Don't skimp on sleep!

Sleep is very part of your routine to stay healthy. The body needs sleep to rest and recharge. A good night of sleep gives you energy and makes exercising easier. But, is there more??? Recent research says YES! There is a relationship between not getting enough sleep and carrying excess weight. If you consistently get less than 7 hours of sleep a night, this could be affecting the hormones that help you regulate hunger and weight.  Here is more info from webmd about the association between sleep & weight:

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/lack-of-sleep-weight-gain

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/lose-weight-while-sleeping

If you have trouble sleeping, here are some tips to help:

• Make sure your room is at a comfortable temperature.
• Make your bedroom very dark. You can try room darkening shades and eliminate all lighting. A soft sleep mask also does the trick.
• Don't consume caffeine after lunch.
• Do not watch TV, use your computer, or any other screen time in your bedroom, especially right before bedtime.
• Keep a consistent bedtime and waking time. Aim to get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night. 
• Listen to white noise or nature sounds, the ocean is my favorite. 
• One of my doctors told me that sex before bedtime would help me sleep. My immediate response to him was "Every night?!?!" He laughed! At any rate, probably not practical for every night, but it does help you get a good night of sleep.     

Here are more sleep tips from the Mayo Clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep/HQ01387

If you have a new baby in the house, getting enough sleep can be a huge challenge. The trick that worked best for my second child, was to keep her in the light during the day and never turn on lights when tending to her at night. Get a dim night light and learn to operate in the dark. Babies have to learn the difference between day & night to help them get into a good sleep pattern. Follow the link for more tips:  http://www.parents.com/baby/sleep/tips/best-baby-sleep-tips/

Happy slumbering!!