Early to Bed, Early to Rise: The Benefits of Sleep on Training, Health

A few quick lines about sleep, tell me if you’ve heard these before.

You can sleep when you’re dead.
Burning the midnight oil.
No rest for the wicked.
Sleep is for the weak.

These sayings and phrases have been used over the years to villainize sleep. Like sleeping is a waste of time and we can better use our time doing something else. The idea that if our competition is sleeping, we’re working is also an idea that is thrown around a lot. And while there may be some specific scenarios where this is the case, over the course of our lives, this is not the best approach.

Let’s start with the cognitive benefits that we get from a good night’s sleep. Sleep plays a crucial role in brain health and may help prevent Alzheimer's disease by supporting several key processes. During deep sleep, the brain's glymphatic system becomes more active, clearing out amyloid beta, a protein that can form plaques linked to Alzheimer's. Good sleep also helps regulate tau protein levels, reducing the risk of neurodegeneration. Additionally, restorative sleep supports overall cognitive function, including memory and learning, and helps manage inflammation, which is associated with the progression of Alzheimer's. Consistently high-quality sleep is vital for maintaining brain health and resilience, making it an important factor in reducing the risk of cognitive decline.

Next we can look at sleep for our mental and emotional health and wellness. Sleep is essential for mental and emotional well-being because it supports key brain functions like memory consolidation and problem-solving, allowing us to think clearly and retain information. It also helps regulate our emotions, reducing stress and irritability, which makes us better equipped to handle challenges. Over time, good sleep habits can protect against mental health issues like anxiety and depression, promoting a stable, positive mood and overall resilience.

Lastly, training and athletic performance. Sleep is crucial for athletic training and development because it helps the body repair and grow muscle tissue, speeding up recovery after workouts. It also boosts performance by improving coordination, reaction time, and endurance. Additionally, getting enough rest enhances focus and balance, reducing the risk of injury during training or competition.

Now what if you’re someone who has trouble sleeping or has a crazy work schedule that makes it difficult to have a standard sleep schedule. Supplementation can help here to give you the slight push into dreamland you need. For example, we have PRVN Sleep+. With natural active ingredients such as melatonin, magnesium, and GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) . These three ingredients each help improve sleep in different ways. Melatonin regulates the body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep, especially for those with disrupted sleep schedules. Magnesium promotes relaxation by calming the nervous system and boosting GABA levels in the brain, which further helps you unwind before bed. GABA itself is a calming neurotransmitter that reduces stress and anxiety, making it easier to fall and stay asleep throughout the night. Together, these supplements can support a more restful, rejuvenating sleep.

So when you’re having a stressful day or a crazy week, we can help. Because remember, we only get fitter from adapting to the training we do every day. And the best way to do that is with rest. And the best form of rest is a good night’s sleep.