Forward this email to your team so they can benefit from the tips, tricks and resources.
Need a weight-loss boost? Get good sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, Americans are getting less, good-quality sleep while our rates of obesity are increasing. Scientists are finding a correlation between these two factors.
The National Institutes of Health found that reduced sleep may lead to overeating. They conducted a two-phase study of 30 normal-weight men and women. In phase one, participants only got four hours of sleep for six days. In phase two, participants got nine hours of sleep for six days. The results? The brains of participants with limited sleep were more responsive to food stimuli. Poor sleep can increase your appetite.
The Sleep Foundation says it comes down to this:
Sleep is essential to regulating the hormones that affect hunger and appetite.
Poor sleep can lower your metabolism, making it harder to burn calories.
Establishing healthy sleep habits can support your weight-loss efforts.
The foundation has some tips for getting a good night’s sleep:
Keep a regular sleep schedule: Big swings in your sleep schedule or trying to catch up on sleep after a week of late nights can cause changes in metabolism and reduce insulin sensitivity, making it easier for blood sugar to be elevated.
Sleep in a dark room: Exposure to artificial light while sleeping, such as a TV or bedside lamp, is associated with an increased risk of weight gain and obesity.
Don’t eat right before bed: Eating late may reduce the success of weight-loss attempts. Regular physical activity and avoiding heavy meals before bed can improve sleep quality and weight management.
Reduce stress: Chronic stress may lead to poor sleep and weight gain in several ways, including eating to cope with negative emotions.
Be an early bird: People with late bedtimes may consume more calories and be at a higher risk for weight gain. Early birds may be more likely to maintain weight loss when compared to night owls.
Weekly weight-loss meditation
Relax your body and mind with this Peaceful Sleep Meditation designed to release tension and prepare you for a peaceful, restorative sleep.
Weekly Blue Cross Virtual Well-Being℠ sessions
Join Cindy and Marissa as they discuss The Power of Glimmers, a term coined by Deb Dana, LCSW. Glimmers are micromoments of connection and regulation that foster feelings of well-being.
MI Blue Daily podcast
Are Power Naps Really Effective for Recharging Your Energy? On this episode, Chuck Gaidica is joined by Dr. Angela Seabright, care management physician for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Together, they discuss the benefits of power naps.
Win by Losing resources
Our suite of resources at bcbsm.com/yourhealth will help you and your team reach your goals with:
Healthy recipes, weight-loss focused meditations, videos from dietitians and health coaches, and off-the-shelf challenges you can use as a team
Competition information, including the team leaderboard, FAQs and the weight-loss submission page
Record this week’s results
Make sure you record your team’s weight-loss progress by 5 p.m. today at bcbsm.com/yourhealth. For the most accurate results, we recommend your team members weigh themselves on the same day and around the same time each week.
*Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network don’t own or control this website.
We’re happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please reach out to us here, and someone from our team will reach out to you directly. If you would like to directly speak to a customer service representative, please call the number listed on the back of your ID card.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
