Sleep Your Way to Slimness and Better Health

Sleep Is Good for You

We’re all trying to cram more and more into our lives. And often, when life gets busy, the first thing to go is sleep — many people are getting by on five hours of sleep a night or less.

But constant sleep deprivation can have side effects beyond the typical dragging feeling and a need for a caffeine fix. A lack of sleep increases the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and insulin, which can cause your body to store fat. It can also work the other way around. When stress is high, cortisol is high, and when you’re stressed, you’re probably not sleeping well. And by cutting back on sleep, you’re also giving your body less time to repair itself, weakening your immune system and damaging your overall health. Chronically high cortisol levels have been shown to be a factor in heart disease, increasing your chances of heart attack or stroke.

Fortunately, there’s a really easy fix that can improve your health — and help you lose weight as well: Commit to getting at least seven to eight hours of good quality sleep every night. Here’s how to get yourself there:

·         Consider using melatonin. This hormone serves as a natural sleep aid — and your body starts to produce less of it after you turn 40.

·         Look for products made with lemon balm, which contains chemicals that seem to have a sedative, calming effect.

·         Try using chewable GABA (gamma–aminobutyric acid), which can relax your brain and help ensure a deeper night’s sleep.

·         Darken your room. Get light–blocking shades for your windows to keep out the street lights, and ban TVs, computer equipment, and other light producers from your room — or opt for a simple sleep mask to block out the light. Total darkness helps lower your cortisol levels, ensuring you have a good night’s sleep.

Remember, sleep has been provided by nature to do the body’s healing work. A good night of rest is essential for health and helps control your appetite. I sleep eight hours nightly, and I’ve never felt better. By adapting a good sleep schedule, you'll enjoy renewed energy, a better mood, and a slimmer body — and you deserve it all! 

 

Caesar Dressing (p3)

1 cup mayonnaise

Juice of 2 large lemons (6-8 tbsp lemon juice)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

¾ cup parmesan

¼ cup water

¼ tsp garlic powder

*Combine all ingredients