Sleep and sports: why is rest essential?

Sleep and Sports, the benefits of good rest on physical activity

That good sleep is good for us is hardly news, yet the role of rest in our lives is often underestimated. Despite the fact that the rhythms of modern society often force us to sacrifice sleep, we should never forget that sleep is an essential vital function.

This is true for everyone and all the more so for those engaged in high-intensity activities, such as students and professionals, or an athlete or those who simply keep fit with a jog. Sleep and sports are two closely related concepts: in fact, good rest is a key element for those who enjoy physical activity because it allows them to elevate performance and optimize mental and physical effort.

How? Let's find out now!

The link between physical activity and sleep

Physical activity contributes to our well-being and is therefore highly recommended for everyone. Doing physical activity trains and tones the muscles, clears the mind and, overall, is a real boon to our mental and physical balance. All right, but how does it relate to sleep?

Sleep and sports are inextricably linked. Doing physical activity helps rest, similarly sleeping well positively impacts sports performance.

Let's start with the benefits of physical activity on sleep. Sports have positive effects on sleep duration and quality: those who play sports fall asleep more easily.

Indeed, numerous studies have shown that physical activity releases endorphins, chemicals produced by the brain that promote a state of relaxation and pleasure and facilitate restorative sleep. It follows that consistent physical activity, practiced regularly, elevates the quality of rest and contributes to overall well-being.

On the other hand, restorative sleep promotes energy and psychophysical recovery, ensuring the athlete's excellent performance on the field. Let's see how.

The importance of sleep for performance

During sleep, the body recovers precious energy, resources that are essential to fuel the entire body when we are awake. This is why the more hours we spend standing, the more tired we become: the body gradually depletes energy and gradually "works" worse.

The idea that sleep is essential time for energy recovery is well known to professional athletes. Armed with scientific evidence, professional athletes have long since begun to conceive of sleep as an irreplaceable and functional phase of athletic performance.

Poor sleepers recover little energy, do not assimilate effort and produce low-level performance.

How proper rest helps physical recovery

During rest, the idle state of the muscles causes a general relaxation that results in less energy expended, and consequent gain in energy and health.

In addition, in the deep sleep phase, the body carries on protein synthesis processes aimed at the reconstruction of muscle tissue stressed during physical activity. This reconstruction constitutes the principle of muscle growth.

For these reasons, mental and physical recovery has become part of athletes' training programs, a phase that is taken care of and optimized as much as nutrition and physical practice.

The cycle of well-being

Energy recovery is fundamental and vital for those who engage in sports activities. But what makes sleep so crucial is the total 360-degree impact on our wellness cycle: the more active we are, the more we need it.

We have said it, people who sleep poorly recover little energy, so they have less physical and mental energy to spend.

• Think of an enthusiast who carves out free time for physical activity. If he or she sleeps poorly, feels tired, perhaps decides to give up or trains poorly, losing not only in sleep but in overall health.
• And what about a factory worker? Restful sleep is essential for him to regain the energy he needs to perform his high-stress physical work.
• Instead, imagine a professional who is constantly on the move facing a day full of meetings. If he or she has slept badly, will he or she be lively, bright and effective? Certainly not.
• Will an employee, perhaps engaged in a control/precision task that requires constant attention throughout the day, be efficient and focused after a sleepless night?
• What about a student? His study sessions will surely gain if he tackles them after a good rest.
  
  

A restful night's sleep is vital for sportsmen and women and lovers of physical activity, as well as for anyone engaged in intense physical and mental activities. That's why the right mattress can make all the difference.

X-BIO: the mattress for mental and physical recovery

X-BIO is the only mattress line in the world that enables fast and effective energy recovery thanks to its patented system.

X-BIO's patented effectiveness ensures restful sleep that fuels the cycle of well-being. It doesn't matter if you are a professional, a student, a sports enthusiast or engaged in any other intense activity...you need energy and X-BIO is the right mattress.

It is no coincidence that X-BIO was chosen by the Lazio champions for their rest at the Formello sports center. X-BIO is thus the solution tested and approved by those who by trade face high physical and mental stress on a daily basis. Maybe you are not a Serie A champion...but we know that your life is demanding and that is why we have designed a mattress that can meet the highest standards.

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