Does Getting More Sleep Reduce Calorie Intake?
You've probably heard the phrase "you snooze, you lose" countless times before, but what if the opposite were true? Is there a correlation between sleep and calorie intake? While getting enough sleep is essential for physical and mental health, many people struggle to get seven to eight hours per night.
So, does increase your sleep have any effect on managing your caloric intake? This blog post will explore the link between sleep and calorie consumption and discuss whether getting more sleep can help reduce calorie intake.
How Much Sleep Do We Need?
Sleep is critical for our overall health and well-being, but how much sleep do we need? The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults aged 18-64 get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. However, they also note that some people may need as little as 6 hours of sleep, while others may need up to 10 hours.
It's important to note that the amount of sleep we need varies from person to person and can change throughout our lives. For example, newborns typically sleep 16-18 hours daily, while school-aged children and adolescents generally need 9-10 hours of sleep.
Several factors can impact how much sleep we need, including age, lifestyle, health, and activity level. For example, pregnant people with certain medical conditions may require more rest than those without.
While the National Sleep Foundation's recommendations are a good starting point, listening to your body and seeing how you feel after different amounts of sleep is essential. If you're consistently getting 7-9 hours of sleep but still feel tired during the day, you may need to increase your sleep time.
Conversely, if you regularly get more than 9 hours of sleep but still feel exhausted, you may want to reduce your sleep time. The bottom line is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer regarding how much sleep we need.
The Effect of Sleep on Calorie Intake
Sleep deprivation has been shown to affect calorie intake. In one study, participants who slept for only 4 hours per night throughout five nights ate an average of 385 calories more per day than when they slept for 8 hours per night.
In another study, participants who were sleep deprived for just one night ate an average of 100 calories more the next day than when they were well-rested.
These studies suggest that getting enough sleep is essential for regulating calorie intake. Sleep deprivation can lead to overeating, which can, in turn, lead to weight gain.
Other Benefits of Getting More Sleep
There are plenty of other benefits to getting more sleep beyond reducing calorie intake. Getting a good night's sleep can help improve your mood, boost your immune system, and increase your productivity. It can also reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Ways to Get More Sleep
You can do a few things to get more sleep, which may, in turn, help reduce your calorie intake. First, try to go to bed and wake up simultaneously each day. This will help establish a regular sleep pattern. Second, create a relaxing bedtime routine for yourself that includes winding down for 30 minutes before sleep.
This could involve reading, taking a bath, or stretching. Third, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, as they can disrupt sleep. Finally, ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool to create an optimal environment for rest.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting more sleep may help reduce calorie intake. Many factors, such as hormones like ghrelin and leptin, can contribute to this relationship, which affects appetite.
Additionally, when people are well-rested, they tend to have better self-control and the ability to make healthier choices when it comes to food. Therefore, if you want to regulate your caloric intake to achieve a healthy weight or lifestyle change, try getting adequate quality sleep each night!
