Did you know that the easiest and also the most under appreciated way to better health is with SLEEP?!  Not only is a good night's sleep crucial for your health both inside and out, but it can be more important than eating well and working out. There are proven health benefits to getting a good night's sleep with 7-9 hours of recommended sleep per day.  Below are FIVE benefits of SLEEP and how heading to bed a little early each night is crucial to your mind and body.

1. KEEPS YOUR HEART HEALTHY

During sleep, your body releases a hormone that keeps your heart and blood vessels healthy.  Lack of sleep has been associated with worsening heart function and blood pressure.  This is a big problem if you already have a heart condition and can lead to heart disease over time.  Your heart will be healthier with 8-9 hours of sleep per day.

2. HELPS REGULATE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

Our blood sugar levels tend to be all over the place, but proper sleep can help regulate your blood sugar as well as your metabolism.  Sleep deprivation can have a number of health risks related to your metabolism including a fluctuation of glucose (sugar) levels.  This can be a huge problem for individuals with diabetes or increase your risks of developing diabetes. We also use Intermittent Fasting in Burn Fat and Feast to help regulate our blood sugar levels too.  Here is a FREE guide to Intermittent Fasting with 3 tips on how to implement fasting successfully.

3. SLEEP REDUCES STRESS

We all struggle with a little daily stress, but sleep helps your mind and body relax and recover from the day.  When your body is deprived of sleep, it releases stress hormones that curbs functions that would be nonessential or harmful in a fight-or-flight situation.  When we don't get enough sleep we tend to make rash decisions sometimes acting out of fear.

4. REDUCES INFLAMMATION

Sleep regulates your immune system.  When you don't get enough sleep, inflammation can result. You may not notice it day to day, but chronic inflammation can damage the body and lead to health conditions such as ulcers, dementia, heart disease, and more.

5. MAY HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT

Research has proven that individuals who sleep fewer hours per night are more likely to be overweight or obese.  Studies show that lack of sleep impacts the balance of hormones in the body that affect our appetites.   The hormones ghrelin and leptin, which regulate the appetite, have been found to be disrupted by lack of sleep. If you want to maintain or lose weight, don't forget that getting adequate sleep on a regular basis is a huge part of the equation. Convinced yet?  Our TOP priority is to GET MORE SLEEP!  To learn more information, watch my FB Live video where I discuss in more detail about the 5 benefits of sleep. Our challenge this month for our Burn Fat and Feast sisters and anyone else that wants to join in is a SLEEP CHALLENGE.  Save the template below for a different bedtime goal each day of the week.

Don't forget to tap into our FREE 3 step guide to Intermittent Fasting.   Are you ready to get some more sleep?