Sleep - The Secret To Success

In 2013, it was said that Andy Murray had been sleeping for up to 12 hours a day when he won the men’s singles at Wimbledon. This made him the first British player to win a Wimbledon singles title since Virginia Wade, in 1977. Certainly one of his biggest achievements to date. Surely this makes sleep one of the keys to success, right?

What are the top tips for getting a good nights rest?

• Associate your bed with sleep, and that’s sleep only. Don’t work in bed, or watch TV, as it can become harder to wind down.

• Your final meal should be about 3 hours before bedtime. Eating right before bedtime can result in your digestive system working hard through the night.

• Keep the room cool. Being at a comfortable temperature aids getting to sleep.

• Laugh a lot during waking hours. This will help push out stress, resulting in it being easier to drop off.

• Avoid caffeine. This is a stimulant and it will keep the body alert and have extra energy.

• Keep your room dark. Use heavy curtains at the windows, or wear an eye mask.

• Stop smoking. Not only for your health, but quitting can make getting to sleep easier.

• Keep yourself active during the day – not only does this aid your health, but it also makes drifting off to sleep easier.

• The comfort of your bed’s mattress is also another important factor. There are many different mattresses available, so choosing the right mattress is important.

Andy Murray himself said: “Rest is so important” and “You need rest to make sure you recover properly”. Take it from a pro, sleep is exceptionally important, and hopefully by using the above tips, you can make tonight’s sleep your best one.