

Sleep is important for so many aspects of our ability to function in life: Storing memories, clearing toxins from our brains, hormone and appetite regulation, cognition, decision making, reflexes and more. You might think sleep is for the weak, but in the end, those who sleep aren't weak of mind.
Research shows sleep deprived people consume more calories, exercise less and, as a result, are more likely to be overweight or obese. On the flip-side, there's research showing that losing weight helps you sleep better. A new study found that participants who lost 5% of their body weight had better sleep quality and increased their sleep time by almost 22 minutes. Maybe we should update the phrase "work hard and play hard" to "work hard, play hard and sleep harder".
So what do you do to prevent... or rather, induce world war zzzzz?
- Avoid large meals close to bed time
- Avoid late night alcohol and caffeine (yep, Captain Obvious at your service)
- Unplug from your phone (computer, tv and other devices)
- Yes, research shows these interfere with circadian rhythms
- Foods like grains, bananas and chickpeas contain potassium and vitamin B6, which are needed to make melatonin, a hormone related to sleep
- Relax with caffeine-free tea, a bath or some yoga
- Don't go to bed hungry
Avoid being the unlikable Hulk, get your beauty sleep and sleep like you're dead to avoid becoming dead.