New Year, New You!

21 December 2022 Categories: Better Health Author: Katrina Stubbs
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Happy New Year!

 

The time for “New Year’s Resolutions” is upon us when we evaluate the year behind us and make goals for the year ahead. The most popular resolutions are losing weight, personal improvement, improving diet and fitness, and living healthier. It’s no secret that weight loss can hugely affect your health, leading to better mental health, a healthier cardiovascular system, and better sleep!

 

Positive effects on obstructive sleep apnea

Excess body weight has been linked to many health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes. Being overweight or obese can also affect another crucial area of health. Studies have shown that overweight people sleep less than those with a lower BMI. Obesity can increase the likelihood of extra tissue in the back of your neck, making the airway narrower, which can cause obstructive sleep apnea. Losing just 10% of your body weight can significantly affect sleep apnea symptoms. Eating healthy and losing weight may reduce the size of your neck circumference, which decreases the amount of pressure needed to keep your airway open. While weight loss might not completely cure sleep apnea, it definitely has a beneficial effect.

 

Hunger Hormones

Great evidence suggests that reduced sleep strongly contributes to the obesity epidemic. Two hormones that keep sleep under control are leptin and ghrelin. Sleep loss can reduce the level of leptin in your body, which is the hormone that tells your body when it’s full. At the same time, more ghrelin, otherwise known as the “hunger hormone,” is produced, which drives you to eat more. Most people will make poorer food choices when sleep-deprived and are more likely to eat foods high in fat, sugar, and carbohydrates.

 

Practice good sleep hygiene

Good sleep hygiene can contribute to weight loss as well. Staying up later at night causes you to feel hungrier, leading you to consume more calories than you need when you grab a snack in those late-night hours. Making better breakfast choices is easier when you’re well-rested, which can lead to a better overall day of eating. Adequate sleep at night helps your body recover from the previous day, prepare for the next, and keeps everything working as it should. Sleep can help you lose weight by controlling your appetite, boosting your metabolism, and giving you the energy to stay physically active. 

The hardest part of making resolutions is following through with them and succeeding. Start 2023 with a headstart and take charge of your sleep! Your Snore MD dream team is dedicated to helping you get a great night’s sleep, which will help you stay on top of your New Year’s resolutions!

 

Katrina Stubbs Sleep Clinician
Katrina Stubbs
Author

Katrina Stubbs is a Regional Manager and Sleep Clinician at Snore MD and brings over 15 years of experience in the medical field. She prides herself in providing exceptional patient care and education, not only to her patients but to the entire team at Snore MD.

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