
Your body never stops burning calories, even when you're asleep. The number of calories burned per hour of sleep varies depending on factors such as weight, metabolism, sleep quality, age, gender, and muscle mass. To increase the number of calories burned during sleep, you can increase your basal metabolic rate (BMR) through physical exercise, building muscle mass, and improving sleep quality. Sleeping in a cooler room can also increase calorie expenditure, as your body works harder to maintain its core temperature. While sleep is not a substitute for physical activity and a healthy diet, it is an important factor in weight management and overall health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of calories burnt per hour of sleep | 40-80 calories per hour, with an average of 50 calories per hour |
| Number of calories burnt during an 8-hour sleep | 400 calories |
| Factors that influence the number of calories burnt during sleep | Weight, metabolism, sleep duration, muscle mass, fitness, diet, age, genetics, gender, race, hormones, medical conditions, temperature of the room, sleep quality |
| Ways to increase the number of calories burnt during sleep | Increase basal metabolic rate (BMR) by exercising, building muscle mass, eating right, sleeping well, sleeping in a cool room |
| Calculating BMR | Use equations that factor in weight, height, age, and gender or use a calorimeter |
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What You'll Learn

The number of calories burned per hour of sleep
Weight plays a significant role in the number of calories burned during sleep. The larger an individual's body mass, the more calories they will burn while resting or sleeping. For example, a person weighing 125 pounds burns approximately 38 calories per hour of sleep, while a person weighing 185 pounds might burn around 56 calories per hour.
Metabolism, specifically basal metabolic rate (BMR), is another critical factor. BMR represents the number of calories burned at rest or during sedentary activities like sleeping. It is influenced by various factors, including weight, height, age, gender, muscle-to-fat ratio, genetics, hormones, and medical conditions. The Harris-Benedict equation is commonly used to estimate BMR by taking these factors into account. To calculate the approximate calories burned per hour of sleep, one can divide their BMR by 24 and then multiply by 0.85 to account for the lower metabolic rate during sleep.
Fitness level and body composition also impact the number of calories burned during sleep. Individuals with higher muscle mass and those who are regularly active tend to burn more calories at rest. This is because muscle burns more calories than fat. Additionally, age plays a role, with growing children having a higher metabolism, while metabolic needs decrease as we age.
While it is not a primary weight loss strategy, sleeping does burn calories. The number of calories burned per hour of sleep can range from 38 to 80 calories, depending on individual factors. For example, a person weighing 155 pounds who sleeps for eight hours might burn around 300 calories, while a 40-year-old man weighing 195 pounds and sleeping for eight hours might burn approximately 535 calories.
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Factors affecting the number of calories burned during sleep
The number of calories burned during sleep is influenced by various factors, including:
Weight
The number of calories burned during sleep increases with body weight. For example, a person weighing 56 kg might burn 38 calories per hour while sleeping, whereas a person weighing 83 kg could burn around 56 calories per hour. This is because muscle mass burns more calories at rest than fat.
Metabolism
A person's metabolism influences the number of calories burned during sleep. A faster metabolism will result in more calories burned. Metabolism can be affected by factors such as age, gender, muscle-to-fat ratio, genetics, hormones, and medical conditions. For instance, men generally have a higher basal metabolic rate (BMR) than women, and muscle burns more calories than fat.
Sleep Quality and Quantity
The quality and quantity of sleep can also impact the number of calories burned. Poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep can negatively affect metabolism, leading to a decrease in calories burned. Additionally, during the REM stage of sleep, when brain activity and heart rate are higher, more calories are burned compared to the non-REM deep sleep stage.
Diet
Eating certain foods before bed may temporarily increase metabolism through thermogenesis, potentially leading to more calories burned during sleep. However, eating large meals right before bedtime may disrupt sleep quality.
Exercise
Engaging in regular exercise, especially strength training, can increase muscle mass, which in turn can boost metabolism and the number of calories burned during sleep.
While these factors can influence the number of calories burned during sleep, it is important to note that sleep alone is not a significant weight-loss strategy. A healthy diet and regular exercise are more effective for long-term weight loss.
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Increasing the number of calories burned while sleeping
The number of calories burned while sleeping depends on various factors, including weight, metabolism, sleep duration, muscle mass, and genetics. Here are some ways to increase the number of calories burned during sleep:
Strength Training
Strength training is an effective way to increase your basal metabolic rate and keep your body in calorie-burning mode even while you sleep. Incorporate strength training exercises that target large muscle groups such as the glutes, legs, arms, back, and core. You can use dumbbells or resistance bands for your workouts. Alternatively, you can turn your walks into strength training sessions by carrying light dumbbells or wearing ankle weights.
Sleep in a Cool Room
Sleeping in a cool room can increase the number of calories burned. When exposed to cooler temperatures, your body works harder to maintain its core temperature, leading to increased calorie expenditure. However, it is important to note that the impact of this factor may be minimal compared to overall daily calorie burn.
Eat Smaller Meals at Night
Eating large meals close to bedtime can disrupt your body's ability to metabolize food efficiently. Instead, opt for smaller meals in the evening, and try to finish dinner at least three hours before bedtime. This will help prevent your body from storing food as fat instead of using it as fuel.
Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Aim for seven to nine hours of consistent sleep each night. A well-rested body is key to optimizing your metabolism and regulating appetite-controlling hormones. A disrupted sleep schedule can negatively impact your metabolism and lead to weight gain.
Other Tips
- Incorporate cardio exercises like running or walking into your weekly routine.
- Avoid stimulants like caffeine and nicotine before bed as they can disrupt sleep.
- Practice relaxing activities before bed, such as yoga or meditation, to improve sleep quality.
- Keep your bedroom dark to promote better sleep and potentially increase calorie burn.
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Calculating the number of calories burned while sleeping
The body continues to burn calories during sleep to sustain life and essential bodily functions. The number of calories burned while sleeping depends on several factors, including the time spent sleeping, the person's weight, and their overall health. On average, people burn between 1 and 2 calories per minute, or 60 to 120 calories per hour, while sleeping.
To calculate the number of calories burned while sleeping, you can use the following formula:
Calories burned = (BMR / 24) x number of hours asleep x 0.85
Here, BMR refers to Basal Metabolic Rate, which is the number of calories burned by the body at rest over a 24-hour period. The Harris-Benedict equation can be used to estimate BMR by taking into account an individual's sex, height, weight, and age. The equations are as follows:
- For males: BMR = 66.5 + (13.8 x weight in kg) + (5 x height in cm) – (6.8 x age in years)
- For females: BMR = 655 + (9.6 x weight in kg) + (1.8 x height in cm) – (4.7 x age in years)
It is important to note that these calculations provide only a rough estimate of BMR and calories burned while sleeping. The actual number of calories burned can vary depending on various factors, including muscle mass, genetics, race, hormones, and medical conditions. Additionally, the quality and duration of sleep can also impact the number of calories burned.
While burning calories during sleep is a natural process, it is not a significant factor in weight loss or management. Skipping sleep may lead to a temporary increase in calories burned, but chronic sleep loss is linked to obesity and other negative health consequences. Therefore, focusing on healthy habits such as proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep is more beneficial for overall health and weight management.
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The impact of sleep on appetite and weight management
Sleep has a significant impact on appetite and weight management. While the number of calories burned during sleep is relatively low, the body's metabolic rate tends to decrease during this time. This means that the quality and duration of sleep can have a notable influence on appetite and weight control.
Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increase in calorie consumption and a preference for high-calorie, weight-gain promoting foods. This is due in part to the disruption of appetite-regulating hormones, specifically leptin and ghrelin. Leptin, often referred to as the "satiety hormone," signals the body to feel full after a meal. Conversely, ghrelin stimulates appetite and makes individuals feel hungry. Sleep loss leads to decreased leptin levels and increased ghrelin levels, resulting in increased hunger and decreased satisfaction after meals. This can contribute to junk food cravings and overeating.
In addition to hormonal imbalances, sleep deprivation can alter the brain's decision-making processes regarding food choices. Studies have shown that sleep loss decreases activity in the frontal cortex and insula cortex, regions responsible for evaluating food desirability. Simultaneously, there is increased activity within the amygdala, which is associated with the salience of food decisions. These neural changes further contribute to the increased desire for high-calorie foods observed in sleep-deprived individuals.
The relationship between sleep and weight management goes beyond calorie consumption. Sleep quality and duration impact the neuroendocrine appetite control system, affecting metabolic rate and weight loss interventions. Poor sleep patterns have been associated with increased energy intake, particularly from snacking on foods rich in fat and carbohydrates. Additionally, when individuals are tired, they may have less energy and willpower to make healthy food choices, further contributing to excessive calorie consumption.
To promote healthy weight management, it is essential to prioritize sleep alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise. Getting sufficient, restful sleep allows the body to regulate hormone production, maintain a healthy balance of appetite and satiety, and support overall weight management. By understanding the impact of sleep on appetite and metabolism, individuals can make informed decisions to improve their health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, your body never stops burning calories, even when you're sleeping. Your body burns calories to keep your heart beating, lungs breathing, and metabolism functioning.
The number of calories burned during sleep varies from person to person and depends on various factors, including weight, metabolism, sleep quality, age, gender, and muscle mass. On average, an adult burns around 50 calories per hour of sleep.
To increase the number of calories burned during sleep, you need to increase your basal metabolic rate (BMR). This can be done by exercising regularly, building muscle mass, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting good quality sleep.
Your BMR can be calculated using equations that factor in your weight, height, age, and gender. There are also devices like calorimeters that measure the amount of energy consumed by analyzing oxygen and carbon dioxide inhaled and exhaled.
Here are some tips to optimize your sleep for better calorie burning:
- Exercise regularly, especially in the evening before bedtime.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
- Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bed.
- Keep your bedroom cool as sleeping in a cooler environment may increase calorie expenditure.

































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