Have you set a new fitness goal for the summer? You might be surprised to learn that it’s not the actual exercise that’ll make you stronger; it’s the recovery period afterwards that benefits your body. And for most people, there’s no better recovery than plenty of sleep! Learn why a good night’s rest is the best follow-up for your exercise routine – and how sleep apnea in Lutz can get in the way.
Why You Need Sleep After a Workout
Exercise puts strain on your muscles, breaking them down a little. During recovery, your muscles are rebuilt, allowing them to withstand more and more stress as time goes on, gradually making you stronger. In other words, your body adapts after a workout, and that adaptation is what makes you more fit as you continue the regimen.
The best time for your body to recover is while your asleep. Your muscles will have a chance to heal, and energy levels will be replenished. Also, getting plenty of sleep reduces your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and depression, all of which can inhibit your performance while exercising. If you have any doubt remaining on the importance of sleep to athletic performance, you should know that Lebron James averages about 12 hours of sleep per day and Serena Williams averages 10; that should give you an idea of how important it is for your body to get plenty of rest after your workout!
How Sleep Apnea Could Interrupt Recovery
If you have sleep apnea – a condition where you repeatedly stop breathing and awaken throughout the night – your body will have a much harder time recovering from strenuous physical activity. Even if you do spend a total of 7 to 8 hours asleep every night, it won’t do you any good if you kept waking up; the restorative stages of sleep come late in the cycle, meaning you may never reach them if you’re suffering from sleep apnea. As a result, continuing to push your muscles might end up only damaging them further instead of making them stronger.
What to Do If You Have Sleep Apnea
If you notice potential signs of a sleep disorder – feeling excessively drowsy during the day, headaches upon awakening, sore throat, a partner telling you that you snore – you should seek out sleep apnea treatment in Lutz right away. You can get an oral appliance and/or a CPAP machine that will help you breathe normally while asleep.
There might be other factors making it harder for you to catch some z’s. Make sure your room is an ideal sleeping environment; that means keeping the temperature around 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and getting rid of artificial light sources. You should also avoid electronics for about an hour before bed. Do everything you can to get the rest you need to ensure that your workout was a fruitful one.
About the Author
Dr. Jay A. Nelson became a general dentist in 1981; he eventually decided he wanted to help his patients enjoy nights full of restful sleep, so he decided to train in dental sleep medicine. He’s certified to use Somnodent and many other kinds of oral appliances to treat snoring and sleep apnea. To schedule an appointment at his practice, Nelson Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine, visit his website or call (813) 949-0424.