We just took a family trip to Disneyland. The accommodations required us to sleep with 1 year old grandson Nico in our room. Along with Nico came his white noise machine and guess what? We haven't slept that good in ages. My husband periodically turns on white noise at night on his phone to help us sleep but it has never worked as well as the Yogasleep portable White Noise Machine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D50RYSC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I think hubby and I have been waking each other up with heavy breathing or snoring noise, noise from rolling over, noise from getting up to use the bathroom etc. And you know whenever something slightly wakes you up you start thinking "do I need to use the bathroom?" and eventually you decide the answer is yes so more sleep disruption. So this noise machine has really helped us.
A U.S. study looked at sleep, metabolism and eating habits of 16 men and women. Researchers at the University of Colorado found that when subjects came up short on sleep, they experienced almost immediate weight gain. As reported by the The New York Times reports, the study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found fast weight gain among the sleep-deprived regardless of gender.
In the abstract, researchers note, "Our findings suggest that increased food intake due to insufficient sleep is a physiological adaptation to provide energy needed to sustain additional wakefulness; yet when food is easily accessible, intake surpasses that needed." Wright suggested part of those extra pounds was a product of behavioral changes.
“We found that when people weren’t getting enough sleep they overate carbohydrates,” he said.He added that part of the change was behavioral. Staying up late and skimping on sleep led to not only more eating, but a shift in the type of foods a person consumed.
Night owls managed to consume 6 per cent more calories and from less nutritious foods. But once they started sleeping more, they began eating more healthfully, consuming fewer carbohydrates and fats.
I think a lot of it can be caused when we are confused by our body signals. We are sleepy or cranky or worn out so we reach for a comfort food for a quick dose of energy. Later (feeling low energy from lack of sleep and nutritionless carbohydrates) we skip the gym and pick up takeout for dinner-- no time to cook. It's a vicious cycle.
Additional problems are explained by Michael Breus, PhD, author of Beauty Sleep and the clinical director of the sleep division for Arrowhead Health in Glendale, Arizona, “It’s not so much that if you sleep, you will lose weight, but if you are sleep-deprived, meaning that you are not getting enough minutes of sleep or good quality sleep, your metabolism will not function properly.”
The two hormones that are key in this process are ghrelin and leptin. “Ghrelin is the ‘go’ hormone that tells you when to eat, and when you are sleep-deprived, you have more ghrelin,” Breus says. “Leptin is the hormone that tells you to stop eating, and when you are sleep deprived, you have less leptin.” More ghrelin plus less leptin equals weight gain. “You are eating more, plus your metabolism is slower when you are sleep-deprived,” Breus says.
I taught early morning Seminary for 13 years and I did notice nearly all of us sleep deprived early rises gained weight.
Ackk so what does all of this news have to do with our challenge for this week?
For every day you do at least 3 things to contribute to getting a good night’s sleep this week you can claim your 5 points from the Weekly Challenge. (They can be the same 3 things each day- find what works for you) Ideas would include:
1. Clean your bedroom. Fresh linens, a beautifully made bed, a tidy end table, a cleared off dresser top, adorned with a favorite photo or fresh flowers- All of these help your bedroom to be a lovely and peaceful place that invites relaxation that contributes to sleep.
2. Cut out the Caffeine- Caffeine (found in chocolate, tea, coffee, sodas and some over the counter medications) can stay in your system as long as 14 hours. Caffeine intake after noon increases the number of times you awaken at night and decreases the total amount of sleep time. This may subsequently affect daytime anxiety and performance
3. Avoid working, eating, and discussing emotional issues in bed (I have a rule for my hubby that nothing stressful can be spoken of after 9:00 pm) The bed should be used for sleep and sex only. If not, we can associate the bed with other activities and it often becomes difficult to fall asleep.
4. Minimize noise, light, and temperature extremes -sleep tools include ear plugs, window blinds, an electric blanket or air conditioner. Even the slightest nighttime noises or luminescent lights can disrupt the quality of your sleep. I can’t tell you how getting blackout curtains and shutters have increased the time I am able to stay asleep. I even have electrical tape over the small lights on my bedside modem.
5. Try not to drink fluids after 8 p.m. This may reduce awakenings due to urination. (This one is a huge problem for me).
6. Avoid naps, but if you do nap, make it no more than about 25 minutes. If you have problems falling asleep, then no naps for you.
7. Do not expose yourself to bright light if you do need to get up at night. Use a small night-light instead. I bought a motion activated night-light (on amazon) that turns on if I do need to walk in the bathroom at night and it is much calmer and more subtle than switching on the full overhead lights.
8. Avoid the light of televisions and computers late at night. My son has been using a program that dims the light emitted from his computer in the evening hours so as not to interfere with sleep. It’s a free program available at http://stereopsis.com/flux/ Also your i-pad or phone can be read with white letters on black instead of black on white (to switch it go to preferences then general then accessibility then choose white on black)
9. Consider some natural help aids. Certain herbal teas can help you relax and fall asleep. Chamomile is a popular tea that slows the nervous system and promotes relaxation. A new tea I’ve discovered is Yogi Soothing Caramel Bedtime tea https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_21?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=yogi+soothing+caramel+bedtime+tea&sprefix=yogi+soothing+caramel%2Caps%2C168 - yum. Other liquids, such as a small glass of warm milk, may also help. Melatonin (my favorite is Source Naturals Melatonin 1 mg. peppermint flavored sublingual also available at amazon https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=melatonin+1+mg+peppermint&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amelatonin+1+mg+peppermint helps many people (though it can cause vivid and sometimes scary dreams). Essential oils can also have great power to aid your sleep. I love Lavender on my pillowcase, Doterra’s Serenity rubbed on the back of my neck and a drop of Clary Sage (Also Doterra) on my tongue. ZZZZZZZZZZ!! As always check with your health professional before trying natural remedies.
10. Take control of your worries. Most of us lead very stressful lives. Stress, surprises, and changes can take a toll on our sleep habits. I often find myself going over, over and over the same worries somehow thinking if I think about it long enough, an easy solution is going to somehow pop up. One way to decrease this endless cycle of worry before bed is to write down your concerns in a journal and close the book on the day. You might even want to note a specific time the following day that you will worry about those things you have listed. If the worrisome topic creeps into your thoughts when you want to sleep just tell your brain "STOP BRAIN" and change the channel to a soothing topic.
10. If you must get up make it as quick and stress free as possible- Some of you may be young mothers with children that you still may need to get up with during the night. If you are getting up to change a diaper and give hugs and reassurance make sure the diaper and wipes and anything else needed are set out and ready. If you are getting up to nurse or give a bottle likewise have things as ready as possible. Set your favorite cozy blanket in your favorite cozy chair. Have diapering items set out. If you want a cup of tea while nursing have the tea bag and cup set out and the tea pot full of water ready to switch on. Make your night time chores as quick, easy and relaxing as possible.
11. Create a bedtime ritual. It is calming to do the same things each night to signal your body it's time to wind down. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to soothing music — preferably with the lights dimmed. Relaxing activities can promote better sleep by easing the transition between wakefulness and drowsiness. I have found great calming by listening to guided meditations and particularly like those guided by Stin Hansen. She sponsors the free podcasts Meditation Station and My Thought Coach
12. Get comfortable. Sleeping clothes should be loose and comfortable and sheets should be fresh and clean. Your mattress and pillows should be those you find the coziest and most comfortable. Do you need any sleeping upgrades?
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