INSPO Fitness Journal August 2017

SLEEP
AND
SPORT
The importance of
a good night’s sleep
is widely recognised
as impacting on
many aspects of life –
particularly if you’re
an elite athlete.
Bailey Mes
Silver Ferns player Bailey Mes knows
firsthand how crucial sleep is to her
recovery process. Together with teammate
Grace Rasmussen, the pair are part of a
new Sealy Sleep and Sport campaign. Below
Bailey shares some insights into how sleep
can impact life and success.
Bailey Mes
Since being selected into the Silver Ferns
in 2012, Bailey Mes rapidly established a
reputation as a dynamic player; her shooting
game, athletic ability and accuracy setting a
solid platform.
Since her Silver Ferns debut against South
Africa, Bailey went on to play tests in the
midcourt and shooting circle, becoming the
150th Silver Fern in the process. As well as
being a key performer in the FAST5 Ferns,
the 1.87m player had an outstanding Netball
World Cup 2015.
She has remained a crucial member of
the Silver Ferns team, and while skills, fitness,
strength and nutrition are essential parts of
her success, so is sleep.
Bailey shares how sleep can make all the
difference in sport and her thoughts around
her new Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite bed.
What’s your training regime like?
Very, very busy. During the netball season
(April to July) we have one to two games a
week, as well as two team training sessions of
four hours, and two to three weight sessions.
Our game days are Sunday, Monday or
Wednesday, which might fall as many as nine
days or as little as three days apart. When
there’s a short turnaround, we need a lot
more recovery time. We attend regular yoga
sessions to help us relax.
Is it hard to sleep after a game?
After a game, you’re so wired, as you don’t
usually get off the court until 9.30pm, then
you have to warm down and it’s usually midnight
(at the earliest) before I get to sleep. It’s
hard to get to sleep post game, but a great bed
helps. Sometimes I’ll watch the game back,
but that isn’t always a great way to relax. It’s
also much harder to sleep after a loss…
What are your thoughts of sleeping on a
Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite bed?
It’s amazing. I’ve graduated from my
flatmate’s slat bed to a Sealy Posturepedic
Exquisite bed and I can absolutely tell the
difference. There’s nothing better than
getting into a new, freshly made, comfy and
supportive bed.
Why is a great rest and good night’s sleep
so important in sport? And for your general
well-being and mindfulness?
It impacts everything, you don’t get as much
out of anything you do if you’re tired. You
won’t get the most out of your training and
ultimately won’t enjoy what you’re doing
as your body won’t recover as fast - you’re
constantly playing catch-up. Mentally everything
feels and seems a bit harder too. You
come to appreciate the down time being so
active – so it’s nice to have an amazing new
Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite bed to enjoy
my recovery in.
What are you reading and/or listening and
watching at the moment?
I’m studying a diploma in Digital Photography
extramurally. I moved back to Auckland
in December, and although it was hard to
leave Christchurch, I’m glad I made the
change. However, it means I’m reading a
lot of course notes. I love the Stolen books
too, which are all handwritten or illustrated
– nothing digital, all analog. I’m also
reading a typography book, which I find
interesting, although I’m not sure everyone
would? Listening to music is a big one for
me too, it helps me hype up when I need to,
then also helps me relax, depending on the
tune. I have a lot of playlists, depending on
my mood, and listen to a bit of everything.
I appreciate folk music when I’m resting,
relaxing, reading in bed.
What’s your favourite quote or motto?
I found a quote by Jim Elliot and I wrote it
down because I think it’s important ‘wherever
you are, be all there’. I’m also a big fan of
‘feel the fear and do it anyway’.
38 INSPO – FITNESS JOURNAL AUGUST 2017