It’s difficult to find motivation to do much of anything, let alone workout, when you’re chronically tired. And that’s how most of us tackle our days, it seems. A 2013 Gallup poll found that 40% of people nationwide notch less than seven hours of sleep per night. Not good considering the ideal amount to feel rested and refreshed is a little over the seven-hour mark.
Some people might say, “Well that’s what Pre Game Formula is for!” And yes, Pre Game Formula will supply an energy boost before a workout. But after we spoke to Texas Rangers strength and conditioning coach Jose Vasquez, it reminded us that using a preworkout sports supplement as a crutch to pull you out of exhaustion won’t enable you to get the most out of every rep of every workout.
Related: P4 Interview: Jose Vazquez
If you haven’t already done so, check out our 5 Tips For A Better Night’s Sleep post. It’ll help you get some quality shuteye; below, you can check out why that additional sack time is so crucial …
#1. Better Mental Clarity & Memory
Not surprising, more sleep translates into you being a more productive person. That’s a benefit at the gym, in the office, and all other aspects of life. In terms of memory, while you sleep your brain filters through the billions of thoughts and substances that turn through your mind and decides what’s worth keeping and what’s worth flushing out.
#2. You’ll Be More Alert
Get caught napping at your desk? Tell your boss you’re improving your alertness. A NASA study on military pilots and astronauts found that a 40-min snooze improved alertness by 100 percent, and overall performance by 34 percent. In the gym, that can help you avoid dumb mistakes that lead to injuries.
Related5 Simple Ways To Rejuvenate Your Workouts
#3. Your Sex Life Can Improve
Instead of turning to pills like Viagra — which alone netted $2 billion in worldwide sales in 2012 — more sleep might be a cheaper and longer lasting cure for low libido. A National Sleep Foundation study found that 26 percent of people were too tired to get busy with their significant other.
#4. You’ll Fend Off Colds Better
A 2009 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who slept less than seven hours per night were three times as likely to catch a cold than those who slept more than seven hours.
