Sleep tips from Dr. Michael Roizen

Listen to the interview.

I had the chance to chat with Dr Michael Roizen, author of the Real Age Makeover and co-author of The Real Age Work Out, YOU: the owners manual, YOU the Smart Patient and many more. While you also know him as a  ”friend of Oprah” and a partner with Dr. Oz, you might not know that he’s alsowith the Cleveland Clinic and founder of the Scientific Advisory Board of Real Age Inc, aimed at helping people reverse biological aging and live longer more vibrant lives.

Dr Roizen explained that we all need to get enough sleep- and not just for our looks and energy level!

Lack of sleep causes weight gain (or waist gain, as Dr. Roizen put it) During sleep our brain’s neurotransmitters  are renewed. If you don’t get enough sleep,  your body will need to make up for the lack of fresh neurotransmitters and do what it needs to  get a  ”fix”. -It can get it from sugar- so it will create cravings that cause you to overeat.  (Here’s a tip- if you’re trying to quit smoking, get plenty of sleep, it will help reduce nicotine cravings, too)

How much sleep do you need?  7- to 7 1/2 hours is the average our society needs, with men needing a bit less (6 1/2 -7 hours) and women needing a bit more ( 7 1/2- 8 hours)

You can find out more about the benefits of sleep, plus take the Real Age Quiz, by visiting RealAge.com. The quiz is an eye opener! Dr. Roizen  practices what he preaches and has a “real age” that’s 19 years younger than his “calender age”.   How do you score?