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Tip of the Week: Go to bed when you are tired!

Sleep is one of the best diet aids out there. Overeating often happens out of exhaustion as opposed to lack of willpower. Getting too little sleep can cause you to gain weight and keep it on for several reasons.

Why do some of us have such a hard time knowing when to put ourselves to bed? We tend to stay up too late cramming work in, watching television, surfing the internet or just loafing around. Of course, there are other instances when we simply can't get the rest that we need due to too many responsibilities and not enough time.

So many of us have eaten too much for too long and now we can't tell when we're biologically hungry. Similarly, many of us have stopped being able to detect when we're exhausted. In order to push past the tiredness and keep our motors running we overeat or binge. Getting too little sleep also produces hormones that make us hold onto extra weight. In other words, a little extra shut eye will prevent you from consuming late night calories and will also physically help your body to keep weight off. Not to mention when you're well rested you can handle the stressors of life more efficiently and won't turn to food as an escape nearly as much.

Take notice when you're over tired and what you do about it. Ask yourself what it would take to grant yourself permission to go to bed.

Shrink Yourself will help you understand and address your needs from the simplest biological needs, like sleep and hunger, to the most complex emotional needs like self-sabotage and the fear of success.


	Shrink Yourself has helped thousands of people with the 12-week online program. With its tested method, it helps you end cravings, food addiction, overeating, emotional eating and even yo-yo diets. Learn about the program!

13 Comments In the order they were posted.

Helen said...

A good point, but those of us with small children will often simply not be able to get enough sleep. Those of us with a full-time job, small children and no partner have an even tougher time getting sleep. That's certainly when my overeating problems started.

Brooke said...

With the many responsibilities that most people have, overeating does stimulate us awake.... my nephew let me know that apples will wake you up faster than most any other food or drink... so crunch away!!!

Gregory said...

I know for me personally, most of the time I eat, overeat or eat when I'm not hungry is when I've been up by myself for a lot longer than most people are. Sometimes its because of the jobs I've had and the one I currently work I routinely work until 0130 or later but other times its pure habit. Unfortunately I eat so much out of habit, I rarely feel hungry so I've almost forgotten what it's like to feel hungry and then eat.

Sasha said...

I totally agree....when I am tired I crave sugar. I have learned that is the tip off for me that I am tired.

Coyote said...

My energy sinks around 3pm in the afternoon and snacking started shortly thereafter UNTIL I learned about Power Napping. I lie down and nap or just meditate but only for 20 minutes. If I have a lot to do that afternoon, I have a cup of coffee before the nap. When I get up I'm ready to go and the short "siesta" doesn't upset my regular sleep patterns.

Sandra said...

The recent research about lack of sleep and weight gain is interesting and in my situation a losing battle as I sleep between 5 and 6 hours most nights. I wake up early and have no problem getting started but I lack energy and usually feel tired and sleepy by midafternoon. When I get home I prepare dinner, eat and watch TV until ll when I go to sleep. I don't snack after dinner. I try to limit my caffine to 2 mugs in the morning. But nothing I've tried helps me sleep longer than the 5-6 hrs. So in my situation it is easier to control the amount of food I eat rather than the amount of sleep I get. The only other solution would be to resort to medication which I really don't want to do as this has been a life long problem. Sandy

Rose said...

For years I worked second shift at the hospital, and that is when my weight started to climb. Between the demands of a large family and work, I was lucky to get 6 hours of sleep every night. I always insisted that someday they would discover that lack of sleep kept weight on. I knew that I ate to get the strength that I needed to go on. Now the research has finally proven that. Thanks for all of your interesting and worthwhile tips.

Inogen said...

Sandra - I have never been able sleep either but I have found the answer. Try Dr Stuart's Valerian Plus teabags, containing valerian and hops. It really works and I recommend it regularly. Look in health shops or on the internet - please try it.

Carolyn Kay said...

HALT is an acronym in the 12-Step programs. It means never get Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, because we make such bad decisions when we are in any of those states. But as you say, the important thing is to recognize the conditions when they inevitably occur, and do something about them. Immediately. Carolyn Kay

Julie-Anne said...

I couldn't agree more, this is something that goes hand in hand with my eating issues. The times when I can't put myself to sleep how ridiculous does that sound are the times when my eating is most out of control. I go to bed feeling dreadful, and guilty and wake up exhausted. If I find "the power" to actually get to bed at a reasonable time then life is so much better especially where my eating is concerned! These tips are invaluable - and I'm finally beginning to think that there might be a way to end this eating madness and have a more wholesome life. Thanks so much Dr. Gould

Patricia A. Samson said...

I can´t agree more. I have noticed that most people overeat when they stay up late, including myself. Having a nice rest helps you control your eating misbehaviour. Natural remedies are a good solution when you can´t sleep. Thanks for the good tips!!

Yvonne said...

This website has got it going on in terms of emotional eating. I binge when I feel tired and exhausted too and it's been going on for years. The crazy thing is it plays havoc with my blood sugar levels as I crave sugary junk food not too mention my moods. In the last two weeks I have been trying to do something different I've still ate but I try to make sensible choices so instead of cakes or chocolate etc I'll have fruit like strawberries and grapes topped with lashings of low fat yoghurt it seems to satisfy my cravings and is a lot less damaging. I'm looking forward to starting Shrink Fast's on-line course!

Denise said...

The sleep issue for me is probably the final frontier for me, when it comes to tackling how to get sleep. I work graveyards and quite honestly don't know how to make myself sleep. I can fall asleep and sleep very soundly and very deeply for the first 4-5 hours when I sleep in the daytime. I do try to lay down and get a nap, or at least rest before the next shift. Part of the issue is that I know I burn the candle at both ends and there are people who are counting on me and I do have to make sure that I can make time each day for exercise and my routine. On my weekends, I can usually sleep around the clock. It's not ideal, but it is the way my life works. I do try to recognize when I get over-exhausted... can you get more than exhausted? wry smile I will clear my schedule for more rest time. I cannot guarantee that I will sleep, but I will make myself stay in bed.

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Tip of the Week: Go to bed when you are tired!

End
Emotional
Eating