Impacts of Inadequate Sleep

At Dynamic Fitness, we’re not about just working out and getting fit. Our health experts want to bridge the gap between the lack of knowledge and/or misguidance about how to get in shape and to show our clients what actually works. Lead personal trainer, Maurice Harden explains just how inadequate sleep can impact your lifestyle.

I’m sure you’ve been told about the importance of exercise. Around here, we say it’s our best medicine. And it Is, but improving nutrition and practicing other lifestyle habits are also key to seeing results when you train or rehabilitate muscles – one of which is getting enough sleep (and GOOD sleep)!

Inadequate sleep can negatively affect your overall health and fitness goals. But, luckily it can be improved.

What Insufficient Sleep is Doing to Your Body

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the recommended amount of sleep for adults is between seven to nine hours per night. Many people don’t get anywhere close to this amount each night.

When your body falls short of this much-needed rest, this is what can happen:

• Increased medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.

• Higher levels of belly fat *A lack of sleep can elevate the sympathetic nervous system and release free fatty acids used for energy. When this happens during low physical activity (i.e. sleep), the free fatty acids deposit in the abdominal region (i.e. the gut).

• Overproduction of hunger-producing hormones that can result in over-eating.

• Inability to properly recover from challenging strength training and exercise *The growth hormone responsible for repairing muscle tissue is produced during stage 3 of NREM sleep (when brain activity slows down to relax).

Recommended Reading

Why are my muscles so tight?!

How much water should I be drinking?

Understanding Muscle Imbalances

Getting more sleep clearly improves your overall health. If your brain isn’t functioning properly, your muscles can’t either. Plus, you run the risks of overeating throughout your day creating a vicious cycle of another night of poor sleep.

Interested in a lifestyle overhaul, one that includes Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation can help! Muscle activation techniques combined with our other services will allow you to move forward so you can live your life to the fullest.

How to Improve Sleep Quality

All it takes are some sleepless nights to realize the importance of optimal sleep quantity and quality. Not only does it give you the energy you need to get through your busy day, but it is also essential for your long-term health and wellbeing.

Try these steps to improve your sleep habits:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule and go to bed around the same time every night.

• Sleep in a dark room, quiet room. That means no TV and electronics, so put the phone down!

• Never (ever!) eat right before you go to bed. Not only will this lead to significant weight gain, but digestion could also interrupt the process of falling asleep. Aim to cut off meals and snacks about 3 hours before going to sleep.

• We already know this is easier said than done, but try to reduce your stress levels. Exercise and physical activity can play a vital role in reducing stress and anxiety.

At Dynamic Fitness, we offer a variety of health and wellness programs – all of which include a combination of exercise, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle habits (like getting enough sleep!). Sleep better, workout better, live better; start with your assessment today.

Improve Your Sleep, Transform Your Body

One of my main objectives in health and fitness is to help people live their best life in and out of the gym. Good sleep, and I mean 7 to 9 hours of it each night, is vital to how your body & mind performs throughout the day. Try these tips to help you improve your sleep quality and I promise you’ll feel a difference:

• Set a sleep schedule.

• Sleep in a dark room, quiet room.

•Skip eating right before bedtime.

• Reduce your stress levels, you may even want to stretch right before you head to bed.

Whether you are new to exercise, getting back to it after an accident, have been working out but seeing little to no results, are an athlete looking to reach the next level (or somewhere in between!), Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation in Tampa can help you break through the barriers which will allow you to live your personal best.

Get started today and see what our M.A.T-focused personal training program can do for you!