After a Career-Ending ACL Injury, Olympic Champion Lindsey Vonn Struggled With Insomnia for a Decade

Many sports experts emphasize the importance of sleep for better performance. Legend skier Lindsey Vonn is quite aware of the fact that how sleep deficiency can affect the performance of any sportsperson. The 38-year-old Olympic champion was in the form of her life before she met with a tragic accident in 2013. While most of the sporting world focussed on the circumstances, Vonn recently highlighted the effect of sleep deficiency on her recovery and psychology. 

March is considered a sleep awareness month across the globe. And who is better than one of the most inspiring female personalities in the sporting world to educate people on the issue?  

Lindsey Vonn recalls the adverse effects of the sleep deficiency

The four-time World Champion recently went down memory lane as she recalled how the ACL injury completely changed her sleeping pattern. The American skier had won three Olympic medals and four World Cups before the accident, and an adequate sleep cycle helped her in achieving that feat. However, after the injury, things changed drastically for the legendary skier.

Vonn couldn’t understand whether it was the injury pain that prevented her from sleeping or perhaps the anxiety of sustaining a serious injury during the Olympics season. Vonn’s working pattern had switched from all-day, intense exercise and exertion to slow, and methodical physical activity for recovery. This came as a total shock to her body and affected her sleep cycle. Vonn used to stay in bed instead of going to sleep, wondering if she would be able to get on the ice quickly enough.

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The negativity kept occupying her subconscious mind, and it drastically impacted her psychology. The adverse effects were clearly visible in the way her body responded. She used to be sleepy all day, and her attention span shortened. “I noticed the effects of sleeping poorly on my body and my mind. I’d spend the day drowsy and, sometimes,” she told the Healthy Woman. 

However, the champion skier made an effort to change the things that were within her capabilities. She changed her diet and cut back on sugar. The former Olympic Gold medalist started sticking to a regular schedule and avoided watching TV before night. She also started exercising good sleep hygiene. However, all her efforts went in vain.

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It was the inspiration from her family members that kept her persistent. After her retirement in 2019, Vonn prioritized her mental and physical well-being above everything. She reached a specialist whose prescription worked for Vonn. Finally, a long battle came to an end with the American skier victorious. Even after her retirement, the 38-year-old manages to inspire the viewers with her ‘never give up’ spirit.