Sleeping This Way Can Make You Gain Weight

Posted by Simple Promise on June 30, 2022

We all know a good night’s sleep is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy weight. According to Harvard research, people who get too little sleep have a higher risk of weight gain and obesity than people who get seven to eight hours of sleep a night.

That’s because chronic sleep deprivation makes you gain weight by either increasing how much food you eat or decreasing the energy you burn.

You eat more because the lack of sleep increases your appetite-stimulating hormone, ghrelin and decreases your satiety-inducing hormone, leptin.

Not to mention, the less you sleep, the more time you have to grab yourself a tasty snack during the extra hours you're awake at night.

Studies have also shown a link between sleep and food choices. Turns out, people who sleep less than 6 hours a night were more likely to eat out than those who slept more than 6 hours.

Sleep deprivation decreases the amount of energy you burn because people who don't get enough sleep tend to be more tired during the day and end up putting off any physical activity.

Now, you might be wondering what you can do to get more hours of sleep and what the detoxifying effects of quality sleep could bring you. Read on to find out more about detoxification during sleep and tips on how to stay asleep longer during the night.

Sleep Detox and Your Brain

Science suggests that sleep may be the best detox for your brain. That’s because there is a toxin removal system for the brain and is most active during sleep. Brain cells shrink to increase space between them so that toxic wastes can be flushed away more effectively.

This physical change happens during slow-wave sleep, which is the deepest phase of sleep. Not only does sleep detoxify the brain, but healthy sleep also helps reduce the risk of certain neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s Disease.

Sleep postures play a small part in the detoxification process of the brain. During research into sleep postures, scientists found that sleeping on your side is more efficient than other sleeping positions at removing waste from the brain.

Why?
During sleep, the system that uses fluids to remove negative chemicals from your brain seems to run more efficiently when you’re lying on your side.

If you don’t find sleeping on your side the most comfortable, that’s okay, you don’t have to force yourself! Being able to sleep comfortably is what matters when it comes to quality sleep, and a good night’s sleep is what you need for detoxing your body.

Here are some tips on how to detox your sleep routine and stay asleep longer throughout the night:

Tip #1: Block Out Light

Darkness helps produce and release melatonin, your sleep regulating hormone, so that your body can fall asleep faster when you close your eyes. So, try by dimming your lights in the evening to start getting your body warmed up. Turn on night mode filters on all screens, and for people wearing glasses, switch for blue light glasses for better eyesight and better sleep.

Tip #2: Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment

Try to keep clutter minimal in your room and keep your clock’s face out of sight so that you don’t stare at it stressing about not being able to fall asleep and then stay awake all night.

Temperature also affects how well and how long you sleep. It’s proven that cooler temperatures help you drift off more easily. Just make sure to have a comfy comforter to keep you warm.

Tip #3: Eat Foods High in Prebiotics

Prebiotics serve as food for good bacteria in your gut and these good bacteria keep your gut healthy. A healthy digestive system protects your body and intestines by detoxifying and removing harmful chemical substances. Some great ideas of foods with prebiotics are apples, bananas, oats, and tomatoes.

Getting enough sleep is an important part of a healthy weight loss plan. To keep yourself healthy, and to keep the weight off, the easiest way to make sure you’re getting enough sleep is to schedule a regular sleep schedule and by going to bed early.

Hope you enjoyed what we shared with you today. Let us know if any of these tips helped improve your sleep and keep the weight off.

To your health,
The Simple Promise Team