Most of us have heard that doing sports can help to improve our sleep quality but did you know that sleep also helps you to get fit? Getting more and better quality sleep really can help you improve your athletic performance, regardless of your level and preferred sport.
On top of that increasing our sleep duration and quality can help us to avoid gaining weight. Find out how!
Sleep like a champion
Research shows that sleeping better can help you improve your speed, accuracy and reaction time when doing sports. When we go into the first stage of deep sleep a growth hormone is released which helps the body to regenerate and repair. The hormone stimulates protein synthesis, promotes cell division and helps to break down fat which provides energy for tissue repair.
The more we exercise the more we need to sleep. If you start training for a marathon or increase your exercise frequency the increased intensity can weaken your immune system and put you at a greater risk of falling ill.
Studies has shown that athletes who on average sleep less than 8 hours a night are almost twice as likely to get a sports injury as those who sleep more than 8 hours.
Just as you need more calories when you do more sports you also need more sleep to fully recover. If you are training intensively you should sleep up to an hour extra per night. Athletes at the top of their game sleep even more.
Insider tips: Dr. med Lutz Grauman, Phd & specialist in sports medicine, nutrition and chirotherapy and member of the Dagsmejan medical advisory board, talks about why sleep is so important in the world of professional sports and what we all can learn from that. WATCH NOW
Sleep to keep the weight off
If you want to loose weight it’s not only about diet and exercise, getting the right amount of high quality sleep is as important. Poor sleep has repeatedly been linked to a higher body mass index (BMI) and weight gain. Still studies show that 30% of US adults get less than 6 hours of sleep most nights.
One study allowed 16 adults just five hours of sleep per night for five nights. They gained an average of 1.8 pounds (almost 1 kg) over the short course of this study.
Another study showed that people who slept only four hours a night for two nights had a 28 percent increase in ghrelin, a hormone that triggers hunger, and simultaneously an 18 percent decrease in leptin, a hormone that tells the brain it has eaten enough.
The result is a close link between obesity and sleep disturbances. A major review found that short sleep duration increased the likelihood of obesity by 89% in children and 55% in adults.
So sleeping well can be more efficient than hitting the gym!
Insider tips: Dr. med Lutz Grauman, explores which type of food that will make sleeping hard work and what to eat to fall asleep. WATCH NOW
Find your ideal match in bed
A good night’s sleep is a great step towards feeling fit and light and Dagsmejan sleepwear is a great step towards high quality sleep. By helping us to keep the best temperature for sleep and offering optimal sleep comfort Dagsmejan is scientifically proven to boost our sleep. Find your ideal bed companion to match your physiological sleep needs.
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