Restful Sleep Fuels Powerful Workouts

Are you getting enough sleep at night? The average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep  each night in order to set themselves up for success the next day. Those who don’t get their nightly quota of sleep in may experience negative effects during their workout  the next day. If you’re ready to take this important part of your health under control, then read on.

Why Is It Important?

Sleep and exercise have a symbiotic relationship with one another. Those who sleep well the night before a workout are better able to handle the stress they put themselves under during training. This, in turn, leads to a better night’s sleep. This cycle continues and can even grow in magnitude as long as you continue sleeping well and workout out.

However, when you don’t get enough sleep the normal relationship between exercise and rest gets thrown off. A bad night of sleep causes an increase in the stress hormone, cortisol. Sleep debt, or continuously not getting enough sleep, also has harmful effects on blood pressure, glucose regulation, and hormone production. In this way, not getting enough sleep actually causes the body to favor losing muscle mass rather than the protein synthesis that’s required to build muscles.

Fixing It

Using sleep as a fuel for your workouts starts with great sleep hygiene. When going to bed, make sure that your  sleep environment is pleasant. Doing things like keeping your bedroom dark, clean, and quiet are a great way to get started with this. Mattress reviews  and online research can take your sleeping space to the next level. When used correctly, all of these tips can add up to a big difference in the quality of your sleep.

You can also take steps to help your sleep routine before going to bed. The following list includes some useful tips:

• Limit your naps to 30 minutes maximum per day.
• Avoid drinks that contain caffeine at night.
• Don’t eat heavy foods late at night.
• Get more sunlight during the day.
• Make sure you workout each day.

Doing all of these things will set you up for success before you even enter your bedroom. Another important thing to consider is the timing of your workouts. Some people experience negative sleeping effects when working out too late at night. Try moving your exercises to a few different times during the day and see which time works best for your sleep routine.

A More Rested Tomorrow

Getting the right amount of sleep each night is just as important as taking the right supplements before your workout and eating healthy food. When used together, all three of these things can fuel your workouts and therefore your fitness to new heights.