I tell people all the time that they can’t heal or get stronger without getting healthy sleep. But did you know a lack of sleep also puts you at an increased risk of injury?
A 2014 study showed that grade-school athletes that got less than 8 hours of sleep were 1.7x more likely to have an injury! Another study examined workers with excessive daytime sleepiness (from lack of sleep, sleep disorders, etc.) and found they were more than twice as likely to sustain an injury at work.
Getting the right amount of quality sleep is essential to maintain your health. If you’re not getting the right amount of sleep or frequently waking up, it’s time to make a change! Here’s a few tips to help you sleep a little easier:
- Keep your room a little cooler at night. Everybody will be a little different on an ideal temperature, but shoot for around 65-67 degrees Fahrenheit and cozy up with a blanket if it’s a little too brisk.
- Block out as much light as possible. Our bodies are sensitive to even some of the dimmest light sources in our rooms. Block out outside lights with curtains and try to cover up lights from electronics which reminds me…
- Banish electronics from your room. I’ve had several conversations with people complaining that they can’t fall asleep so they stay up on their phones or watch TV. The blue light from these sources is terrible for your sleep health. So if you can’t keep the electronics off – keep them out of your room.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule. It’s been proven that people that go to sleep and wake up the same time each day (including weekends) display healthier sleep habits.
- Exercise. This one should be a gimme but it’s amazing how many people try everything besides this for better sleep. Adding in mild to moderate intensity exercise to your schedule helps balance out several parts of your health, including your sleep cycle.
