5 IDEAL REASONS TO SLEEP WELL

Dr Sally Norton, NHS weight loss consultant & surgeon and Founder of  www.vavistalife.com, reveals why it’s important to sleep well!

Tiredness from lack of sleep doesn’t just make it hard to function the next day. Sleep problems like insomnia can increase our risk of health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression. Being tired also reduces will-power making it harder to lose weight and keep up healthier behaviours.

Here are five great reasons to get a really good kip……

Sleep yourself slim

Studies have shown a link between the quality of our sleep and our waistlines.

When we have a bad night’s sleep it seems to decrease the body’s hormone that regulates appetite – leaving our hunger levels at an all-time high. But it gets worse – we not only feel hungrier, but research shows that we specifically reach for high-calorie/high-fat foods, in an attempt to boost our energy levels that have been left depleted by poor sleep.

Be a safer driver

It’s no surprise that people who are sleep deprived are more likely to nod off at the wheel and have a greater risk of car accidents. Sleep apnoea, often associated with being overweight, is a condition where people wake up frequently at night, often keeping their partners awake with their snoring too, and then fall asleep during the day from exhaustion. If you recognise this pattern, chat to your GP as it can be treated, reducing your risk of accidents – but of high blood pressure, heart disease and other problems too.

Reduce your risk of dementia

It seems that there is a link between poor sleep and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists think that sleep provides time for the brain fluid to wash away the proteins that are associated with these problems – so aim for around 7-8 hours a night to let your brain catch up with the housekeeping!

Beauty sleep isn’t a myth

We all feel worse after a bad night’s sleep but hope that a touch more make-up, dark glasses or even a smile may disguise it. Not true, I’m afraid! Studies show that poor sleep really does show in our face and can be picked up by others – who find us less attractive than when we are well rested. What’s more, when we are sleep deprived we find it more difficult to interpret the emotions of others –which could land us in a tricky social situation.

Reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes

Sleep of less than 5 hours a night may more than double your risk of type 2 diabetes an increasingly common problem which can lead to further complications of its own as well as require dietary restrictions and long-term medication. Poor sleep can lead to increased blood pressure, which is associated with strokes and heart attacks too.

So, aiming for 7-8 hours of restful sleep a night could help in these and numerous other ways. We may feel we are too busy to spare the time for another hour or two in bed…..but fear not. It seems that people who get adequate sleep tend to live longer – so we will have lots more time in the long run!

Like that? You'll love this...

The Latest...

Wellbeing

How To Maintain Good Eye Health: 7 Essential Tips

When it comes to protecting your eyes, many people are unsure what to do or how they could make a difference to their own eye health. Your eye health is extremely...
Vicky Clifford Sanghad

7 Ideal Plants To Bring A Tropical Vibe To...

Are you trying to figure out which types of plant will bring the sunshine vibes inside this...

7 Contemporary Features To Include In Your 2025 Kitchen...

The heart and soul of the house, where the magic really happens, the place that most defines...

How To Avoid Spiralling Home Renovation Costs In 7...

For those not lucky enough to have the dulcet tones of Kevin McCloud on speed dial, the...

How To Live A More Vintage Lifestyle In 2025

Retro, vintage, old fashioned…call it what you like, but after the few years we’ve all had, there’s...