12 Days of Fitness: Day Three – The Importance of Rest
We’re back with the 12 Days of Fitness: Day Three. Today’s fitness tip is on the importance of rest. I know I’ve been easy so far talking about getting moving on Day One, and staying hydrated on Day Two. Now it’s time to make sure you are getting enough rest. Recovery is so important during training because your body heals and repairs itself during sleep.
You should aim to get 8 hours of sleep every night. If you don’t get 8 hours, try really hard to change that. Here are some ways how:
- Go to bed earlier. Aim for an hour earlier than you are doing right now. If that is too hard, try going to bed 15 minutes earlier on one night, 30 minutes the next night, and then 45 minutes until you reach an hour. Or sleep in an hour longer. But seriously, who has time for that? You are probably already sleeping in until the last possible minute you can anyway.
- Turn off your TV, phone, and other electronics or distractions at least 30 minutes before bedtime. All of these devices are great and keep us more connected than ever before. But right before you go to bed you need to unplug and wind down from the day.
- Make sure your room is dark. Light can be distracting. Turn off your lights. If your spouse or significant other wants to stay up, then ask him or her to use a reading light or even better – go to sleep earlier like you!
- Meditate – This is a complex topic but in its simplest form just spend 10 minutes thinking about nothing. Nothing at all. Just be. It’s harder than it sounds. It will help you relax.
12 Days of Fitness: Day Three Featured Product: Holiday Snuggie
Since it’s the holidays and you need to remember to rest, I have decided to feature a SNUGGIE. It’s a holiday themed velventeen Snuggie. So maybe the snuggie fad has already past but cuddle up with this blanket and whisk yourself away to dreamland. Believe it or not, sleep and rest are super important parts of fitness!
What do you think? Post in the comments and let me know.