It is well known that we as adults need at least 8 hours sleep each night and that children need between 9-18 hours of sleep a day, depending on their age. Sleep time is very important for various reasons. It is during this time that we allow our body to physically wind down after a busy day and it is during this time that we store memories and make sense of information gathered over the day. It is also during sleep that we regulate hormones connected to hunger and satiety.

According to research by Columbia University Medical Center, not only do people who sleep 5 hours a night  or less have a 60 percent higher risk of obesity than those sleeping 7 hours; Those getting less sleep had a 47 percent greater risk of diabetes, and a 60 percent greater likelihood of developing hypertension over a decade!

Now, when you embark on your next weight loss plan, remember to make time for meals, exercise and 9 hours of sleep. You will have less exposure to food during  what a lot of people describe as the ‘danger’ time. This is the down time at the end of the day when you finally have time to yourself. Not only that but with sufficient sleep you will feel less hungry between meals and more satisfied after meals and more able to cope with stress without resorting to food. Try it for a few days and let me know what you find.