Sleep Better With Runtastic Pt. 1: FLORIAN GSCHWANDTNER’S TOP SLEEP HABITS
by Florian Gschwandtner, Runtastic Co-Founder and former CEO
I’ve always felt that sleep is critical. But during a U.S. trip in 2006, I found out how important it really is for me.
Due to a missed flight and an unfortunate series of events, plus the time difference (the whole nine yards, as you can see) I spent 45 hours up and about. No sleep at all. As soon as I finally arrived, I dropped dead into my bed. I slept for 24 hours straight. That’s my absolute sleeping record so far! And that’s how I learned that my body always tries to get back what it needs. Today, I want to take a minute or two to let you in on some of my personal sleep insights.
I’ve yet to beat jet lag
I still don’t sleep well on planes and continue to struggle with jet lag during my frequent travels (tips for how to fight jet lag, anyone?). Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time dealing with all things health and fitness due to Runtastic, and this fundamentally changed my approach to sleep. Today, I consider it a top priority. For me, sleep is part of a fit and healthy lifestyle, just like regular exercise and a balanced diet. Sleep helps me stay in shape, both physically and mentally.
I was surprised by how little I sleep
The biggest change in my sleeping habits took place when I started tracking my sleep. I had no idea how much I slept or how good or bad my sleep was (it didn’t feel great, though). After the first night of sleep tracking, I was perplexed by how little I actually slept. I immediately knew it was time to change my sleeping habits. First, I started trying to go to bed at approximately the same time every day to create a sort of routine. And, I was successful. Currently, I typically sleep between 6.5 and 7.5 hours per night. And due to the longer sleep duration, I feel better and more productive throughout the day.
I turned my bedroom into a wellness haven
I also got a new bed and redesigned my entire bedroom. It’s now my personal wellness haven. A quiet, dark bedroom with a comfortable bed is essential for healthy and regenerative sleep!
I’m looking for the ultimate way to unwind & fall asleep
Unfortunately, I’m not one of those people who slip under the covers, roll over and sleep deeply in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, my thoughts are spinning and I find it hard to ease into “relaxation mode” at night. I suppose many of you know the feeling! Until now, I still haven’t found my perfect personal formula to unwind and relax… but I’ll keep looking and trying different things! Meanwhile, you can check out our tips on how to sleep better and how to improve your sleep quality and get more shut-eye if you’re in need of a better night’s sleep.
I’m an early bird
The early bird catches the worm… I am one of those early birds! Unlike falling asleep, getting up is easy for me. I feel energized in the morning. Want to challenge me to do some push-ups? Ask me first thing in the morning!
Sleep is vital to me & YOU
As I consider sleep an extremely important and exciting topic, the Runtastic team has prepared tons of sleep-related content for you! Over the next few weeks, you’ll learn more about fatigue, dreams, sharing a bed and much more. Plus, we’ll provide you with practical tips to help you improve your sleep quality and make the most of your nights.
Stay tuned & sleep tight!
Yours,
Florian
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