7 Tips To Become A Super-Sleeper

When it comes to performing like a pro, top athletes’ secret weapon is a good night’s slumber. Here are the tricks they use...

- Sarah Ivory

Waking up feeling well rested is something we all dream about but, amazingly, only six percent of Brits achieve the recommended eight hours of shut-eye each night. Not only is this bad news for your health it’s also detrimental to your fitness. Why? Because quality snoozing time has been shown to improve recovery speed and increase energy levels. Research from Stanford University, in the US, reveals that swimmers who clocked 10 hours of sleep a night for six to seven weeks swam faster and turned quicker, while tennis players who snoozed the same amount improved their sprint times and serve accuracy.

It’s no surprise, then, that top athletes claim to gain a competitive edge by boosting the quality of their sleep. Indeed, Serena Williams reports going to bed at 7 pm each night, hitting the hay on a Tempur mattress that is said to relieve pressure points. Other pro athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Team Sky cyclists take sleep so seriously that they hired a ‘sleep coach’. Ready for an unbelievable night of rest? Try these expert tips loved by the elites and become a super-sleeper.

1| Buy a good mattress…