If you take pride in your physical fitness, you’re likely always on the hunt for something that will give you an edge in the gym. But, did you know that something all of us do daily could be holding you back from hitting your goals? Research shows that sleep can have a profound impact on your ability to recover from workouts, build muscle, and increase your endurance. Let’s take a closer look at sleep and why getting a great night’s sleep is more important than you may have previously known.
How Does Sleep Affect Muscle Growth?
It’s paradoxical to think of sleep as work, but the body, specifically the endocrine system, is hard at work when you fall asleep at night. The main function of the endocrine system is hormone regulation. Hormones are crucial for various bodily functions like promoting muscle growth, controlling cell-metabolism, and increasing fertility. However, the endocrine system cannot function properly unless the body and brain reach the proper sleep stages for adequate amounts of time each night. A well-regulated circadian rhythm is key for achieving appropriate amounts of deep-stage sleep, so consistent sleep/wake times should focus on anyone looking to build muscle.
Sleep Deprivation and Muscle Loss
Sleep is crucial for regulating muscle growth; sleep is also important for preserving a person’s muscle. While the actual biochemical mechanisms are not fully understood, a recent study published by the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences showed that after just one night of acute sleep deprivation, metabolic levels in the body changed to support muscle breakdown preservation of fat. This suggests that when a person does not get enough rest, the body responds by consuming lean muscle and protein for fuel rather than fat cells.
How Deep and REM Sleep Can Help Muscle Recovery
When it comes to building muscle, the human growth hormone is of the utmost importance. As HGH, human growth hormone, is a naturally occurring peptide in our bodies that stimulates cell growth and reproduction. When you enter the phases of a deep sleep, your endocrine system releases this peptide into the bloodstream to promote new muscle tissue construction and repair muscles stressed during the day. Simply put, if you don’t get enough time in deep-stage sleep, your endocrine system may not release enough HGH to promote adequate muscle repair and growth.
In addition to deep sleep, releasing hormones, rapid-eye-movement sleep, or REM sleep, is crucial for muscle recovery. During REM sleep, muscles relax, aiding in the reduction of pain and rejuvenating muscles taxed during the day’s workout. Without enough REM sleep, delayed-onset muscle soreness can linger longer than usual and make workouts that much more difficult.
Best Hemp Extract Products for Better Workouts
It’s clear that sleep is crucial for better performance in the gym — but you may be wondering, “Is there something I should do to get the best sleep possible, have the best performance in the gym, and reduce the after-effects of my workouts?” If you haven’t added hemp extract to your daily routine, then it may be worth considering taking your workouts to the next level.
Hemp Extract Gummies for Sleep with Melatonin
An outstanding supplement for any sleep regimen is melatonin. Melatonin is a naturally occurring chemical in your brain that’s crucial for regulating your circadian rhythm. When melatonin is at inadequate levels, sleeping soundly through the night can be a challenge. Hemp extract gummies with melatonin are an excellent way to support your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle and ensure you get refreshing and rejuvenating sleep.*
Hemp Extract Oils and Capsules for Muscle Recovery
Recovery after a workout is just as important as pushing yourself during the workout to maximize your potential. If stretching, foam rolling, and other conventional recovery methods leave you feeling like something is missing, Hemp Extract may be the final piece of the puzzle. Many find that adding hemp extract oils, gummies, or capsules has beneficial effects on their muscle recovery methods. Hemp Extract helps support recovery from exercise-induced inflammation and may positively affect your mood, reduce stress, and reduce daily anxiety.* Higher stress levels trigger cortisol release, and too much cortisol can harm your workout recovery.
Hemp Extract Balms, Creams, and Ointments for Sore Muscles
Pain from delayed-onset-muscle soreness and joint wear are common hurdles anyone dedicated to physical fitness has dealt with. Working out is difficult and pushing through pain during a workout only increases that difficulty. If you’re finding that soreness in your muscles and joints is lasting longer than you feel it should, then consider using hemp extract topicals.
Sleep is crucial for feeling and performing at your best. Not only will a lack of sleep hinder your cognitive abilities and make the day more difficult, but it will also undoubtedly hurt the hard work you put in at the gym.
