Not sleeping enough can disrupt the metabolic order. Inadequate sleep releases stress hormones like cortisol, which can lead to insulin resistance and hence result in increased blood sugar. These stress hormones can increase your cravings for foods and drinks high in carbohydrates and sugar, which can lead to weight gain and thus type 2 diabetes.
Not just this, inadequate sleep also reduces the hormone leptin, which increases the body's cravings for carbohydrates. Leptin is also responsible for controlling the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Thus, if you are suffering from sleeplessness, you need to keep a track on your sugar levels. As per The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night is important to stay healthy and fit. Feeling tired during the day is a major sign of poor sleep.
Here are more symptoms of sleeplessness
- Slow thinking and less attention
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Weak memory, mood swings
- Feeling anxious, stressed and irritable
If you suffer from the above symptoms, you need to maintain a sleep schedule everyday, even during the weekends. Here are some simple tips to maintain a healthy sleep cycle.
- Your bedroom should be a dark, relaxing and quiet place
- Do not look at screen before sleeping, as it can disrupt sleep
- Stay physically active during the day
- Unwind and relax before going to the bed
- Take a shower and read a book before going to sleep
- Do not take caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, near to the bed bedtime
- Avoid taking naps after 3 pm as that can make you sleep less during the night
