Did you know… getting enough sleep is equally as important as exercising and eating a well-balanced diet?

When it comes to reaching your fitness goals, the activities you undertake in the gym are important, but having an adequate sleep routine also plays a key contributing role to your physical health.   

As Friday 18 March 2022 marks World Sleep Day, we thought it would be apt to share our advice for improving your sleep.  

Sleep works for your benefit

Sleep and exercise work hand in hand to ensure that your body is working hard, then resting and recovering in the way it is supposed to. It gives time for your muscle tissue to recover between workouts.

Working out – whether that be playing a sport, going to the gym or attending a fitness class – should help you sleep well, as exercise boosts the effect of natural sleep hormones.

Getting a good night’s sleep does wonders for your body and mind, having the potential to improve your memory, creativity and concentration levels, as well as the physical benefits of helping to increase your exercise performance and maintain a healthy weight.

Unfortunately, sleep doesn’t come easy to everyone. Our lives and weekly schedules can be jam-packed, so it can be difficult to unwind. Some simple things may help:

• Meditation – this calms the body in preparation for sleep by slowing down your heart rate and breathing and can help to alleviate stress.
• Stretching – this allows you to relieve muscle tension and can also improve blood flow which will make for a more comfortable, better quality of sleep.
• No screens – the light from smart screens or any artificial light is a known factor for interfering with sleep, so try to put your phone in a separate room before bed.
• Exercise – as mentioned previously, exercise boosts the production of sleep hormones and will naturally tire out your body.

Sport Aberdeen’s Fearghas can help

When you are about to go to sleep, your body should be relaxed and your breathing steady and calm. This should have you on your way to a restful night’s sleep.  

If you find it difficult to wind down, we suggest you watch Fearghas’ video below. He outlines some helpful stretches that target all areas of your body so that you are relaxed and ready to dream.

View video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn5gePemORo