Sleep.
Something so simple that will help build muscle, burn fat, improve your mood, productivity, mental clarity, physical and mental performance and combat disease.
Something so simple, yet not many people have good or even decent sleeping habits.
This is usually do to stress, social activity, poor habits, work and lack of physical exercise.
Now, I don’t claim to be a sleep “expert” but I do know a thing or two about enhancing your quality of sleep so you can maximize your life.
If you are someone that has poor sleep habits, I want you to try the tips listed in this post. I would bet money that these things will improve your sleep quality and lead to a healthier, stronger, and more productive you!
So my friends, check out these tips and change your lives for the better!
Unplug at least one hour before bed
We live in a world where we are constantly at the mercy of our phones. When we stare at our phones right up until bedtime a few things happen. One, your mind stays active when you’re trying to get in a relaxed state. Emotions like joy, sadness, aggravation and even jealousy can occur when looking at social media. Do yourself a favor and don’t subject yourself to that. Trust me, you can find out in the morning how many likes your photo got.
Your mind needs to relax in order for you to get the best sleep possible. It can’t do that if you’re checking emails, answering calls, texting or worrying about what you have to do tomorrow.
Shut your phone off or keep it on silent. You don’t need to be woken up by your drunk friend at 3-am so he can tell you about his “successful” tinder date.
Kill the phone an hour before bed.
Sleep in a pitch dark room
Keeping the t.v. on at night will ruin your quality of sleep. When you sleep in a pitch dark room you help produce the hormone melatonin. Melatonin a very powerful hormone that combats cancer and other diseases. Any source of light, like a t.v, can inhibit your melatonin production.
Why would you want to limit the production of a hormone that combats cancer?
That same hormone is then limited when you are woken up throughout the night. Thus the importance of killing the cell phone so you don’t get woken up by text or a phone call.
The bedroom should be used for sleep and smashing cheeks.
Keep the t.v. in the living room!
Meditate
Most of society is totally overstressed. I don’t want to turn this into a post on the importance of reducing stress. But I do want you to know a great way to do it.
And that’s meditation.
Now, most people think of meditation as weird. They picture sitting on a floor with legs crossed making strange noises. It doesn’t have to be like that.
Meditating can be as simple as sitting on your couch with your eyes closed for just 10-15 minutes. Doing nothing but focusing on your breathing and relaxing your mind. It doesn’t have to be weird. Think of it as another way to relax.
Meditation is great at any point of the day, but try 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes at night to start. Try it with dimmed lights and within 30 minutes of going to sleep.
This will help you reduce the stress from the day, and give you some YOU-time that we all so desperately need. Especially these days.
Exercise
If you’re reading this blog, I shouldn’t even have to mention this one.
But I will anyway.
Exercise improves your quality of life all around, including your sleep habits.
If you exercise vigorously you will exert more energy throughout the day, which will make you more tired come bed time.
Do some type of activity every day, aside from your weight training.
Get to bed “on time”
Studies have shown that human beings have the highest secretion in hormones between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. This is due to the fact that as humans we are designed to sleep when it’s dark and wake when it’s light.
It’s easy to get caught up in the “Netflix and chill” mode but do your body a favor and get to bed instead.
This is the prime time for the body to rejuvenate and produce more of the hormones that will combat disease and keep you healthy!
I hope that you guys start to apply this to your lives immediately. I guarantee that you will quickly see the benefits on the playing field, work, relationships, mood, energy levels and life in general!
I am definitely a believer in work hard, play hard so have your fun! But don’t neglect your sleep when it counts the most.
So get to bed MoFo’s and let’s start the movement of getting better every day!
Catch you guys next time.