News: Is a consistent bed time the key to weight loss?

If you want to lose weight, you might want to stop staying up late and sleeping in – and start a consistent sleep schedule instead.

A new study, published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, shows a link between consistent sleep patterns and weight loss in adult women.

‘We have these internal clocks and throwing them off and not allowing them to get into a pattern does have an impact on our physiology,’ the study’s lead author Bruce Bailey said in a news release.

The researchers found that study participants who went to bed and woke up at about the same time each day had lower body fat. They also found that the ideal amount of sleep for lower body fat is 8 to 8.5 hours a night.

We agree – waking up early can be hard, especially during cold, dark Canadian winters. To get an early start, try these tricks for becoming a morning person.

If falling asleep is the problem, maybe it’s time to get into a sleep routine. Here’s how.

And, if you can’t seem to shut off those noisy thoughts, here’s how to quiet your mind for a better sleep.

Now go get some shuteye! The result could be a happier, healthier and slimmer you.

-Katharine Watts, associate web editor

Related:
‘ Why sleep helps you lose weight
‘ 4 foods to help you sleep
‘ Could candlelit yoga help you sleep better?