6 Tips For a Better Nights Sleep

We all know how important sleep is, especially for those of us who are very active. Sometimes, however, it’s not as simple as just getting your 8 hours – it’s the quality that matters. Here are some tips to help you to optimise your sleep and maximise your recovery…

1) Set yourself a bed time – doing so will help to regulate your body clock, as will waking yourself up at the same time every morning.

2) Avoid Exposure to electrical devices after a certain time – the red light emitted from your phone or laptop will have your brain working overtime and will make it more difficult to switch off when it’s time to sleep.

3) Allow time to wind down – in the hour or two before bed, find something that will lower your stress levels and help you to relax. Swap television and work related tasks for a book.

4) Reduce your caffeine intake – you don’t have to cut out your morning coffee, but avoiding stimulants after 3pm (as a guide) will allow adequate time for you’re the effects to subside before bedtime.

5) Supplement with ZMA – this mineral has been clinically proven to aid and improve sleep quality whilst also enhancing muscle recovery. It’s a year round staple for me.

6) Exercise – as well as being proven to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, a tough gym session will leave your worn out and ready to hit the sack: all of which will result in a longer, better quality sleep.