** This thread discusses the content article: Sleep - The Often Forgotten Key To Faster Recovery Time and Injury Healing **

Maimonides once wrote that he who sleeps for 8 hours in the night will accomplish more due to his higher energy level than one who had only slept for 4. This was true in the 11th century, and it is true now in the 21st century.


Why is Sleep So Important?


Sleep helps to improve concentration, organize your memory, deeply set into your mind what you learned during the day, and much, much more. It also releases growth hormones that are key to restoring and repairing your physical body.


How Sleep Works.


Sleep is made up of "sleep cycles." Each cycle is made up of 4 stages. Drowsiness, Light Sleep, Deep Sleep (associated with phyical healing and giving strength to the immunity system), and Deep Sleep with REM or Rapid Eye Movement (associated with mental and emotional healing). Each cycle lasts around an hour and a half. Ever wake up after sleeping for only a few hours of sleep and feel great, or wake up after a long 10-hour sleep and feel groggy? That has to do with your sleep cycle. If you wake up in the middle of the cycle, you feel groggy and disoriented, whereas if you wake up at the end of the cycle, you'll feel refreshed. (Here's a great article that delves more extensively into sleep and sleep cycles.)





[Dogs have a no-nonsense approach when it comes to getting in a good sleep, no matter where they happen to be!]


Maximize How Much You Get Out Of Your Sleep


While studies show that the average adult male or female needs 7-8 hours of sleep, quality of sleep is critical to making sure you wake up refreshed. Make sure to get the most out of your precious sleep time. For one, don't exercise right before you go bed. Exercising releases endorphines and gives you a rush, and if done right before you go to bed, can disturb your sleep.


Exercising in the morning or the afternoon is a great way to ensure you get a good nights sleep. Also, make sure that everyday, even on a non-workout day, that you do some kind of physical exertion. Even if it means just going for a quick walk. Your body is built for physical exercise, and when done, your sleep will immediately be deeper and more fulfilling.


Scientists Are Finding Out More and More About Sleep and Its Connections To A Healthy Life


Here's an interesting article discussing how sleep helps the mind to overcome emotional stress and anxiety, and leads to a happier and more positive outlook during the day. This is aside from the already well-known effects of sleep such as releasing hormones like growth hormone that help repair the body, including the muscles that are worn down from a hard workout. There's no question that we are just beginning to understand how important sleep really is.


Tonight, take the first step in enhancing the quality of your life and recovering more quickly from your workout or an injury by getting a good nights sleep.


You'll thank me in the morning!