Sleep affects your weight and people who get better sleep weigh less.

Studies have actually shown that by taking measures to improve your sleep can help you lose weight.

Why Sleep Matters

While we are sleeping, our bodies are recovering from the day. Our organs, hormonal systems and cells take this down-time to regroup. If you’re not getting enough sleep or you’re not getting good quality sleep your body cannot recover. This means your body spends the following day struggling.

Your metabolism is affected. Studies have found that people who sleep poorly eat more during the day. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that these people are turning to food for energy. However, it’s not really food they need– its better quality and more sleep.

Studies have shown that sleep deprivation alters the balance of hormones which control the rate at which we burn off calories–in particular the hormone leptin.  It may also be that when you don’t get enough sleep your body switches to survival mode. It stores more fat.

Regardless of the reasons behind the sleep/weight loss correlation the facts are the same. If you don’t get good sleep you’re more prone to weight gain.

How to Get Better Sleep

To lose weight, then, it makes sense to take measures to improve your sleep. Here are some tried and true success strategies:

• Refrain from eating or drinking two to three hours before bedtime. You’ll reduce your body’s need to digest and you won’t have to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Create a sleep ritual. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every day.
• Create a routine: before bed, brush your teeth, wash your face and read a book for ten minutes before turning the lights out.
• Aim for at least seven hours (but 8 is better) of sleep a night.
• Don’t use electronics in the bedroom. Electronics stimulate your brain and you want to relax. Eliminate watching television, surfing or social networking on your mobile device before bed.
• Avoid stimulants in the afternoon. If you routinely drink a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon, make it decaffeinated. Or move tea time up an hour or two. Caffeine can stay in your system for several hours and definitely affects your sleep. By the way, green tea is caffeinated

If you’re not sleeping well and cannot improve your sleep with these simple steps, consider seeking a doctor’s help. Good sleep is vital for overall mental and physical health. Once you’re able to sleep better you will also find you can lose extra weight and burn fat much more easily.