the connection between sleep and fitness
Introduction It's no secret that sleep is important for your health. You might even be sleeping more than you realize! But how does this affect your fitness goals? In this article, we'll explore the connection between sleep and fitness, what it means for you, and how you can use this knowledge to improve your overall health. Sleep deprivation can lead to overeating. What happens when you don't get enough sleep? You're more likely to eat junk food, and it can lead to weight gain. "Sleep deprivation increases your appetite by making you feel hungrier," says Dr. Charles Czeisler, director of the Division of Sleep and circadian Disorders at Harvard Medical School. "It also makes you less likely to feel full after eating." This is because ghrelin, a hormone that signals hunger in the brain and stomach, is released during sleep deprivation—and it's higher than normal levels when we're awake. The same goes for leptin: Your body naturally produces le...