Athlete Anecdote - Sleep

As a high school athlete, I find balancing schoolwork, sports, and music challenging. As tennis, violin, and ballet require commitment to achieve at a high level, I often neglect sleep to finish my schoolwork after each training and practice session. This made me disengaged from daily activities. I often have migraines, fever, and stomach aches. These symptoms make me irritable, worsening my relationship with my peers. When I had a persistent fever, I realized I needed to build better habits.

Following advice from my parents, I started reducing my amount of screen time. Due to limited time after school and extracurriculars, I would put electronic devices far from reach so I would not get distracted during study and practice sessions. I started studying at school so it would be easier for me to continue when I get home. That way, I would not procrastinate on my schoolwork, which leads to insufficient sleep time. I would try not to use my phone an hour before bedtime as the UV light can disrupt my sleeping cycle. Whenever I had insufficient sleep, I would take a 10-20 minute nap for energy to work. This improved my attention span at school and overall athletic performance. I am less frequently sick as well, improving my emotional well-being and also my communication with others.

This journey taught me sleep is not a luxury–it is a performance tool. It allows your body to recharge and recover for the challenges ahead, such as excelling at school, performing on stage, or competing on the court. It is not always easy, but I have been trying my best to get sufficient sleep.