Healthy lifestyle: sleep + hydration

While nutrition definitely compliments a healthy lifestyle, it is only one piece of the puzzle. We’ve got you covered here at Snap Kitchen with nourishing meals, but when it comes to creating a well-rounded approach to wellness, there are two other key elements to consider. Sleep and hydration.

How does sleep affect my health?

Have you ever felt SO tired from a terrible night of sleep that the next day you can’t seem to shake off a bad mood? (#same 👎🏼 ) Sleep deprivation can lead to mood changes and make us more vulnerable to stress.

Several studies have shown that sleep deficiencies are also related to:

• Chronic health problems (like diabetes and high blood pressure)
• Imbalance of hunger hormones (hello, overeating)
• Increase in blood sugar levels (risk for obesity + diabetes)
• A weaker immune system

Overall, getting quality sleep improves our mental, physical, and emotional health. The National Sleep Association recommends that adults ages 18 years and older get 7-8 hours a day, so the good news is that maybe sleeping in is alright after all. And we know a thing or two about healthy and delicious breakfast prep, so let’s really make this whole “sleeping later” situation happen 😏!

And what about hydration?

Over two-thirds of our body IS made up of water, so everything we do requires the use of water to some degree.
Just like sleep deprivation, being dehydrated might impact our mood by making us feel tired or sluggish. When dehydrated, we might mistake thirst for hunger. Therefore, staying hydrated can help us cope with mindless snacking or overeating.
Additional benefits to staying hydrated:

• Improves skin health
• Better digestion
• Helps muscles and joints
• Mental alertness

While the amount of water we need varies with individual goals, a general recommended amount is to drink half of your body weight (in pounds) in ounces, but it’s up to you to judge how much works for your body. Generally, if you’re more physically active or live in a hot climate, you’ll need additional water to rehydrate.

Along with nutrition and stress management, both sleep quality and hydration play important roles in forming and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you’ve already been working to improve your nutrition, it might be time to consider incorporating some goals related to sleep and hydration!

Want to eat well, cook never? We’ve got you covered with our dietitian-curated meals.