Sleeping Soundly With Shauna Coxsey
4 min read
Last Modified 28 May 2021 First Added 14 April 2021
I don’t necessarily have a regime as such. Well not consciously but subconsciously I know I need to get more sleep when I’m training harder and I plan around that. I definitely go to bed pretty early – generally by 9 o’clock.
When I’m training full-time, 10 hours is necessary but even when I’m on the road, I’d say 8 hours is my absolute minimum.
My number one sleep tip is to create an environment that you feel relaxed in. I think if your bedroom is really messy it can feel like a place that induces anxiety and that’s not good for sleeping.
I don’t like late nights or early mornings, I prefer sleep.
A lack of sleep can be okay for a very short period of time. In the past I’ve had nights before a competition when I’ve not really slept but then I’ve performed really well which can make you think you can get away with it. But a lack of sleep over a prolonged period of time can have a negative effect on both training and performance. You just don’t have the energy to get the most out of the session or you don’t recover very well.
I generally try to stay away from routines. You can get so absorbed in them that, if something goes wrong, it can create a lot of stress. I shower every night before bed because it makes me feel better, but it’s not something I do to induce sleep.
Not that frequently, only because I feel like I have so much to do. I do love napping though, I think it’s really good.
8 hours is my absolute minimum.
Nothing, I’m a really good sleeper. I’m one of those annoying people who can sleep through anything no matter what’s going on. There’s probably only been a handful of nights when I’ve not slept well throughout my career.
Yes, I still get nervous. I care a lot about what I’m doing and I think it’s very natural and very normal to get nervous. I’m good now at controlling those nerves and using them to my benefit. I also think knowing that one night’s sleep loss won’t necessarily affect me means that it doesn’t scare me or make me feel uncomfortable.
Always a snoozer. I’ve read so many quotes that say successful people don’t snooze – they get up and take the day by storm, but I’m such a snoozer. I have at least one snooze, sometimes two – maybe even three.
I do get a lie-in in that I try and have one day a week where I sleep as much as I need. So, I’ll go to bed pretty early and sleep without an alarm. But I also have a dog and he’s a good alarm clock.
I go to bed early and I get up late! So, I’m neither. I don’t like late nights or early mornings, I prefer sleep.
To discover more about Shauna, visit her athlete profile.