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Writer's pictureOpeyemi Ojo

Are your sleeping habits making you fat?

Updated: May 6

Often times, people ignore the importance of sleep. We have a lot of research to support why you SHOULD NOT be skipping on sleep.


What is the purpose of sleep?

  • cleaning the brain of toxin

  • physical restoration

  • information processing and memorization

  • mood regulation

  • strengthening immune system


What are the stages of sleep?

  • Stage 1 5-15 minutes, sense of falling, light sleep

  • Stage 2 5-15 minute, light sleep, heart rate and body temperature drop

  • Stage 3 & 4 5-15 minutes, deeper sleep, body repairs itself

  • Stage 5 10 during first cycle, 1 hour during subsquent cycles (need 3-4 cycles/night) REM sleep


Benefits of sleep?

  • regulates hormones

  • normalizes leptin and ghrelin -- that control appetite

  • supports immune system

  • lowers risk of depression

  • help muscle recovery/repair

  • lowers blood pressure- allows heart and vessels rest

  • improves memory and recall


How does sleep help me lose weight?

 There is a direct correlation between chronic sleep deprivation and obesity. Whether that is because of the resulting hormone imbalance, increased cravings for sugar and starchy foods or decreased efficiency of body processes. A study was conducted over 16 years and found that women who sleep less than 5 hours/night were 15% more likely to be obese (BMI > 30). Conversely, too much sleep is also linked to obesity due to reverse causation.


Start tonight! Turn off your Netflix. Give yourself a bedtime. Get your room cool and dark and enjoy the benefits of ZZZZs.

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