sleep poorly.

Of course, everyone has trouble sleeping at least occasionally. This isn’t usually problematic because your metabolism and other hormonal processes can recover from a few nights of inadequate rest. But, if you’re on a “no-sleep streak,” there are some things you can do to break it and start getting some quality shut-eye on a regular basis. For instance, you might try:

• Maintaining a consistent schedule — Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, including weekends and days off.
• Creating a comfortable and relaxing sleep zone — Draw the shades, dim the lights, power down all electronic devices, and do something relaxing before you go to bed. Some people enjoy winding down with a good book, cup of tea, or warm bath.
• Watching what you drink and eat — Avoid caffeine in the afternoon, and do not consume heavy meals or alcoholic beverages within two hours of your bed time.
• Exercising regularly — Physical activity can reduce your stress level and improve your sleep quality.

If you have chronic sleep issues, don’t wait another night. Instead, see a doctor who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment. Many sleep issues can be managed effectively, and even cured.

If you’d like to take the first steps toward getting your metabolism back on track by improving your sleep patterns, contact or visit the South Tampa Immediate Care walk-in clinic on South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL. We may be able to help.