3 Tips to Get a Better Nights Sleep
Making sleep a priority during your fitness journey should be a high priority! Lack of sleep can be a roadblock with people that have busy schedules, very social, or just don’t prioritize sleep in general. Getting a good nights sleep is important for recovery, regeneration, and having the energy to crush the next day! It’s easy to overlook sleep as a factor in regards to a well-rounded fitness/weight loss routine. Below are three tips on how to make sleep a priority in your fitness journey!
Set a Bedtime Each Night
To ensure you get adequet sleep at night, this one is a must. If you are someone who gets up at 4am, you should still be getting the same amount of sleep time as someone who gets up at 7am. Some wearables track sleep and sleeping patterns. These wearables will be able to track how well you sleep (including REM sleep), tossing and turning, and how many total hours.
No Electronics (Minimum 30 minutes before bedtime)
This one is the most tricky task of them all! Once you start implementing this step, it’s easier to grasp. Of course this means to put your phone, watch, and iPad away. Your mind needs to rest, and in order to do that you need your eyes away from the blue lights of electronic devices. We’re all about building healthy habits. Keeping a notepad next to your bed to write down what’s on your mind and what you have to get done the next day, is a great way to clear the mind! Take this time to read your daily devotional! Reading a book also helps. All of these small things can really help someone relax, and get into sleep mode. It DOES take some time to get used to a new routine, but will pay off in the long run.
Know Your Best Time to Workout and Eat
The timing of your workout does matter pertaining to sleep schedule. By this, I mean that if you find it hard to fall asleep after an intense evening workout, perhaps you should either push your workout earlier, or look at moving your workout to the morning. This also goes for eating! With the idea of eating every 1 1/2 to 2 hours of going to sleep when it’s in your control. Keep in mind that everyone is different and that everyone functions differently. It is a process of trial and error before you find the perfect solution.
As you start to figure out what sleeping patterns work best for you and your schedule, take the time to write down how many hours a week you are sleeping. Be sure that you are getting enough sleep to properly function, stay healthy, so that YOU too can reach your fitness goals.