Sleep for Recovery
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We start with sleep. Many people believe we are already sleeping before we truly begin to live. Defining the boundary between life and pre-life sleep is a matter of science, yet it remains deeply subjective.
What Is Sleep?
According to Wikipedia: “Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles during rapid eye movement sleep, and reduced interactions with surroundings.”
One of sleep’s most important jobs is helping the brain process memories and shape emotional responses. Experiences are stored so they can be accessed the next time a similar situation arises. Throughout our waking hours, the brain continuously organizes the information it has collected. This work requires support—hydration, oxygen, vitamins, and nutrients all need to stay in balance. Sleep also pauses the constant stream of new input so the system can sort, store, and consolidate what it has already taken in.
Our body systems and brain begin developing very early. When we leave the womb and start breathing on our own, the body already needs automatic “know-how” to keep vital processes running the same way every time. Learning to take in food has its own learning curve that continues for years. Infants sleep a great deal so their bodies and brains can develop.
Sleep and Performance
Much of our performance depends on the brain directing and controlling the body. The information we need for high performance works best when we do not have to think consciously about every action—when we can simply act. This is the “Flow State.” Strong neural pathways make Flow possible, and those pathways are strengthened and refined during sleep. Practice and technique create the pathways; repetition sets them in place; growth happens later, largely while we sleep. Good sleep supports better brain function and makes top performance more accessible.
How to Sleep Better
A great deal of research has examined sleep, breathing, and chemical balance. The basics most of us learn to manage first include:
- Temperature (adjusting the body or covers)
- Light exposure and the time of day we prepare for sleep
- What we eat and drink, and how long we wait before lying down
Staying asleep brings its own challenges. Breathing and fluid control matter a great deal. Breathing practice can prepare the body for sleep; body position affects how easily we breathe; and simple techniques can help us return to sleep quickly if we wake. Fluid control is usually learned young; managing caffeine and alcohol comes later. Endurance activities often create natural opportunities for strategic naps—use them when appropriate. No one wants to fall asleep at the wheel or nap through an important meeting without an alarm.
The length and quality of sleep cycles also matter. Time spent moving in and out of REM and non-REM sleep allows the brain and body to complete their restorative work. Allow enough uninterrupted time for full cycles.
Recovering drug and gambling addict and author Mike Lindell has spent years developing products designed to help people sleep more comfortably. I use MyPillow and find it genuinely helps me rest.
Sleep for Recovery. Get some good rest—you have a big day tomorrow.
Enjoy some Relaxing Nature Videos Sand 8 3 1