We are busy and often sacrifice sleep. But oddly, we forget
that adequate sleep plays a huge role in our health, along with a healthy diet
and regular exercise. Sleep not only affects our physical abilities but our
mental and emotional well-being as well. As athletes, we know that during sleep
is the best time for our muscles to heal and recover from the strain we put
them through during exercise.
If you have one or two nights or less than adequate sleep or
poor quality, you may not see it have a huge impact on your performance.
However, consistently getting inadequate sleep can cause subtle changes in
those growth hormone levels that help our muscles heal and recover. It also can
effect the hormone levels related to mood and stress such as cortisol.
Let’s say you are an athlete that uses hand-eye
coordination. With a lack on sleep, you have less overall reaction time. That
ball you normally would’ve caught, will go beside you. Another blame for this
is the lack of ability to stay focused. Let’s say you just want to lose
weight…. sleep! There has been a lot of research on hormones affecting your
appetite and weight and how they can be controlled with sleep or lack there of.
I suggest you go google some of them and check it out.
And lastly, if you’re having trouble going to sleep, change
up your workout or start a workout in general, because I know for a fact that
exercise helps exhaust my body and put me to sleep quicker, longer, and deeper.
Friendly tips to help you sleep include maintaining a
regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends. Make sure your mattress is
not expired. Yes, they can expire, usually 10 years is a solid number to get a
new one. I had mine for over 13, and wow did it make a difference! If you still
have trouble sleeping, do some research and possibly talk to your doctor
because there are underlying conditions. But whatever you do, get some good
rest so you can perform even better!!
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