UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers reveals the 5 things she does to fall asleep: Crucial for me

UConn’s Paige Bueckers didn’t rise to the top of the WNBA Draft board without making rest a priority.“My goal is always to get eight to nine hours of sleep,” the 23-year-old basketball sensation told Mindbodygreen.To make it happen, she said, “routine is everything.”Bueckers recently shared the five things she does each night to prepare her body for rest and recovery as she aims to end the Huskies’ nearly decade-long title drought in her final March Madness tournament.First things first: hit the shower.“I definitely like to get a shower in because I drain my hair a lot when it comes to basketball,” Bueckers told Self.

“Plus, I feel like taking a shower is also just very relaxing!”All that action on the court works up a serious sweat, and Bueckers said her hair tends to get greasy as a result.To keep things fresh, she washes her hair with CeraVe shampoo and conditioner about four times a week.The star guard also adds hair and scalp masks to her routine to prevent breakage from hair dye and the strain of her signature face-framing French braids.When it comes to her skin care routine, Bueckers keeps it simple.

“I pretty much just keep it short and sweet with cleanser, moisturizer, and lotion,” she said.Even while she’s asleep, Bueckers ensures her body stays in recovery mode by giving it an extra boost before hitting the hay.“I drink a protein shake right before bed to get a little bit of fueling,” Bueckers said.“Sleeping on that and having that muscle recovery happen overnight is crucial for me.”Research backs her up: Studies show that consuming protein right before bed helps maximize the natural growth hormone spike that occurs during sleep.

By providing your body with essential amino acids, you’re fueling muscle repair and enhancing recovery, according to Healthline.Stretching is another key part of Bueckers’ nightly routine to keep her muscles in peak condition.“Before bed, I do the legs-up-the-wall stretch,” Bueckers...