It amazes me the great lengths people will go to for recovery before prioritizing sleep. I love massage, cold plunges, sauna, rolling, massage, etc. But nothing makes me feel better than a great night of sleep.

They say most people need 7-9 hours a sleep a night. 7 used to be perfect for me, but as I have gotten older I need a solid 8 and sometimes 9.

I treat sleep seriously and follow most of the protocols on proper sleep hygeine. I avoid my phone an hour before bed. I have my room dark, the temperature is 68 degrees or below. Sometimes I'll put soothing spa music on.

For my entire life I was a side sleeper. However, my back and shoulders no longer agree with that position. Herniated lumbar discs along with thoracic and shoulder arthritis turned me into a back sleeper.

In order to do this I sleep on a bed wedge that elevates my back a little. I put a pillow under my knees and one under each arm. This keeps me from moving around and rolling to my side while asleep.

Sleeping on my back did not come easy. However, there was a trick I used and actually still use if I have trouble sleeping now. In my head I start counting backwards from 20 very slowly. Ironically I panic when I get down under the teens yet rarely make it to single digits. I'm lucky that I'm a good sleeper.

Don't worry if you don't fall asleep by the time you get to 0, just start over again at 20. The reason you don't want to count upwards is because is it can bet pretty depressing to be up over 1,000 and still not be sleeping. The theory is counting backwards from 20 even when you have to do it multiple times is hard to keep track of.

If this doesn't work do not fret. Luckily we live in an age where you can do all types of research. The point is, sleep is so important. Milk the last drop out of it.

Treat sleep like you are courting yourself. Do everything you can to set it up for success. Don't take it for granted. If you are here checking out Elitefts clearly you must train. Other than eating right there's not a more important thing you can do for your body than sleep well.