Lack of sleep can throw throw us into a cycle of lethargy. It can also encourage us to eat more junk food and start a bad cycle of eating. Sleep is important to our overall health and if we continually deprived of sleep, our long-term health will be affected.
Likewise, bad food choices can contribute to sleep problems leading to a merry-go-round of sleep deprivation and unhealthy eating. By breaking the cycle of eating poorly and not sleeping well, we can be on our way to feeling better.
Sleep Deprivation and Weight
When our body gets stressed, it will retain fat cells. Not getting enough sleep can induce stress on our body that in turn will cause the retention of fat cells. This is a serious problem if you are trying to lose weight to improve your health. To avoid these issues, try get a good night sleep each evening to keep your body from going into emergency mode.
Also, when you are tired you will likely avoid physical exertion and exercise. But even if you do force yourself to exercise, your body cannot function as well as it should. Over time this can lead to weight gain and ongoing inactivity which will also reduce your overall health. And since exercise is known to encourage a good night sleep, it is important to maintain an active schedule.
Lack of Sleep and Bad Food Choices
When we are sleep deprived we tend to each junk food such as sweets and caffeinated sodas to try and gain some short-term energy. While this may give us a short pick-me-up, once the sugar and caffeine wear off we will be just as tired as before. This can lead to a second cycle of bad food choices to try and regain a little energy. When you feel drained of energy, you begin the cycle again with another sugary food or drink. This cycle goes on through the day and very soon you will find yourself caught up in the junk food cycle.
This cycle is not good for your health and may keep you from getting some sleep later in the evening as the sugar and caffeine remain in our systems. Over time you will be start gaining weight from all these empty calories and be feeling even more tired and depressed. So give yourself a break and try to get your proper amount of sleep, your health will improve and you will avoid the junk food treadmill.
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