Obesity and unhealthy lifestyles have become a major problem plaguing many people today. Many people make various efforts to keep their body weight under control. One of them is resting. It may be surprising to many that resting can help control obesity. But, it's true. Doctors say that getting enough rest can help reduce visceral fat.
What is visceral fat?
Visceral fat is the fat that accumulates deep inside the abdomen and around the internal organs. It is different from the fat under the skin. Belly fat can be a health concern, as it is associated with an increased risk of serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.
How does rest help reduce visceral fat?
In a world obsessed with hustle culture, how rest might seem counterintuitive. However, contrary to popular belief, a lot happens in your body during downtime, including regulating fat.
Helps keep your hunger hormones in check:
Adequate sleep helps keep your hunger hormones in check. When ghrelin ("hunger hormone") is high, you feel hungry, which, if left unmanaged, can lead to overeating and increased visceral fat storage. When leptin ("satiety hormone") is sufficient, you feel full, and your body signals to stop eating, helping to prevent excess calorie intake and visceral fat accumulation. Sleep helps balance hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which controls appetite and prevents overeating.
Helps regulate your stress hormones:
Regulating high levels of cortisol, stress hormones, helps reduce visceral fat, as high levels of cortisol promote fat storage around the abdomen, leading to increased visceral fat accumulation; by managing stress and reducing cortisol levels, you can prevent this fat storage and facilitate better fat burning, thus helping to reduce visceral fat. Cortisol's role: When you experience stress, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that signals your body to store fat, especially around the abdomen, where visceral fat is located. You can reduce cortisol levels by practicing stress management.
Some ways to get enough rest:
- Create a regular sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
- Develop a relaxing routine before bed: Take a warm bath, read a book, or listen to calming music.
- Improve the sleeping environment: Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.
- Exercise during the day: Regular exercise can help you sleep better, but avoid exercising a few hours before bed.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption: These can interfere with sleep.
Getting enough rest is essential for a healthy lifestyle. It not only helps reduce visceral fat, but also helps improve overall health.
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