Strategies to Improve quality and/or quantity of sleepInadequate sleep and/or poor- quality sleep affects the non-athletic and athletic population. Consequently, adequate sleep is a critical component for post exercise recovery thus effecting performance. Therefore, below we have listed strategies you can implement to enhance your sleep quality to optimise your health, work/sport performance and recovery.
Nutrition do’s and don’ts
Do’s
Consume tryptophan containing foods such as milk, meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans, peanuts, cheese and leafy green vegetables in the evening meal to increase melatonin production.
Try including carbohydrate foods at dinner to assist with Serotonin production, e.g. potatoes, rice, pasta... this may not be ideal if overweight or working on losing fat.Try consuming 30ml tart cherry juice in the evening to increase exogenous melatonin intake (also decreases DOMS -Delayed Onset Muscle soreness). Use in a periodised way, e.g. around high volume training or to get sleep sorted initially if in a rut or during competition.
Consume a balanced, healthy diet, including adequate wholegrains, low fat dairy foods, fruits and vegetables for magnesium and B vitamins.
Try 300-400mg Magnesium supplement prior to bed.
Don’ts
Alcohol intake prior to bedtime (fragments sleep later in the night)
Caffeine and nicotine stimulants intake prior to bedtime (individual tolerances do exist). This includes coffee, tea, energy drinks, cola, chocolate.
To be cautious of
Be conscious of food portions before bed (eating large portions of food can raise core body temperature and make it difficult to fall asleep) and fluid intake prior to bed (to minimise need to go to the bathroom).
Consume fluids with evening meal to increase absorption, then taper off;
i.e. individual fluid prescriptions may be necessary following late- night training/competition to ensure rehydration.
Aim for no more than one visit to the bathroom during the night to minimise sleep fragmentation.
Combating Stress
Use a journal to write down worries/thoughts before bed
Write a ‘to do’ list for the next day to help clear the mindBody Temperature
Lowering core body temperature in the evening to induce drowsiness and sleep:
Skin-warming (for cool environmental conditions) — achieved through warm baths/shower/spa, hot foot baths, warm blankets or dressing gowns, wearing warm socks and woollen boots/slippers
Skin cooling (for warm environmental conditions) —achieved through cool showers, cold water immersion, appropriate use of air conditioning, light bed covers
Keep a Routine
It is critical to maintain a pre- bed routine to prime the body for sleep. This is crucial for proper sleep hygiene.
Allow 1 hour ‘the de-power hour’ to unwind before bed
Maintain a regular bed and waking time each day (entrains our internal body rhythm -circadian rhythm)
Avoid computer screens, texting, bright lights for 1-2 hours before bed (stimulates the eye). Some people may find a dimmer TV screen from a distance helps them relax.
Creating a sleep friendly environment
Keep the TV out of the bedroom.
Keep the bedroom for sleep activities only, and ensure it is quiet, dark and comfortable.
If you cannot sleep within 15 minutes of going to bed, get up again and try a different strategy. Eliminate the bedroom clock (avoids stress of ‘losing valuable sleep time/clock watching’).
Napping
Napping can be a valuable way of increasing total sleep hours. Experimenting with a 90 minute nap mid-afternoon (one full sleep cycle). Recommended for individuals during heavy training prior to competition or who are having short nights.
If insomnia is a problem, do not nap in the day. Otherwise time naps for 8 hours after rising time (2-3pm) and keep these no longer than 30 minutes.
Naps times between 30-90 minutes or longer than 90 minutes may result in temporary sleep inertia and performance impairments.
Napping 10-12 hours after morning waking time will likely disturb nocturnal sleep. Set an alarm to wake at the right time post nap.
