Get your sleep on

It may seem very simple but most people don't get that 8 hours of sleep to help that allows their body to recover and prepare for a new day. Whether it is school, work or exercising, sleep should be a priority, studying for the test till 4 am when it’s at 9 am, getting only five hours of sleep will lower your chances of success.  

For those doing intense training sessions and want maximal recovery time over night, going to sleep at 10 pm and rising at 6 am is the time frame in which you should be sleeping. Remember that when you are asleep your body releases anabolic hormones such as HGH (Human Growth Hormone), which are essential in the process of gaining muscle. This also allows you to start your day early so you can get an extra meal or two in over the course of the day.

In a study done by the National Sleep Foundation (http://www.sleepfoundation.org/)  showed that at least 40 million Americans suffered from over 70 different sleep disorders. It also found that 60 percent of adults reported problems involving sleeping a few nights a week. Lack of sleep can affect various areas:

·         Brain and nervous system

·         Cardiovascular system

·         Metabolic functions

·         Immune system

And cause:

·         Pathological sleepiness, insomnia and accidents

·         Hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risks (MI, stroke)

·         Emotional disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)

·         Obesity; metabolic syndrome and diabetes

·         Alcohol and drug abuse

So for those of you out there trying the maximize your health, fitness results and daily awareness, try getting to sleep earlier as the sun sets and wake up as the sun rises.

 

Research and further information about sleep can be found here:

http://www.apa.org/topics/sleep/why.aspx