Insomnia can make you fat? Yep. And, shorten your life.

I came across an article in Body & Soul magazine “Sleep Longer for your Heart” with some interesting advice: Sleep one hour longer and lower your risk of heart disease. The information was found in a recent study by Lawrence Epstein, M.D., author of The Harvard Medical School Guide to a Good Night’s Sleep.

 

His work is helping people sleep their way to better health. Sleeping more is my kind of medical advice.

 

A recent article in M.D. News quotes Dr. Epstein, “Several studies have recently come out showing that those people who sleep less actually have shorter life spans, independent of all other health effects.”

 

According to Dr. Epstein, sleep studies link sleep apnea with hypertension, hearts attacks and stroke. Insomnia correlates with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

 

“We spend one-third of our lives asleep, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that things go wrong during it,” Dr. Epstein explains. “Up until recently, people just looked at sleep as a period during which nothing happened, but now we know that’s not the case. Sleep is actually a very dynamic state, during which lots of things occur.”

 

Sleep longer and live longer, I now have an excuse to sleep in and not feel guilty. But wait, it gets better.

 

“If someone is sleep-deprived, their body is actually stimulated to eat,” Dr. Epstein explains. “That could be part of what’s going on with the obesity epidemic that we’re seeing across the country these days.”

 

This is very good news for my husband who is trying desperately to lose weight. Now I can tell him to sleep deeper, and longer. More naps, sleep in every day, what more could he want. Besides, if he’s sleeping he can’t eat.

 

My advice to help you get started on a better night’s sleep

 

Allergists tell their patients a good night’s sleep starts with a clean sleeping environment. Your body’s immune system recovers during the night, allowing you to wake up refreshed and energized for the day ahead.

 

If your lungs can’t breathe properly you have a restless night of sleep. Your immune system has to work harder and you don't wake up as refreshed as you should. Airborne allergens are to blame.

 

The first step in cleaning up your sleeping environment is purchase an HEPA air purifier. There are many air purifiers to choose from but the best overall performance and value is found in models made by Austin Air.

If you toss and turn because your mattress is lumpy or hard, then you don’t get into the proper deep REM sleep either.  That's when your body's immune system does it's best work. Sleep fitfully and you put your health at risk.

If you can, replace your old lumpy mattress with one that is comfortable and free of toxic chemical flame retardants. My recommendation is an organic mattress, preferably a natural latex mattress that conforms to your body’s curves, creating a supportive yet cushy sleep surface. Say good-bye to tossing and turning and hello to deep REM sleep.

Link for more sleep tips from Lawrence J. Epstein, M.D.

Body & Soul Magazine: Lack of Sleep May Hurt Your Health

 

Comments

[babyhawk]

You cant function properly if you have not had a good nights rest and so your health suffers.

[Melissa]

I suffered from insomnia for years, and its funny I to put on weight, was depressed and when I finally got over the insomnia, the weight came off, and I was starting to feel like a completely different person. Some people will always suffer from this and then there are the lucky few that eventually can get back to normality and sleep, I am glad that I am the latter.
Thanks for a great post I am sure there will be some happy people to read this.

[rem sleep]

Theres no solution for insomnia at all.

[Gina Palladino]

Thank you so much for posting this information. It is very informative.