Sleep - the best training for the body!
Effective biological regeneration is not only massages, treatments or other special measures, such as stretching exercises. The basis for regeneration and return to the optimal disposition is ... sleep and its broadly understood hygiene. Professional athletes know this very well, but those who practice sport only as an amateur should be aware of the need for a good rest, and even limit their physical effort to a minimum.
So let's check the role of good sleep ... and a well-chosen mattress for the body and regeneration of our physical condition.
Training through… rest
There is a reason why it is said that biological regeneration - a series of processes aimed at, among others, returning the body to its disposal before training, as well as rest and strengthening the muscles - is as important as intensive, wisely planned training. Rest after training and biological regeneration treatments not only improve the mental condition, relax and support unnecessary metabolic products, but most of all restore to the muscles what we most expect from them - flexibility and strength.
When starting your adventure with physical activity and preparing a training plan, it is good to take into account not only the intensity and type of exercise, but also how we will let the body return to its optimal disposition. Contrary to appearances, we do not have to start with hydro- or cryotherapy or invest in medical equipment. The basic solution is the most effective possible and - what is worth emphasizing - free. This is nothing but - just - a good night's sleep.
Sleep, or regeneration
Sleep is an adaptation process aimed at adapting to the loads experienced by the body and mind during the day. It is when we sleep that, for example, the body gains muscle mass, tissue regeneration or fat burning. Saying that sleep is also a form of training is by no means an exaggeration. Sleep is also a bit like warming up. If we do it incorrectly, our body will definitely feel it and will be more exposed to injuries. If we don't do it at all ... Well, so much the worse for us. Lack of sleep, we are more irritable, it is harder for us to concentrate, and it is much easier for mood swings and fatigue. In the long run, constant sleep deprivation can even lead to depression!
Sleep and muscles
As you probably know, the sleep cycle has two basic phases - NREM and REM. The first is called slow eye movement sleep and is divided into three stages, the third of which is part of the deepest sleep. The REM phase is the phase of rapid eye movement. It is much shorter than NREM cycles, but it is characterized by dreams and it is during the REM phase that the muscles relax completely. And here we come back to the starting point - proper regeneration of athletes.
Mattress for an athlete
Muscle relaxation is crucial for the regeneration of our body. Overworked and too tense muscles or strained joints are only a breeding ground for various types of overload, injuries and injuries, and thus - pain and discomfort, which in turn prevent further training.
Therefore, the key to effective sleep is to create the right conditions - just like exercising. In the case of sleep - a well-chosen mattress is essential.
A good mattress for an athlete - features
And what exactly should it have? First of all, elasticity and body support. The latter is especially crucial - legs, arms and back should be supported during sleep (especially the lumbar and cervical spine). A well-positioned body regenerates much faster. If any of these parts are unsupported, you are not really resting, and the muscles are still making an effort to distribute their forces properly, which is conducive to pain and again discomfort. This is hardly surprising, as muscles have tensed all night long.
Let's also remember about a few obvious issues - do not use smartphones, tablets or computers immediately before falling asleep (it has been scientifically proven that the light of their screen has a negative impact on the sleep cycle) and try to ventilate the room for a few minutes so as to create a specific microclimate in it and let in a lot of fresh air to it. Let's also take care of regularity - let's go to bed and always get up at the appointed time! So as you can see, it is really enough to get much more from sleep. You will find out by improving your sleep hygiene and quickly progressing. So today, instead of "see you at training", we want to say "sweet dreams"!