If you are finding it hard to shed those last few unwanted pounds (or perhaps the first few unwanted pounds) try getting a better night’s sleep. The Hardaland Health Study investigated the relation between sleep duration and BMI and metabolic issues like hypertension and elevated cholesterol. The study demonstrated a positive association between sleep and hypertension, BMI, and total cholesterol. This study makes a serious case for the old maxim: Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise. Sleep- it’s free and too simple an option to overlook.
 

Bjorvatn B, Sagen IM, Øyane N, Waage S, Fetveit A, Pallesen S, Ursin R. The association between sleep duration, body mass index and metabolic measures in the Hordaland Health Study. J Sleep Res. 2007 Mar;16(1):66-76. PubMed PMID: 17309765. – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17309765