24.10.16 – Number 7: Get plenty of sleep

Research shows that sleep is vital for a healthy body, boosting our immune function and metabolism as well as supporting our brain function (i.e. memory and learning). Lack of sleep has been shown to cause inflammation, which is bad news for our long-term health. Inflammation is linked to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression, arthritis and premature aging.

Inadequate sleep also causes weight gain, as our Leptin levels drop (i.e. our “appetite hormone”) and it’s well known that when you’re tired you’re more likely to crave high-calorie food. So, try and grab that eight hours a night or a ‘nanna nap’ here and there whenever you can.