Fueling Champions Week 33: Sleep & Rest Part 2

Daily Talking Points For The Week

Here are the talking points for coaches to announce at the start of a training session to a group of athletes in the weight room, organized from Monday through Friday. These talking points are designed to raise awareness about the importance of sleep among athletes, encouraging them to adopt healthier sleep habits for better performance and recovery.

Monday: The Impact of Blue Light on Sleep

• “Let’s talk about the importance of cutting down blue light exposure from screens before bedtime. Devices like your phone or laptop can trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep. Consider winding down without screens at least an hour before bed to help improve your sleep quality. I invite you to set your phone on Night mode and share what it does to your screen color with me tomorrow.”

Tuesday: Social Media and Sleep

• “A study on NBA players showed that tweeting late at night affected their game performance negatively. It’s not just about the blue light; the content and engagement on social media can also keep your mind active, making it hard to relax. Let’s aim to put our phones down earlier and see if we notice a difference in how we feel during training and games.”

Wednesday: Proof That More Sleep Boosts Performance

• “Research with college basketball players demonstrated that increasing sleep to 8.5 hours per night significantly improved their performance. This is a clear message that getting enough sleep is as important as your physical training. Think about how you can adjust your routines to get more rest.”

Thursday: Tips for Better Sleep

• “Many athletes don’t have a plan for optimizing sleep. Simple changes can make a big difference: stick to a consistent sleep schedule, develop a pre-sleep routine to relax, and ensure your sleeping environment is dark, cool, and quiet. Reflect on your current habits and identify one change you can make tonight.”

Friday: Open Discussion on Sleep Habits

• “Let’s take the last 10 minutes today to discuss our sleep habits. Share one strategy you’ve found effective for improving your sleep, or a challenge you’re facing in getting enough rest. Remember, good sleep is foundational for recovery and performance. Your experiences might provide valuable insights for your teammates.”