A Good Night’s Sleep Can Help You Maintain Diet, Exercise Goals Getting enough quality sleep is essential for our overall health and wellbeing. When we sleep, our body performs vital functions, such as repairing and regenerating tissues, consolidating memories, and regulating hormones. Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can lead to various health problems, including mood disorders, cognitive impairment, weakened immune system, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
- Getting enough healthy sleep is crucial for our physical and mental wellbeing.
- Healthy sleep habits are associated with better adherence to other healthy lifestyle habits.
- Poor sleep habits can negatively impact our waking behaviors and habits.
- Prioritizing healthy sleep habits can have a positive impact on other aspects of our health and lifestyle habits.
- Research has consistently shown that good quality sleep is associated with a range of positive health outcomes, including better physical fitness and healthier eating habits.
Sleep is often not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about heart health, but research has shown that there is a significant link between the two. In fact, the American Heart Association now includes sleep as a part of its cardiovascular health checklist. Dr. Daniel Luger, a cardiologist and assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, explained that when evaluating patients’ cardiovascular health, they begin with an assessment of their sleep. This is because sleep has a profound impact on our physical and mental health.
Recent research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health annual meeting further underscores the importance of healthy sleep habits. Preliminary findings suggest that good sleep quality is associated with better adherence to other health goals, such as regular exercise and healthy eating habits. These findings highlight the far-reaching effects of healthy sleep habits on overall health and wellness.
It is clear that prioritizing healthy sleep habits is critical for maintaining good cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing. By taking steps to improve our sleep quality, we can help ourselves achieve our health and wellness goals and improve our quality of life.
A ‘hypothesis generating’ study on sleep
A group of overweight or obese adults were followed for a year to monitor their sleep health, adherence to a weight loss program, and physical activity. Although the initial findings suggested an association between healthy sleep and adherence to diet and exercise, the association was not strong enough to meet the threshold for statistical significance.
However, experts still find the results useful and hypothesis-generating. “Given the understanding of the underlying physiology and behavioral psychology, a large study is not needed to recommend sleep hygiene practices to patients,” said Dr. Luger.
It’s important to note that this was a small study with a limited demographic. The group was mostly female and white, which is a significant limitation. Still, the results are interesting, and many aspects of sleep physiology can be generalized across adults.
Dr. Sujay Kansagra noted that an individual’s discipline and impulse control are also factors.There is a possibility that individuals who have the self-control to establish healthy sleep habits may also possess the determination and discipline needed to adhere to a weight loss program said Alex Dimitriu.
The benefits of healthy sleep
The initial results of this study add to a growing body of research that strongly links healthy sleep habits to numerous benefits. According to Luger, “lifestyle changes often build upon each other from a behavioral psychology perspective. Establishing a consistent sleep and wake time with a healthy sleep routine serves as a strong foundation for additional healthy behaviors.”
Furthermore, there is evidence that poor quality sleep can have negative effects on overall health. Kansagra stated, “poor quality sleep can worsen almost any medical and psychiatric condition. Sleep is linked to various aspects of health, including cardiovascular health, immune function, mood, attention, and energy levels.”
Kansagra also noted that sleep deprivation can lead to fatigue and mood changes, which may hinder one’s motivation to exercise. Turpin explained that optimal sleep health allows the body to function at a higher level, impacting mental and hormonal health, weight loss, and the body’s ability to recover from daily activities and exercise.
According to Sajid, regular sleep patterns can work together with other daily habits. “Regular sleep allows individuals to fall asleep faster, wake up easier, and stay alert during the day. It also helps people maintain regular mealtimes and routines, which serve as signals to the body about the time of day.”
How to sleep better
Achieving healthy sleep is not just about knowing what you need, but also implementing it in your routine.
Making a few minor adjustments can help establish a healthy sleep routine for most people. According to Dimitriu, a regular sleep schedule with adequate time for sleep and relaxation in the evening is crucial for good sleep. Forcing oneself to sleep can be counterproductive.
Creating a consistent and calming nightly routine that includes activities such as reading, taking a shower, and avoiding electronic devices in the bedroom can also improve sleep quality, according to Turpin. She pointed out that electronic devices’ light can disrupt melatonin production and affect sleep duration.
Sajid also recommended maintaining the same bedtime and wake-up time during the week, including weekends, to improve sleep quality.
written By Saman
Checked by Maham
