We all know that many of us don’t get enough sleep every night, and that it’s related to serious health risks and problems. Old news; got it.
But instead of seeing sleep as a problem that needs to be fixed, maybe it’s time to think of it as the secret ingredient to give us the edge.
We got together with Sleep & Sports expert Cheri Mah to create this infographic to show why athletes care so dang much about their sleep–and coincidentally, why you should, too.
Case in point
Just by googling some of the top athletes out there, we found that most of these high performers get much more sleep than your typical person.
The reason? Recovery.
When you’re already at the top of your game, leveraging your sleep could be the way to beat the competition. If you know that being your mental and physical best gives you the better performance, wouldn’t you try to repeat that, game after game?
2-year US Triathlete champ Jarrod Shoemaker knows it. Team Radioshack knows it. The Trailblazers and the Celtics know it, too. For them, sleep can mean the difference between winning and losing.
But what about you? Have you made sleep part of your game plan for success? Sure, you might not be in the NBA, but that MBA you have speaks volumes about your inner drive to live life to the fullest, not just putter along by the wayside.
Now it’s your turn to step up and be a champ–all it takes is a little more sleep.
Get all the details for better sleep, including Cheri Mah’s Game Plan, below! (Or see it full size here!). You can also get more tips and pointers via our newsletter, so sign up below!
Steve (ZQ: 100) is our resident Research Scientist, working to help people understand the science behind Zeo, as well as the science of sleep. He is one of the driving forces behind our Sleep Research Center.
Cheri D. Mah is a sleep medicine researcher at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Laboratory. She is one of the leading authorities in sleep and athletic performance and coaches collegiate and professional sports teams on optimal sleep, recovery, and peak performance.
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Love the infographic!
Where did you get the sleep data from the pro athletes? Was it self-reported or did you give them a Zeo to use for a few days?
We actually got the sleep data from searching the internet and finding quotes, etc. The only exception was with Jarrod Shoemaker, who actively uses Zeo for his training and allowed us to share his actual information. Others on the list may be using Zeo as well, we just don’t know about it yet.
You mention Cycling Team Radioshack. I am not sure if you have done any formal work with Dr. Allen Lim, Exercise Philologist to Lance Armstong and Floyd Landis, but he is the one that turned me on to Zeo and a good friend. I have been a long time user of Zeo and a strong advocate.
I would welcome the opportunity to work with Zeo.
Patrick Walters
TeamKOVI
Hi Patrick! We do know Dr. Lim and he’s definitely a good friend of Zeo. Glad to hear that you’ve been using Zeo – we’d be happy to talk with you. Feel free to drop me a line at stephan at myzeo dot com any time.
Great article!
I think this shows the sad disconnect between the reality of our sports superstars and the average joe. When your “job” is training for and playing a sport (i.e. something you love) then you have a lot of extra time that can be spent resting and recharging.
Working in a job for 8-10 hours a day means that more than a third of the day is gone already, normally doing unenjoyable work simply to get paid. If you factor in travel and prep time it consumes more like 10-12 hours a day.
After spending that much time working people have a natural desire to spend some time of their day doing something they actually like which ends up cutting into the much needed sleep time. So for many people 10-12 hours of sleep would just seem impossible. If only the focus was less work time instead of less sleep time.
Zac
Hi Zac,
You’re right; when your body is key to your job it makes sense spending so much time keeping in in top form. For us mortals, trying to duplicate it certainly seems like a long shot.
But with athletes and other celebrities, it’s easy to forget that they’re just human after all. They’re bodies need R&R just like ours–and their boss makes them do grueling practice drills when they might want to be kicking back.
The point is that despite the difference in work, athletes tend to see sleep as part of their overall plan for success, whereas we cube rats tend to see it as something expendable. They make sleep part of their “must have” routine—and may be better in tune to how powerful it is.
Granted, they’ve probably made off the court sacrifices to get that balance, but athletes still have families, hobbies, and other obligations to meet. So while 10-12 hours sleep probably isn’t going to work for most people, it makes certainly makes getting 7-9 look easy.
Larry skuce. a.I have “Sleep apnea!” Tested in 2 sleep studies! i have sleep apnea machine! I have problems using machine! When I was young i was active in a. basket ball b. handball c. touch flag football d.baseball. Now I work out ina chropractic gym etc. I ahve sever sleep deprivation! Need soeone to advise me & instruct me on using my sleep machine! Waht do you suggest? Could you confirm when you get this email? email: larryskcue@yahoo.com
Hi Larry,
I’m not sure what you’re looking for but if you’re having problems using you Zeo, I suggest contacting our lovely customer support team. They can be reached at customersupport(at)myzeo(dot)com and would be happy to help you out.
Cheers!
I am Ocean Lu， an editor of Liaoning Science and Technology Publishing House . which focuses on the books in the field of graphic design,architecture and interior design, which are published and sold in China and also in other countries.
Fortunately, I found your woks through the internet , there are so many innovative competition works on your website. Your works made a deep impression on me.I want to know whether you would like to publish your designs into a book about infographic design.I think it will be more helpful of the extension of your designs.
Best regards from China
Ocean Lu
Editor