What is sleep?
Sleep is a part of our natural body cycle that means we go into a state of inhibition across key bodily functions such as muscle activity, brain activity and consciousness. We are all regulated by our internal circadian clocks which mean we should sleep at night and be wakeful during the day. Whilst we sleep, we dream, although we do not remember the majority of our dreams.
Sleep is essential but many people suffer from sleep disorders or simply do not sleep enough. This can lead to health problems of varying degrees, including tiredness, “foggy” thinking, reduced melatonin levels, mental illnesses, and increased stress. Lack of sleep has also been associated with conditions related to the heart and can increase the risk of stroke.
Sleep & Strength
Physical strength is important to everyone, and for those who invest a lot of time and energy into working out, it is even more important that they retain and grow their physical prowess. As sleep is the time when our bodies are boosted and muscles repair themselves, there is a definite link between how well you sleep and how well you work out.
People who struggle to sleep well may find they then struggle to complete everyday tasks as well as they have done in the past, as their physical strength has been impacted through poor muscle repair, lower immune system boosting and the lack of ability to concentrate properly.
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How to get a better night’s sleep
There are many factors that inhibit sleep, including stress, artificial lights, sleep disorders and not making time to relax before going to bed. A lot of these can be resolved by making lifestyle changes, but scientific studies have shown that those who have higher levels of Vitamin C have better sleep patterns than those who do not.
Vitamin C brings many benefits to the body such as healthy skin and bones, restoring nervous system function and improving the body’s physiological state. Improved sleep is a result of this, as a person with good nervous system and physiological functioning will suffer less from conditions that impair sleep, such as restless legs or obstructive sleep apnoea.
As well as making lifestyle changes and keeping the body’s vitamin and nutrient levels at optimum quantities, working out and exercising also help to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. It’s a cycle that helps to keep the body in order; workout to sleep, and sleep to workout.
