Sleep is a wonderful thing but did you know that it can make or break your athletic performance? Whether you're already a varsity cheerleader or you're thinking about going to a cheerleading tryout, you need to examine your sleeping habits if you want to shine your brightest!
So, why do we need to sleep anyway? For your body to completely recover from the day's activities and stresses, proper hydration, healthy food full of nutrients, and sleep are the three things needed to bring you back into tip-top shape for the next new day. While your body is recharging at night, a growth hormone is released that helps build and repair muscles, build strong bones and burn fat. Without getting a good night's sleep that includes a deep sleep, the body produces less of this hormone, and that has a direct affect on how well you'll perform athletically. The REM stage of sleeping energizes both your brain and your body, so without sleep, you'll be walking around like a tired zombie. That's sure to have an impact on your cheerleading training. Well-rested athletes have
