Sleeping more can help you lose weight. This doesn’t mean you can sleep on the couch for hours on end. But research shows that sleep deprivation can cause hormonal and metabolic changes that can lead to weight gain. Plus, when you’re feeling sluggish, you’re more likely to crave more fuel and increase your empty calorie intake with items like chips or cookies..

Jana Klauer, MD, from the St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York explains: “When we sleep too little, we produce more cortisol, the stress hormone in the body. Cortisol, in turn, causes the release of insulin and higher insulin levels are associated with increased weight because insulin is a hormone that promotes fat storage.”

Orfeu Buxton, PhD, from the Women’s Hospital in Boston adds: “With sleep restriction, even when the level of activity and the amount of calories are constant, the body says, ‘I need more food.’ This is inappropriate and may lead to overeating and potentially to obesity in the long term.”

So if weight is an issue for you, make sure you get the sleep you need to offset any weight gain. A good nights sleep means more energy to hit the gym too!