Sleep is a vital part of improving health, performing better in the gym and in day to day life.
Apart from feeling like crap the next day and general moodiness, a lack of sleep will negatively affect you in a multitude of other ways.
Deep, restful, quality sleep is when our body repairs and recovers, but it is also when our neurotransmitters (feel good hormones) are produced and when our hormones are re-generated (some hormones effect hunger signals)
When you’re stressed/tired your hunger levels can increase, causing us to sometimes over indulge in food that day, not to mention affecting your ability to exercise.
Here are some simple tips for improving your sleep that you could give a try:
· Get a consistent pre-bed routine and aim to be in bed around the same time each night,
· Avoid coffee and other stimulants after 4pm.
· Even though beersies are fun, alcohol is a depressant and can disrupt your normal sleep rhythm. Not to mention lack of sleep on BIG nights.
· Make your room a Bat cave. Your bedroom should be quiet, pitch black and cool. Keep a window open for fresh air.
· Have a technology cut off time before bed. Aim to stop using your laptop, phone or watching TV at least an hour before bed, try reading instead, as long as it’s not anything too stressful, like bills.
· Eating a huge meal just before bed can sometimes disrupt sleep, try eating a little earlier.
· Write a to do list for the following day. If something is stressing you out about the following day sometimes writing it down with the intention of addressing it in the morning can help clear the head.
Sleepwell and you will feel great, have more energy and be able to train harder and make better decisions throughout the day.
