One thing bothersome adults and children have in common is their inability to relax and sleep. Unless sleep is used as a type of escapism, deep rest is often difficult for the harassed.

I know that when I was a child, I had constant nightmares listening to my mother and stepfather argue. I got to the point of being afraid to sleep. Later, I liked the fatigue as it excluded the pain and monotony of high school. It got worse when I worked late or early in the morning. My school grades suffered and so did my health.

(Of course, when you’re very on the lookout for drunk stepfathers and high school bullies, you have a hard time relaxing.)

Despite how much I ate, I couldn’t seem to gain much muscle. It wasn’t until years later that I became more independent and confident that I could rest and sleep more soundly and gain more muscle weight. I was also able to concentrate better. So later I went to college and really remembered what I was supposed to do.

Those in a rush to lose weight, gain muscle, finish school, or learn to defend themselves often ignore the break. That’s often because the adrenaline acorns are stuck. Trust me this time.

To support this theory, I read about a study in Montreal, Canada, in 1958, where school-age children participated in feeding programs and generally ate roughly the same amount of food. Quite consistently, children from high-stress families almost always underweight and tired.

Well this was a relief when I realized that I was not a total jerk. My mind couldn’t process information while stuck in survival mode most of the time.

So what does this mean for you, my friends, who might be struggling with underweight or overweight (too much cortisol due to stress)?

It means that to achieve greater muscle gains, burn fat and improve concentration, you must include rest and sleep in your routine. If you’ve completed your school course load and have two jobs, then it’s time for some serious rescheduling, as lack of sleep can ruin your school grades, your ability to earn a living, and your relationships.

I used to work 12 to 18 hours a day throughout the summer and then go home to school and / or work and be tired and restless for about three weeks as my mind and body tried to recover from the hectic pace of training with the army reserves. The dream is a usurer of nature. You’ll pick up that payback period eventually.

Hard train. But, give yourself that well-deserved rest and sleep. Your mind and body will thank you.