Why Sleeping Should Also Part of Your Workout Routine

Guest Post By Sarah Jones, editor of Sleepy Deep. 

Love it or hate it, working out is a great way to stay in shape and stave off things like heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. We feel better, look healthier, and live longer. But if you aren’t sleeping properly (or enough), you might just be undoing all the good and potentially even causing harm! Here's a couple reasons why sleep can be just as important as diet and exercise:

Recovery 

When we're sleeping, our body uses that time to rest and repair. Not only do our minds rest and clear out all the stress from the day, our muscles also need to relax too. As metabolism slows down, growth hormones are released, which heal and grow our muscles. 

Injury

If we can’t get regular exercise and are having mobility problems, it can really take it’s toll on us. Rest, relaxation and sleep are so important at times like this. When we sleep, our muscles relax and allow blood to also reach the areas that need it most. So for example, if you have an injury or strain, a full night of deep, restful sleep could work wonders.

Mental Health

Tired, cranky, can’t focus? An easy fix could be as simple as getting the proper amount of sleep. You might be surprised at how much a good night's rest can help us focus at work, be more productive, think more clearly, and feel better about ourselves and our lives. Sometimes we are so used to being tired that we hardly notice it as a problem, but it really is. 

Positive Feedback

Sleep improves our physical health, and physical health improves our sleep. What? In other words, getting proper rest allows us to be active during the day, and being active during the day helps us sleep better. If you feel like you don’t have any energy to work out, go for a run, or take walk, give yourself a head start the night before by going to bed early.

What To Wear

A great way to amplify some of the benefits of sleep is to wear compression shirts, pants, or socks. These can help improve circulation and reduce swelling, which can be especially helpful for post-workout muscle recovery. And because they're breathable, tight-fitting, and wick away sweat, you might find them to be more comfortable than your regular pajamas!