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Exercise Can Help You Sleep
If you are feeling tired and sluggish during the day or have trouble sleeping at night, exercise might be the answer! According to The National Sleep Foundation
150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week, which is the national guideline, provided a 65 percent improvement in sleep quality. People also said they felt less sleepy during the day, compared to those with less physical activity. Meeting your workout times may seem difficult because you are feeling tired, but the health benefits in the long term are worth pushing yourself to do some sort of physical activity, even if it's going for a walk a few times a week.Timing your workouts can make all the difference to your sleep patterns. A good workout first thing in the morning can help you feel more alert and ready to tackle the day as well as increasing your metabolism. Working out late at night right before going to bed can lead to poor sleep, so it's recommended to complete exercise at least three hours before heading to bed, allowing your body temperature to cool down.
Your diet plays a big part in this as well, sugary foods will give you energy for a short time but then you'll come crashing down. Studies found that people who exercised more, also had the knock on effect of eating healthier as well to contribute to their overall health.If you regularly do outside activities or workouts in the sun, the light exposure can actually have a positive effect on your sleep patterns. The light helps regulate your bodies rhythm helping you to get a better nights sleep. This is why often times campers who wake with the sun and go to sleep a bit after it sets will feel more energised for their activities and sleep really soundly.To get the best results it's good to switch up your exercise routines to keep both your body and mind stimulated. This not only helps work different muscles and parts of your body, but the constant change keeps you from getting bored and not wanting to exercise, as well as challenging your mind. Stimulating your mind is as important as physical exercise as boredom can cause anxiety and stress which then leads to sleeping problems.So if you are having problems sleeping, or feeling a lack of energy throughout your day, try adding in different workouts and change up your routines to add mental stimulation. Get your body and mind working and break to break the monotony, and feel the benefits.
Photo: freeimages.com/Ben Johnson.
150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week, which is the national guideline, provided a 65 percent improvement in sleep quality. People also said they felt less sleepy during the day, compared to those with less physical activity. Meeting your workout times may seem difficult because you are feeling tired, but the health benefits in the long term are worth pushing yourself to do some sort of physical activity, even if it's going for a walk a few times a week.Timing your workouts can make all the difference to your sleep patterns. A good workout first thing in the morning can help you feel more alert and ready to tackle the day as well as increasing your metabolism. Working out late at night right before going to bed can lead to poor sleep, so it's recommended to complete exercise at least three hours before heading to bed, allowing your body temperature to cool down.
Your diet plays a big part in this as well, sugary foods will give you energy for a short time but then you'll come crashing down. Studies found that people who exercised more, also had the knock on effect of eating healthier as well to contribute to their overall health.If you regularly do outside activities or workouts in the sun, the light exposure can actually have a positive effect on your sleep patterns. The light helps regulate your bodies rhythm helping you to get a better nights sleep. This is why often times campers who wake with the sun and go to sleep a bit after it sets will feel more energised for their activities and sleep really soundly.To get the best results it's good to switch up your exercise routines to keep both your body and mind stimulated. This not only helps work different muscles and parts of your body, but the constant change keeps you from getting bored and not wanting to exercise, as well as challenging your mind. Stimulating your mind is as important as physical exercise as boredom can cause anxiety and stress which then leads to sleeping problems.So if you are having problems sleeping, or feeling a lack of energy throughout your day, try adding in different workouts and change up your routines to add mental stimulation. Get your body and mind working and break to break the monotony, and feel the benefits.
Photo: freeimages.com/Ben Johnson.
