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Q: Will getting better sleep really help me lose weight? (Regina F.)
A: Regina, it's true. Sleep does actually support the management and regulation of body fat.
Our circadian rhythm is the natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and it is very closely tied to the quality and length of our sleep.
Sleep sets our metabolic clock which influences how much energy we burn each day, as well as the function of our hormones ghrelin and leptin. These hormones control our feelings of hunger and sense of satiety throughout the day.
You may have noticed that when you are lacking in sleep you feel more hungry and less satisfied than on days when you wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
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Q: How do I get back to sleep if I wake up in the middle of the night? (Bill C.)
A: Bill, our sleep cycles go through light sleep, deep sleep and then we come back up to the surface, so it’s very normal to wake up. The advice I give to people is to not look at the clock when they wake up because this can produce some worries about consequences the next day. If people do start to think and to worry, and the body is not in a state of sleepiness, then it’s best to put into place what we call ‘stimulus control’. This is where we don’t want the bed to be associated with being awake and frustrated and so in this case, it’s actually best to get up and go to another room. By making a hot drink or reading, something to take their mind off it, most people will notice that sleepiness comes back when it’s ready.
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