If you know me, you know I LOVE a good nighttime routine! It’s something I actually look forward to at the end of a busy day, but did you know that getting good sleep consistently is one of the most UNDERRATED tools for your weight loss and health goals?
This is going to be much more effective for long term success than those pesky low carb diets we always hear about 😉 If it’s good sleep forever versus no carbs forever, there’s a clear winner!
Getting good sleep consistently gives your body time to recover and will benefit your body and mind in more ways than you can count! Good sleep starts with a great nighttime routine.
Research has shown that lack of sleep can actually result in less weight lost and increased urge to overeat when following a weight loss plan. Check out this article summarizing a recent study showing a reduction in caloric intake in participants just from increasing hours of sleep by 1.2 hours a night!
Turns out, if you’re not getting enough energy from sleep, our bodies will seek out more energy from food to compensate. Our bodies are smart like that!
I know getting enough sleep with a hectic schedule can be tough for us Busy Gals! If this is something you struggle with regularly, here are some of my favorite tips for developing an awesome nighttime routine that will help you feel your best each day to reach your nutrition and health goals!
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Turn off your overhead lights before bed and turn on some dim lamp lights instead.
Light is one of the most important factors that affects our sleep quality. Limiting bright light before bed helps to signal to our brains that it is time to wind down and get ready for sleep. Our brains also naturally develop melatonin in response to darkness which is SUPER helpful for a good nights sleep!
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Try making some calming herbal tea to wind down.
Herbal tea can help your body and mind calm down at night which can be especially helpful for those crazy busy days! Herbal tea can also help curb nighttime cravings if you’re dealing with some late night munchies.
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I like to recommend most ladies take a magnesium supplement.
Magnesium can help with sleep and stress management. In fact, most consistently stressed out people are magnesium deficient. So if you’re having trouble falling or staying asleep at night, this could be why and a magnesium supplement just might help!
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Try taking a hot shower or bath right before bed to help you relax and get warmed up for great sleep.
In fact, warm water actually helps your body cool itself down so you can sleep like a baby all night long!
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THIS IS A BIG ONE! Avoid looking at your phone or computer right before bed.
There are several reasons that you should totally listen to this tip.
- For one, staying off your phone and email at night will prevent racing thoughts and anxiety from whatever crazy work or life drama you might come across that will keep you up at night.
- Second, artificial light from our phones and computers can mess with our circadian rhythm and signal to our brain that it isn’t time to wind down yet. And remember that melatonin I was talking about earlier in response to darkness? I’m sure you can see why our phones and bright lights would disrupt that. Instead, find something to read while you sip your tea. Or at the very least, get yourself some blue light glasses to watch something fun on TV!
It’s time to make all nighters and staying up until 3am to binge watch the newest Netflix series a thing of the past!!!
In the Busy Gal Nutrition coaching program, we focus on sleep in addition to nutrition because you need both to see maximum results! Need help and accountability to do all of the above? Head to this page to learn more about our one-on-one nutrition coaching program and book a strategy call with us!
Keep all of this in mind once a new season of Stranger Things or Bridgerton comes out 😉
