Lose weight while you sleep

by Julie Travers

Sleep is crucial for good physical and mental health and research suggests that sleep loss may increase hunger and affect the body's metabolism. Leptin is an important hormone that plays a key role in regulating appetite and metabolism, and is released by fat cells in our bodies whilst we sleep. The amount of Leptin released mirrors the overall body fat stores and gives the brain a reading of energy storage. Continual lack of sleep results in lower levels of this hormone and as a result, you feel hungry despite adequate food intake.

Being overweight means you probably have sleep problems, which in turn results in putting on weight. Here are some tips on how to get better sleep:

• Improve your sleeping environment by adding soft lighting and relaxing music to your bedroom.
• Get yourself into a strict routine of going to bed at the same time each night.
• Stop eating at least three hours before bedtime. Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the late evening.
• Consider drinking herbal teas such as Chamomile that have natural relaxing properties. As always, consult a medical practitioner for advice and guidance before taking any kind of medication.
• Try to relax and decrease your stress levels before going to bed. Reading a book may take your mind off every day stress.