(Courtesy MyFoxAtlanta)
Having a hard time resisting a doughnut or biscuits and gravy? You may be hungry for sleep, and experts say there's a big connection between your sleep and your weight, MyFoxAtlanta reported.
The problem may be your bedroom.
Over the last decade, several studies have shown how you sleep dramatically affects your weight. The less sleep you get, the more you crave high-fat, high-sugar comfort foods.
Psychologist and sleep specialist Dr. Michael Breus said if you can solve your sleep issues, the weight will come off. The first place to start is to look around your bedroom for what's working and what's not working.
"Walk into your bedroom and take a look around, and how does it make you feel?" Breus asked.
If "stressed" is the answer, Breus said start rethinking your room -- focusing on your senses. First is sight.
"Too much light can actually make it difficult to fall asleep. So one of the things I do is I ask people to take the bedside lamp and use a 40 watt bulb instead of a 90 watt bulb," said Breus.
Next, Breus said, is to listen.
"We know that if it's too quiet, it's hard to fall asleep, and if it's too noisy it's hard to fall asleep," Breus explained.
If you can't stand the silence, turn on a fan or a sound machine.
"Believe it or not, ocean sounds have been shown to help people fall asleep, any type of meditation, or relaxation, like an audio relaxation can also be quite helpful," he said.
If the TV helps you fall asleep, Breus says leave it on.
Next, think about your bed.
"And most people don't think about this, but your mattress and your sheets have a lot to do with you how sleep," Breus added.
Breus says think of your bedding as "performance equipment."
"The easiest way to ruin your mattress is to have a cheap pillow," he said. "So I often tell people, "Don't just go out and get the $7 what-have-you. Really get a pillow that fits you and your sleep needs."
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