Day 42: Why Sleep is Good for You

Why is sleeping, and taking a day off of working out so important?

 

Ever heard the term R&R? That stands for REST and RECUPERATION. When you rest from activity, and especially when you sleep, your body uses this time for just that. The systems of the body can rest (like your lungs, heart, etc.), and the worker & repair cells in your body can go to work, fixing any damage that has been done during activity (from traumatic injury to every day wear & tear). 

So: Why Sleep?

*Sleep is good for your noodle! It helps your learn and commit what you learn to memory. It also helps your brain regulate hormones, including those that affect weight and metabolism.

*Sleep helps keep you alert and focused.

*Sleep "recharges your batteries", and helps boost your parasympathetic nervous system which helps keep all your organs and systems of the body running properly. Some body-systems work best when sleeping.

*Sleep helps your body fight disease, and heal & repair itself.

 

So, get adequate amounts of sleep daily (7+ hours per night), and when your doctor tells you to rest while you are sick, or even just when you are just feeling a little under the weather - do it! Getting extra sleep is the best kind of "rest".

Taking one day per week off from vigorous exercise is as important as mixing up your workout routine. You need to give your muscles a rest from vigorous and strenuous exercise*, in order to allow the muscles time to heal and rebuild themselves.

 

*If you aren't doing what you would consider "vigorous" or "strenuous" (70-90% of your hear rate) then you may not need to take a break. This all depends on what your exercise goals are, and how hard you are working.

EXERCISE

It's SUNDAY! A day for rest, perfect for watching football!

 

This weekend, I went on the prowl for
some Seahawks gear! I found a short-sleeve grey top and a long-sleeve navy shirt; both showing off my favorite NFL team; the Seattle Seahawks! I figure even though I didn't workout today, I still got some good exercise jumping up & down cheering for my team and celebrating the win! Tennessee 13; Seahawks 20!! Woo hoo! 5-1 baby!

 

FOOD

Breakfast: 3 breakfast cookies and an apple

Snack: an Asian pear

Lunch: a large green salad, a few pickles and a piece of pizza

Dinner: Sushi 

Snack: Popcorn and half an apple with cinnamon

 

Thanks for reading all!

 

And keep the comments coming! Please let me know what you like or dislike, if there is something that you would like to see, or something I don't do or know that you think I should.