The past two years have been a whirlwind for Laurie Hernandez, who spent last summer in Rio de Janeiro winning gold and silver medals with the U.S. “Final Five” Olympic Gymnastics team. While she’s not competing on the world stage this year, life hasn’t slowed down for the 17-year old self-professed “dancing machine.” Whether on the balance beam, studying for an exam or researching colleges, having a winning routine gives her that extra edge.
“Since the Olympics, life has been super amazing and crazy busy,” said Hernandez, who is a paid spokesperson for Alcon DAILIES® contact lenses. “I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved outside of the gym – from winning ‘Dancing with the Stars’ to writing my first book, ‘I Got This.’ No matter the task, bringing home the gold takes preparation and focus. And these days, I approach my training schedule with the same outlook as I do my school work and many other projects so I can become the kind of athlete, student and role model I want to be in the future.”
Whether you’re looking to win on the intramural field or in the classroom this Fall, here’s a glimpse into Laurie’s everyday routine that gives her an invisible edge to perform at her best:
● You Snooze, You Win: Getting the right amount and quality of sleep is very important. Since she rarely sleeps eight hours, Laurie makes every hour of sleep count. That includes the right bedding, shutting off her smartphone and, sometimes, sleeping with soothing music or nature sounds. Good sleep improves memory and retention – from her floor exercise moves to challenging math concepts.
● Vision for Success: Laurie is always looking for little things that give her a big advantage. That’s why she wears Alcon DAILIES® AquaComfort Plus® contact lenses to see, look and feel her best. The daily disposable lenses are not only comfortable, but they are convenient because they don’t require cleaning or disinfecting. The lenses allow Laurie to see clearly when training in the gym and when looking at her digital device. She can group text for hours with her Olympic teammates.
● Pump It Up: Music is as important as sleep and clear eyesight to Laurie. It gets her through the ups and downs of training and just the everyday challenges of being a teenager. She fills her playlist with favorites and plays them according to her mood, the day’s schedule and what she wants to achieve. If music is your thing, find ways to incorporate it into your day to help give you a boost.
● Crank up the Creativity: Although she’s an athlete and a student, Laurie loves to let her artistic juices flow. Sometimes she takes a break from her rigorous training and school schedule by channeling her creativity through painting, binge watching movies, making #AskLaurie Web videos or posting cool photos to social media. This gives her a boost of energy so she can re-focus on her work.
● Dancing Like a Star: If Laurie wasn’t a gymnast, she’d be a professional dancer. And she always finds time – no matter the place – to bust a move. Dancing helps keep her centered and is a way to stay in shape between training sessions. You don’t have to be a trophy-winning dancer like Laurie to move to the beat – in your dorm room or in the library, dancing can clear your mind and bring things into focus.
This is what makes up Laurie’s success story – on and off the balance beam. So, what’s your winning routine? Visit www.Dailies.com to learn how comfortable, clear eyesight can give you that invisible edge.
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