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Strange But True: You Can Lose Weight While You Sleep

One simple thing you can do to sleep better and lose weight at the same time.

By Margaret MinnicksPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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Most people will not believe they can lose weight while sleeping until they try this simple method. On the other hand, some people who performed this simple act by accident noticed they were losing weight. At first, they did not know why they were losing weight because they had not put forth a special effort to do so. After evaluating what they had been eating and drinking, they couldn't pinpoint anything that caused them to lose weight. They noticed there had not been any change in their exercising routine.

They finally discovered why they were unintentionally losing weight. They were as surprised as you might be when you know what simple act can cause you to lose weight while you sleep.

Open Your Window and Lose Weight

(Photo via commons.wikimedia.org)

Losing weight as you sleep is as simple as opening your bedroom window at night. Admittedly, it is hard to understand how getting fresh air while you sleep could cause you to lose weight.

Even opening your bedroom window a tiny crack is better than not opening it at all. When you open your window at night, four things happen.

  • You relax and fall asleep sooner.
  • You sleep better.
  • You stay cool during the night.
  • You lose weight without really trying.
  • Health Properties of Fresh Air

    Fresh air is always good, and a recent scientific study has enough evidence to prove it. According to scientists at Is It Bad For You, fresh air definitely has health properties. Those properties include losing weight while you sleep. You might be wondering why that is so.

    (Photo via "Is It Bad For You")

    If you open your bedroom window at night, the humid air from inside the room will flow outside, and the dry air from outside will go into your bedroom. That creates a less humid environment and prevents dehydration. The cooler temperature is a great help for you to burn fat while doing nothing except getting a good night's sleep.

    Colder Temperatures Stimulate Metabolism

    Ashley Grossman, a research scientist at Oxford University explains that colder temperatures stimulate metabolism because a person uses energy to stay warm. The body burns calories while generating heat at the same time. That results in a significant amount of weight loss.

    Scientists also explain that people have two kinds of fat: brown fat and white fat. All fat is not equal because brown fat is the good fat that burns calories whenever the body needs to stay warm. However, a person's body doesn’t store very much brown fat. On the other hand, there is plenty of bad white fat that gets stored in the body. That's the kind of fat that gives some people flabby bellies and thunder thighs.

    Good News

    There is good news concerning the body's brown fat. If you sleep with a window open, the cold air quickly decreases the brown fat in your body. Then the body converts the extra white fat into brown fat in order to generate heat and keep you warm. You burn bad white fat while you sleep, and you end up with a noticeable weight loss.

    Sleeping also leads to weight loss when you limit your exposure to blue light right before going to bed to help regulate your circadian rhythm. Blue light throws your circadian rhythm out of sync. It mimics light from the sun causing your brain to think it is daytime.

    Irregular circadian rhythms make your body hold onto fat. That would not be the case with regular circadian rhythms. In order to eliminate the effects of blue light is to limit your exposure to watching television, using your computer and cell phone a few hours before bedtime. You will get a good night's sleep and lose weight when you do two things.

  • Keep your blue light exposure to a minimum.
  • Keep your bedroom window open while you sleep.
  • More Good News

    Professor Grossman, who conducted the Oxford study, says that this is not a gimmick. He insists that burning fat while sleeping in a cold room is the real deal. The professor believes that lowering the temperature even a few degrees might even help those who have Type-2 diabetes.

    The Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands conducted a similar study about the benefits of cool air in a bedroom. The study concluded that people will notice a weight loss if the thermostat is kept at around 60 degrees for a few hours during the day.

    According to a scholar at the National Sleep Foundation, several other benefits of fresh air and a cool bedroom are evident.

    • A lower temperature tells the body that the day is over, and it’s time for bed.
    • Cool air is helpful for people suffering from insomnia who have a hard time falling to sleep.
    • Fresh air makes people relax and get sleepy.
    • Fresh air has a cooling effect, which helps people sleep better when they do fall asleep.

    The Bottom Line

    If you would rather lose weight while sleeping instead of being on a rigid diet, then open your bedroom window in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. You will feel much better after getting a good night's sleep and especially after seeing how much weight you can lose without much effort.

    Disclaimer

    The writer of this article is not a sleep therapist or a weight loss specialist. The content is for informational purposes only and is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for formal and individualized diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed medical professional. Consult with a qualified provider for help with weight loss, sleep problems, and diabetes.

    weight loss
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    About the Creator

    Margaret Minnicks

    Margaret Minnicks shares articles with readers all over the world. Topics include celebrities, royal family, movies, television, foods, drinks, health issues, and other interesting things. Thanks in advance for TIPS that are sent my way.

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