Being an athlete is a challenging job. You are constantly trying to pass your old records, compete and prepare your body to be in its best condition. Athletes are used to consistent, rigorous training, but there are just some days when they feel extra tired. There are also times when their mind is relaxed, so they have difficulty preparing. Training and continuous practice are on the table, but there are other ways to help athletes hype up when their state challenges their goal. Here are some of the ways to help you jumpstart.
Stimulants
There are tons of products that can help stimulate your brain to help you energize. Coffee, pre-workout, and cannabis are examples of stimulants athletes use. Coffee and pre-workout both have caffeine in them. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It increases your brain activity, making you more alert, and focused; this also serves as a cognitive enhancer. Depending on the size and kind of coffee, pre-workouts usually have a higher caffeine dosage. But if you are going to use one for training, it is better to use coffee. They are a lot cheaper and also healthier. But this doesn’t mean pre-workouts are unhealthy; just like coffee, it also has a limit and certain time to use.
Depending on the sport, state, and sports commission, an athlete can use Cannabis to help improve their performance. Anecdotal evidence state that their vision improved temporarily after using cannabis. It also helped relax their muscles, allowing them to move properly and quickly. Cannabis also helped them reduce tension and anxiety. The physical state isn’t the only aspect an athlete should consider. Using stimulants like Apollo Cannabis can help them as long as they take it in the prescribed dosage. Despite the stigma, cannabis can actually help one, not just athletes, with many issues. What’s important is that they seek a doctor and strictly follow the dosage intake to prevent any adverse effects.
Proper Sleep
The most underrated and overlooked aspect is sleep. Sleep is actually more important than you think. It is during sleep that your muscle recovers. Sleep also plays a huge role in your mood. Many may think that you are fine as long as you get eight hours of sleep, but there is more science behind sleep than just getting 8 hours of it.
There are stages in sleeping, the non-REM and REM. Non-REM comes first; REM means rapid eye movement. There are three mini-stages in this stage, the N1, where you fall asleep. N2, you are in light sleep. Lastly, the N3, where you are in the deepest sleep state. Muscle recovery, bone growth, and cellular homeostasis; basically all the recovery your body needs. The last stage of sleep is REM. This is the stage where you dream, and your brain activity increases. This stage is responsible for all your body’s hormonal and emotional processes. That is why when you wake up in the middle of before this stage, you become groggy, easily irritated, and have a bad mood.
These stages are also the reason why you still feel tired even when you sleep for such a long time. You should sleep according to the cycle. Each cycle lasts at least 90 up to 120 minutes each. So it is fine if you cannot sleep in the recommended amount as long as you sleep by cycle to help you focus and feel refreshed.
Workout
Being an athlete means you are exposed to many physical activities. Working out will greatly help you perform better. You should have strength training and cardio. Strength training will help you grow your muscles. You do not have to worry if you are a girl who is worried about being bulky. Strength training isn’t the only thing you have to do to be bulky. Strength training will help you achieve a leaner and stronger body. Cardio is also essential. Doing cardio will help you last longer and improve your breathing technique and stamina.
When taking stimulants, regulation is very important. You should strictly follow the dosage limit and use them accordingly. You cannot take them three times a day every day. Doing so will only worsen your state. Consistency is the key to working out. Sleep is vital to everyone, especially athletes, so you should not underestimate it. If you work out, all the more, you should have a proper sleep every night.
Source:
The Stages of Sleep: What Happens During Each (healthline.com)
