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Fitness Tip:
The Importance of Sleep
Adequate sleep is crucial for a number of metabolic processes
and is essential for optimal body function. Sleep not only
helps with muscle development but it is also a factor in
weight loss. This is due to sleep loss having an effect on the
body’s level of cortisol, growth hormone and insulin. Cortisol
is released by adrenal glands in response to stress (lack of
sleep been one of the body’s stresses), this in turn causes an
increase in insulin, which promotes fat storage. A lack of
deep sleep, which is known for its restorative properties, is
also linked with reduced levels of growth hormone. This
hormone plays an important role in fat loss and muscle growth.
On the surface inadequate sleep has a number of
negative effects, such as reduced maximal strength, decreased
reaction time, poor heat regulation and the possibility of
mood swings. For athletes or even those involved in mentally
taxing tasks it is recommended that you have 8-10 hours sleep
a night. To help in the quest for quality sleep avoid
stimulants before bed, maintain regular sleep patterns, have
dinner 3-4 hours prior to going to bed and if this fails give
relaxation strategies a go i.e. meditation, baths etc.
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