0800 298 8988

Healthy sleep routines and weight-loss: Wellness tips for Summer

Summer is here and the weather has warmed up nicely meaning more time outdoors in the fresh air, which all helps with those ‘feel-good’ vibes. And in addition to the many and varied benefits of losing weight with our TotalFast plan, it’s also time think more broadly about self-care and consider how we can take time out to focus on ourselves using the below, tried and tested wellness tip. LighterLife’s head of nutrition and research, Dr Kelly Johnston, explains why…

Promote good Sleep Hygiene

The detrimental effects of poor sleep quality and quantity are fairly well understood, and it’s really not great news. So, what are some tips for improving your sleep quality, which aside from helping you look and feel better, can also help you in your weight-loss journey.

Your bedtime routine is important.

Try to always go to bed and wake at the same time, each day, if you can. The odd lie-in might feel good after a particularly late night, but consistent sleep patterns are shown to improve sleep quality overall and prevent disruptive changes in metabolism like decreased insulin sensitivity and increased hunger.

Stop the late-night munchies

If you feel hungry before bed, try to have a drink instead and avoid eating those late-night calories. Not that late-night calories are inherently worse, but the body handles them differently, and eating late at night can make you feel hungrier upon waking. Good drinks to try are decaf tea from the leaf, decaf black coffee or a glass of water.

Switch off your devices!

Keeping a regular sleep schedule can be a beneficial thing to do as is turning off all electronic devices at least one hour before bed and instead engaging in a calming activity like yoga or reading which can help you nod off in a timely fashion. And of course, try to sleep in a dark room free from drafts and other disturbances.

Adopting a good sleep routine will enable your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert in the morning ready to start your day. #changeispossible.