Sleep is not for the weak! It’s for the healthy and high-performing!
Whether it be from study demands, work shifts, a busy social life or just excessive amounts of Netflix, inadequate sleep can have implications on so many aspects of our day-to-day lives. Health, mood, exercise performance, energy levels, recovery, immunity, cognition, you name it, can all be positively or negatively influenced by sleep!
More research is emerging to support the effects of sleep deprivation on our health. For example, even short-term sleep loss has been shown to decrease glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Not to mention that sleep deprivation can impact leptin and ghrelin, two of our major appetite regulating hormones. Additionally, sleep restriction during an energy deficit is likely to result in more bodyweight being lost from skeletal muscle mass rather than body fat (compared to adequate sleep). Based on these results it goes without saying that sleep should be a priority alongside your other health and fitness goals.
Your health, physical activity and cognitive demands can influence your sleep requirements. However, most recommendations fall between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. If you struggle with the consistency and quality of your sleep, swipe through this carousel for some tips and strategies to improve!