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Exercise and nutrition are essential training elements for Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, but sleep ranks just as high on her priority list. She shares her sleeping habits with us below. They have kept her physically and mentally fit to compete at the highest level for the last 10 years, so listen up!
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| *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. |
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What inspired you to start prioritizing sleep to optimize your athletic performance? |
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| A: When you’re younger, you’re looking at the obvious things that you need to be focusing on. As an athlete, that’s primarily the exercise and training on that day, and it’s kind of this very in-the-moment focus. During my teen years, I learned if I didn’t get quality sleep, I wouldn’t train as effectively and it mattered less what nutrition I put in my body. I wouldn’t be where I am today as a gold medalist if I hadn’t learned that. |
| Q: |
What’s your sleep routine like nowadays? |
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| A: I have a whole routine that I look forward to that gets me excited for rest and sleep. I typically make tea, cuddle up with my dog, turn off the TV, and read a book for a while. Then I meditate and write in a journal. [I do] something that gets me relaxed and my mind not working so much because there’s so much going on throughout the day. Then I go to bed. |
| Q: |
How do you find the balance between training and resting? |
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| A: Olympic athletes like to have fun, too. I don’t like to be too hard or too strict on myself. Getting sleep and rest is not a source of anxiety for me. It’s something that I figured out how to work into my life and makes me happy. Sometimes I don’t stick to those times on the dot, but it’s a goal and what I aim for. |
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Which resources helped you boost your sleep health? |
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| A: I leaned on my track and field coach at Harvard University, and the doctors from whom I received care. I also tapped into my degree in neurobiology and global health. |
| The start of my sleep journey was getting informed and figuring out what works for me, and I’d encourage everyone to do the same. As an Olympic athlete and a public health advocate, I’d love to see everyone prioritize their own overall health, and sleep is such an important part of that. |
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