Sleep like an Olympian

As per usual, when there's a big sporting event taking place, there's no escaping it. The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics have been no exception, especially with the nation keen to relive the highs experienced during the incredibly successful London 2012 games. The Winter Olympics may only last for 16 days, but the preparation and legacy that's typically left behind spans a much greater length of time. This time around, the legacy of the games is to be left in the hands of Russia, but the preparation? Well, that's something that's left mainly in the hands of the athletes. All sporting types take special preparations the night before a big competition, and we'll let you in to a little secret – sometimes it's to calm down nerves more than anything else. How Olympians prepare We're led to believe that Olympic athletes are these superhuman-like people, all of whom possess special powers, because there is no other way imaginable that we could achieve the things that they do. As annoying as it may be, that just isn't the case. Lizzy Yarnold recently won gold for Great Britain at the Sochi 2014 games in the women's skeleton – and as she explained on her blog, when it comes to the night before the race, she's as nervous and as human as the rest of us. "I began to get quite nervous on Wednesday 12th, the day before the race," Lizzy writes. "I texted my best friend, 'I'm feeling quite nervous about tomorrow, I have to tell you. I can't tell anyone else.' I felt really silly for worrying and feeling so anxious." Lizzy isn't alone with the pre-race jitters. Though now retired, Kelly Holmes set a number of British records and brought many medals home – most notably at the 2004 Athens Olympics. In a BBC interview, she outlined her more unorthodox preparations before a big race-day. "I have one very strict pre-race superstition - I always lay my kit out the night before a race," Dame Kelly explains. "Every single thing has to be laid out! I have to have my shoes under my chair, my shorts, vest, everything has to be how I have it. No matter where I go in the world, I do the same and it never changes." How you can prepare Though the majority of us are unlikely to win gold medals as the two inspirational women here have done, there's no reason why we can't prepare ourselves the night before something significant is due to happen. Anxiety usually strikes at the worst possible time – though typically, it's when we're lying in bed and trying to get to sleep before a big day. The Olympians seem to have the right idea with setting a routine. It might feel a little neurotic, but by doing familiar pre-sleep actions, you'll eventually condition your mind and body to get into a more relaxed state. Lay out your gear for the next day, get in bed at a set time and focus on relaxing – you're sure to bring home the gold. Sleep like an Olympian