Optimizing sleep positively impacts functioning and enhances performance. When crunch time comes sleep is often sacrificed first. Athletes are no exception! Stanford University researchers found basketball players who got at least an extra hour of sleep each night for 5-7 weeks experienced increased shooting accuracy and sprint times by almost 10%. They also reported increased vigor, less fatigue along with better physical and mental well-being scores.

So make optimal daily sleep a priority. It improves your chances to reach peak performance—physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.

Fred Hardinge DrPH, RD
Source: PositiveChoices.com. Used with permission.