Sriram Machineni, MD, director of the Medical Weight Clinic at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and assistant professor at UNC's School of Medicine, said that "sleep deprivation is linked to higher levels of stress, both of which are closely associated with weight gain." If you haven't slept well, you're more likely to crave sugar for energy. On the other hand, when we get enough good quality sleep (seven to nine hours a night), we feel more energized and inspired to focus on weight-loss strategies.
High cortisol levels from stress can also affect your weight. Charlie Seltzer, MD, a physician board-certified in obesity medicine, said that cortisol is an appetite stimulant, which explains why when you're stressed, you want to eat. And you can have a harder time saying no to carb-heavy, fatty junk foods. So take time each day to relax, whether it's with yoga, meditation, reading on the couch, or listening to calming music.