The Link Between Poor Sleep and Poor Diet

By Stepy Kamei

Two of the most important factors when it comes to your overall health and wellness are your sleeping regimen as well as your diet. For years, numerous studies have shown that there is a definitive link between people who sleep well and eat nutritious meals and an improved sense of well-being overall. Conversely, studies have also revealed a connection between people who sleep poorly and don't receive enough nutritional value in their meals throughout the day, and the development of a wide variety of health issues. Weight gain, depression, heart disease, inflammation, and cognitive issues are just a few of the many health concerns that can develop as a result of poor sleep and dietary hygiene. Interestingly, sleep and diet may be more closely linked than we previously realized. This means that working to improve the status of one can greatly improve the other. So, keep on reading to learn more about the ways in which you can work on improving your sleep as well as your diet for better physical and mental health.

How Sleep and Diet Impact Each Other

When it comes to these two lifestyle factors, it's important to think of them as having the ability to impact one another. Interestingly enough, research has shown that, since the beginning of humankind, a lack of sleep prods in us a desire for foods that are fatty or otherwise unhealthy.

Taking this information one step further, scientists now know that when the body is sleep-deprived, it produces higher levels of the hormone ghrelin, which increases hunger. Meanwhile, the hormone leptin decreases, which is responsible for burning calories and suppressing your appetite. When you put this helpful information together, it begins to make sense why sleep and diet are so interconnected.

Making Sleep and Healthy Dieting a Priority 

It should be clear now that in order to truly live the healthiest lifestyle you can, it's crucial to focus on improving your sleep hygiene as well as paying close attention to the kinds of foods you eat on a daily basis. Sleep and diet need to be priorities in your daily planning.

For starters, focus on consuming foods which are high in lean protein, whole grains, and fresh produce. Avoid foods that can cause inflammation and restlessness, such as fats, sugar, and salt, which can keep you up when you want to get to sleep.

As for improving your sleep, consider starting up a nighttime routine to signal to your body that it's time to rest. You can do this by spraying aromatherapy scents in your bedroom, taking a bath, or reading in bed. Try to keep all electronics away from the bedroom because the blue light can falsely signal to your brain that it needs to stay awake.

Follow these simple tips to get your sleep and diet to optimal levels of wellness.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in College Station, Tex.