Ensure a good night’s sleep!

Olympians Natalie Coughlin, Kayla Harrison and Nastia Liukin contribute their success in The Games to getting enough rest. Ensuring a good night’s rest is crucial when your body is enduring demanding physical activity. There needs to be time for the body to unwind and relax after the grueling workouts. This is what the Olympians have to say about their sleeping patterns.

The 29-year-old swimmer Natalie Coughlin is an 11-time Olympic medalist. She states:

When I was in Beijing [in 2008], I used a Pilates technique called constructive rest before going to bed. You lie on the floor, knees bent and feet flat. Then you imagine your muscles filling up with water, then [visualize]] all the tension disappearing.

The 22-year-old judo player Kayla Harrison who is ranked No.1 in the U.S. and No.4 in the world says:

I read Atlas Shrugged [before bed] sometimes. It puts me to sleep because it’s so long and monotonous. You can pass out and then pick it up, and they’re having the exact same 70-page conversation!

Nastia Liukin, a 22-year-old gymnast is a five-time Olympic medalist says:

Before I go to sleep I jot down all my thoughts. It really clears your mind.

Photo courtesy of: twitter