Often, diet and exercise are considered the two most important factors in weight loss. However, sleep is often overlooked as an important lifestyle factor. With that said can weighted blankets help you lose weight? While they do not directly make you lose weight, here’s how they could indirectly help you lose weight, but let’s first talk about some statistics here.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 35.2% of US adults sleep less than 7 hours most nights. Sleeping for less than 7 hours is considered short sleep.
Weight loss is hard, and keeping weight off is equally challenging. Medical professionals are still trying to figure out how sleep relates to body weight. Still, a variety of potential links have emerged that suggest getting a good night’s sleep could help overweight people. The key to weight loss is getting adequate, quality sleep. Furthermore, research shows that losing sleep while dieting decreases weight loss and encourages overeating.
Sleeping less may lead to higher body weight and hinder weight loss for several reasons. This affects several factors, including metabolism, appetite, and food selection. Leptin and ghrelin, two important appetite-stimulating hormones, are affected by sleep. High leptin levels can make us feel fuller since this hormone decreases hunger. On the other hand, a hormone called ghrelin stimulates appetite and is sometimes referred to as the “hunger hormone” because it causes feelings of hunger.
Researchers found that sleep restriction causes ghrelin levels to rise and leptin levels to drop. Additionally, a study that examined 1,024 adults found that short sleep was associated with elevated ghrelin levels and reduced leptin levels. Increasing appetite could make it more difficult to adhere to calorie restrictions and may even encourage overeating. Thus, weight gain may result from increases in food intake due to changes in appetite hormones. Because of these changes in appetite, sleep deprivation may result in weight gain over the long term. Therefore, getting enough sleep should be a priority.
Besides changes in appetite hormones, lack of sleep also impacts food choice and how the brain perceives food. A study has found that reward-related brain areas are more active after sleep loss of only four hours per night for six nights than people who sleep well for six nights of nine hours per night.
Over the last few years, weighted blankets have become increasingly popular, with many people claiming they help them sleep and relieve stress. The heaviness of weighted blankets creates pressure-like effects similar to deep pressure stimulation. The deep pressure stimulation stimulates the nerves by creating a feeling of comfort and warmth in the recipient. This is almost like swaddling the baby while it sleeps. Weighted blankets can help you with:
Weight gain is a major cause of lack of quality sleep. Sleeping less than 7 hours a night is associated with an increased risk of obesity and being overweight. You will lose fat if you sleep better because:
The use of weighted blankets can improve sleep quality in all of these ways. Thus, you’ll feel more refreshed in the morning and have more energy to exercise, which will help you lose weight in the long run.
Although all of this sounds great, a few important caveats need to be understood. Overselling or misrepresenting a product is not something I appreciate. Sleeping with a weighted blanket is not always beneficial. The evidence for the benefits of using weighted blankets for anxiety and insomnia is promising, but the effects are variable. In general, weighted blankets are most effective for people with anxiety disorders or insomnia caused by anxiety. In the case of sleep problems caused by other factors, it isn’t likely to help.
Indirectly, weight loss may not be as effective as likely with a weighted blanket, but the benefit may still be worth it. Weighted blankets, however, develop healthy habits that contribute to good sleep. When you get quality sleep, it is easier to lose weight. However, if you want to lose weight properly and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should choose a weight loss program. Depending on your situation, you may choose the Mayo Clinic Diet or Weight Watchers. They are both excellent weight loss programs.
When it comes to losing weight and becoming healthier, The Mayo Clinic Diet is a great choice. The Mayo Clinic teaches women and men how to track their diet habits and eat healthily by considering all foods. The Mayo Clinic Diet is also a good choice for people who don’t mind cooking for themselves. Recipes on the diet plan are not complicated, but they will require some effort. In addition to changing your habits, you can also become a better person by altering your behavior.
On the other hand, Weight Watchers provides all the tools you need to manage your weight and become healthier. You can use Personal Points to stay on top of your weight while tracking your food consumption. Personal Points keeps a record of your progress. The coaching program and the meetings will give you the personal encouragement you need to stay motivated. Through a simplified points system, it appears to be designed as an aid to helping people change their lifestyles and eating habits. Consuming too much food is more important than what you eat. As a result, dieters are encouraged to make smart choices and take action to live a healthier lifestyle.
The two programs offer positive results for shedding pounds. However, always consult a doctor, registered dietitian, or certified health coach before beginning any weight loss program. See our complete comparison article to learn more about Mayo Clinic Diet or Weight Watchers (WW).
Insufficient sleep leads to high blood sugar and insulin levels since a person can’t properly digest carbohydrates. Additionally, it causes the body to crave carbohydrates by reducing leptin levels. As a result of inadequate sleep, growth hormone levels drop, a protein necessary to maintain body fat and muscle proportions. Furthermore, it can result in insulin resistance, which can increase the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular disease.
Although weighted blankets can assist with weight loss, they won’t do so as you might assume, such as squeezing the fat. They are indirectly responsible for weight loss. When you are anxious, you produce the hormone cortisol. A high cortisol level can lead to weight gain over time as it tells the body to store fat. Weighted blankets reduce anxiety, which decreases cortisol levels and helps with weight loss. Weighted blankets also encourage a healthy lifestyle and contribute to better sleep.
Getting too little sleep can sabotage your attempts to lose weight. There’s no surprise that a lack of sleep leads to poorer food choices, increased calorie intake, less physical activity, and ultimately, weight gain. If you are not experiencing success with your weight loss efforts, you may need to examine your sleep habits. Although individual needs vary, most adults require 7–9 hours of sleep per night. To reach your weight loss goals, you may need to take some much-needed rest.
Effective weight-loss programs should promote healthy behaviors that assist you in losing weight safely, can be followed regularly, and help you remain slim. With successful weight-loss programs like WW, you get fitness recommendations and wellness information.
In conclusion, if you’re willing to spend a few hundred dollars on a weighted blanket, you might be able to get some good sleep. Weighted blankets can improve sleep significantly, help change decision-making, and boost hormone levels conducive to weight loss. Despite evidence that weighted blankets can aid weight loss, it’s important to remember that they are not a miracle cure.
Weighted blankets do not always work in helping you losing weight, and they do not always produce the results you expect. Dieting and exercising regularly is necessary for weight loss.
There are many healthy weight loss programs available based on individual requirements. Finding a safe, sustainable, and effective weight loss program can be challenging when so many are on the market. It is up to you whether you want to follow the Mayo Clinic Diet, Weight Watchers (WW), Medifast, or any other diet plan. However, you should consult your physician before starting any diet plan. If you want to give an extra boost to weight loss, try a weighted blanket to aid in sleep and refresh you.
Mike is one of the lead editors at Weighted Living and the author of this article. He's become fascinated with weighted products (a bit too much we think) and loves to see all the different ways they can improve our loves. He's written quite a few weighted product guides as well.
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