Have you ever noticed a correlation between sleep and losing weight? Many people, especially women, are so busy, that they don’t get a good night’s sleep. Doctors have revealed that a good night’s sleep plays a big part in weight control. According to experts, there is a critical link between sleep deprivation and obesity. Americans are sleeping less than ever and are getting bigger than ever. People who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to be overweight or obese. Studies show that the lack of sleep impacts the balance of hormones in the body that affect appetite. The hormones ghrelin and leptin, important for the regulation of appetite, can be disrupted by a lack of sleep.

Sleep like a beauty and awake rejuvenated and refreshed. Getting your beauty sleep is not just a phrase. When a woman doesn’t get enough rest, it starts to show in her face. Continuous sleep deprivation will cause lines in the face to deepen, bags and dark circles under the eyes and over all inflammation that causes the face to look as if it has aged.

A woman’s body requires rest. Rest and sleep provide an opportunity for the body to cleanse, repair, and rejuvenate on a deep cellular level. Sleep is a time for your body to repair damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposures. Your body needs this rest in order to work with the nutrients that you have been feeding it. Since your cells actually produce more protein while you are sleeping, this down time allows them to repair and rejuvenate.

When your body is in need of sleep, it goes into a state of stress. The body’s functions are put on high alert and that causes an increase in blood pressure and a production of stress hormones such as cortisol. An increase in blood pressure intensifies your risk for heart attacks and strokes. The stress hormones also, make it harder for you to sleep. Stress causes an overproduction of cortisol, the hormone responsible for a fat belly.

Eating a stable diet that includes healthy proteins, lots of vegetables and fruits and drinking plenty of water each day will help your body maintain a proper balance of activity and rest. Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day helps to regulate the body’s internal clock, allowing you to rest better and be more energized when you are awake.