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Lack of sleep and obesity
This isn't actually very recent news, but I was reminded of it by a friend who linked to an article in the Guardian showing that the link between obesity and lack of exercise isn't as clear cut as often assumed.
I became very aware of the link between lack of sleep and obesity through having two friends who suffered from sleep apnea - that's a nasty condition that keeps waking you up in the night. Obesity makes sleep apnea worse - but - and it's a big but - sleep apnea also makes the obesity worse, setting up a vicious circle that is staggeringly difficult to break out of.
There seems to be a connection with hormones. In a nutshell, if you don't get enough sleep, it affects the hormones that regulate appetite.
So, if you have a weight problem, try going to bed an hour or two earlier. You may find it makes a surprising difference.
There's also a connection between lack of sleep and depression It used to be thought that lack of sleep was a symptom of depression. It now seems likely that it's another of those circles and that lack of sleep can actually help cause depression.
In the case of depression, I suspect it's not only necessary to get more sleep, but to try and find techniques to relax and unwind before going to sleep.
(One of the many reasons I enjoy cross stitch is that it's a very good way of mentally relaxing in the last half hour before going to bed. I'd recommend it to anyone)
I became very aware of the link between lack of sleep and obesity through having two friends who suffered from sleep apnea - that's a nasty condition that keeps waking you up in the night. Obesity makes sleep apnea worse - but - and it's a big but - sleep apnea also makes the obesity worse, setting up a vicious circle that is staggeringly difficult to break out of.
There seems to be a connection with hormones. In a nutshell, if you don't get enough sleep, it affects the hormones that regulate appetite.
So, if you have a weight problem, try going to bed an hour or two earlier. You may find it makes a surprising difference.
There's also a connection between lack of sleep and depression It used to be thought that lack of sleep was a symptom of depression. It now seems likely that it's another of those circles and that lack of sleep can actually help cause depression.
In the case of depression, I suspect it's not only necessary to get more sleep, but to try and find techniques to relax and unwind before going to sleep.
(One of the many reasons I enjoy cross stitch is that it's a very good way of mentally relaxing in the last half hour before going to bed. I'd recommend it to anyone)