LAST WEEK, I READ an article about how Aaron Rodgers, professional quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, has been making lifestyle changes to increase his overall health and wellness, in the hopes of extending his career.The article, written by Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, discussed how Rodgers was taking better care of himself by doing simple things like eating healthier, practicing hot yoga, limiting caffeine and getting more sleep. (Yes, more sleep – music to our ears!Seems Rodgers had been getting only 6 ½ hours of sleep each night, which doesn’t cut it according to the trainer and nutritionist quoted in the article. “For a pro athlete that has a tremendous amount of physical stress on the body, sleeping less than six hours is asking for trouble,” said Nicole Fasules. She went on to say, “All the healing happens at rest and it takes time to get into that deep sleep that is so therapeutic to the body.”

According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep plays a major role in athletic performance and competitive results. During deep sleep, blood supply to the muscles increases, and a growth hormone that’s essential for muscle repair and development is released.

Now, Rodgers gets 7 ½ to 8 hours each night, which is fantastic if you love watching “da Packers” win. And while the rest of us will never be able to throw a football like Rodgers, we certainly can take a lesson from him and get the sleep we need to perform at our best.