The magic of sleeping and resting
There is a fear of giving the body too much rest and sleep, feeling this is wrong for the body and will make it lazy. Nevertheless, ghrelin is closely related to hunger, while leptin connects to the feeling of fullness and satisfaction. Lack of sleep has found to increase ghrelin levels, leading to the necessity to eat. But, what are ghrelin and leptin?
Leptin, a hormone made by our fat cells, minimizes our appetite. Ghrelin, on the other hand, is a hormone that increases appetite and plays a key role in body weight. Both hormones work in harmony, ensuring a balance between all the energy flowing around the body and mind.
You must have noticed your body craving for some snack when you have been up till late at night. You might have had a fantastic and filling dinner; nevertheless, an awake and alert body can increase ghrelin levels, making you think you are hungry when you might have eaten the right amount of food during the day. At this exact moment, the stomach is asking for more food. Ghrelin ensures we do not starve, but the right balance of it has its importance as; high ghrelin can lead to frequent hunger and lead to overeating.
We know anything in excess is bad. If you have more adipose tissue, you can get resistant to leptin, always having the need to eat and getting messages of hunger.
So, what can we do about it? How can we fix this issue?
- Ensure good sleep: studies show that 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily can help to have a good balance between both hormones, avoiding any kind of overindulgence.
- Enjoy healthy fats: they help you feel fuller for longer and have many good properties for overall good health. A few examples of good fats are avocado, olive oil, fish, nuts, seeds, etc.
- Reduce sugar intake: simple sugars are empty calories and they leave the bloodstream as quickly as they enter it. As a result, you end up feeling hungry again within a short period of them, leading to a consumption of extra calories.
- Exercise and train the body: frequent exercise can also help to improve leptin resistance, fighting obesity and other health concerns. It helps you feel positive and good with yourself too!
Conclusion
We can conclude that each problem has a solution; and giving the body the right amount of sleep and rest is vital to avoid any future issues. Relax and enjoy your beauty sleep!!
Written by Mónica Ailani,
Content Writer & Translator
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