Many consider fitness and nutrition to be the be-all-and-end-all when it comes to achieving peak health and performance, but we tend to forget about another critical factor – sleep.
A quality sleeping routine is of the utmost importance, if not more important than consistent exercise and proper nutrition.
Without a good night’s rest, you immediately increase the risks of experiencing negative side-effects like poor-performance, slower cognition, mood swings, hormone fluctuation, weight gain, depression, and more!
An improved sleeping regimen can provide immediate benefits.
In today’s digital age, workaholics and the “hustle-life” are often put on a pedestal.
However, this attitude can lead to poor sleep cycles, lack of rest and recovery, and, ultimately – burnout.
Instead, we need to flip the switch on what is truly important so that we can tackle life with a new, rejuvenated perspective.
The Benefits of Quality Sleep
Some of the benefits of a proper sleeping routine are:
- Reduced stress;
- Improved mood;
- Improved performance;
- Weight maintenance ;
- Improved brain function;
- Improved mood;
- Lower health/blood markers;
- And more!
As you can tell, this list could be quite lengthy.
Above are just a few of the more prominent benefits that we’ve come to understand.
So, how can one improve their sleep? Great question!
Below, I will suggest a few helpful tips that you can implement into your daily/nightly routines immediately.
So let’s get into it…
Tips to Better Sleep
While I won’t go into detail on every tip, below is a list of tips that you can begin to consider and, hopefully, implement:
- Reduce light exposure before bedtime (especially blue light, emitted by digital devices);
- Avoid overconsumption of caffeine during the day (and avoid it all together closer to bedtime);
- Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every day (consistency is key);
- Set your bedroom temperature to an optimal 70 degrees;
- Consider natural melatonin supplements, if needed;
- If you’re a workaholic, schedule your day to END in the early evening (downtime and unwinding are key to a restful sleep);
- Optimise your lifestyle (i.e. exercise regularly, eat healthy, etc);
- Try to avoid intakes of large amounts of fluids in the hours leading to bedtime, you don’t want a restful nights sleep disturbed because you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night
- If you struggle with sleep, avoid alcohol, sugar, screen-time, etc.
Summary
The importance of sleep is undeniable by looking at the key role it plays in an optimal, healthy lifestyle.
Study after study continues to pop-up to further verify this fact.
If you haven’t yet considered it to be a crucial aspect of health, hopefully this article has enlightened you.
If nothing else, don’t become overwhelmed or concerned.
Simply choose two or three tips from the list above and give it a try.
You’ll thank yourself later!
Thanks for reading, have a great day.
Craig
Do you need confidential help with your health, fitness or nutrition? I have a range of services available, with Personal Training in my Private Gym in Manchester, also at your home or workplace in the surrounding areas. For clients further afield, I provide Online Personal Training, Nutritional Consultancy & Private Fitness Holidays.
