Daily Health Tips

Daily Health Tips update for January 24:

Not getting enough sleep can make us irritable, fatigued and impaired and as well as cause weight gain. Insufficient sleep can disrupt the hormones that control hunger and appetite. It’s well-publicized that adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night (more for children). Various studies say that if you sleep fewer than six hours a night, you can gain up to 11 pounds over a period of six years. That may not seem like much, but it will add up.

Contrary to what you might think, you can’t just “catch up” on sleep by sleeping in on the weekends. Trying to make up for it usually backfires by causing insomnia on Sunday nights. If you have trouble sleeping, sit down with your doctor to figure out what could be causing the problems. Making lifestyle and diet changes, along with establishing a bedtime routine, can help. By taking responsibility for your sleep problems, you’ll look and feel better.

Source: iVillage