The workout your body does while you’re lying down

We are constantly challenging ourselves each day. We track steps, count calories and book gym classes. But we’re forgetting the most powerful performance tool we have: sleep. Think of sleep as “fitness for your brain and body. Just like you can’t get stronger by skipping workouts, you can’t heal, focus, or lose weight by skipping sleep. Sleep fitness is training your body to recover well — night after night. Therefore, sleep deprivation is a no-no. Here’s the truth: seven to nine hours isn’t a luxury. It’s maintenance. Why sleep is your secret weapon Recovery: While you sleep, muscles repair, hormones balance, and your immune system resets. One bad night and cortisol — your stress hormone — spikes. Two bad nights and your cravings for sugar and coffee double. Plus, you get more irritable. Brain power: Sleep clears out mental “waste” through the lymphatic system. That’s why after eight hours, you make better decisions, handle stress better, and remember things. People don’t run on four hours of sleep. They crash because of it. Metabolism: Sleep regulates ghrelin and leptin — the hormones that tell you “I’m hungry” and “I’m full.” Sleep-deprived people don’t lack willpower. They’re biologically hungrier. 4 habits to build sleep fitness Start a sleep schedule: Your body loves rhythm. Go...