How Can Exercise Help You Sleep Better?

04 Jul, 2024 People who are struggling to get sufficient sleep should add exercise to their routines. You might be aware that working out has plenty of health benefits. It keeps an individual fit, decreases the chances of diseases, and improves sleep quality. Exercise can tire you out, which is perfect for promoting a good night’s sleep. Sufficient rest will lead to improved physical and mental health. Remember that working out might not serve as a quick fix for improving sleep. Plenty of studies indicate that consistency holds supreme importance when it comes to physical activity. Benefits only happen if you exercise regularly rather than doing it once. Firstly, learn how much you should exercise and when to do it. You can communicate with professionals and prepare a fitness plan accordingly so that it fits your schedule. This way, your sleep and other important things won’t be disturbed. But before that, it is important to learn how exercise can help you sleep better.

1. Stress and Anxiety Reduction

Anxiety and stress often lead to poor sleep. When you think about things going wrong, your body continues to keep you awake in an effort to deal with threats. Hence, it can take you longer to fall asleep, and you might even wake up in the middle of the night. Many studies conclude that frequent exercise equips you to handle stress in a better way. They will build your resilience to anxiety and stress and safeguard you from any negative effects. Thanks to exercising, endorphins which are considered happy hormones, interact with the receptors that are present in your brain to decrease the perception of stress and pain. Endorphins help evoke a pleasant and positive feeling in the body and mind. Since your mind is calm and stress-free, you will be able to sleep instantly. There is no need to go overboard with exercising, just 10 minutes of jogging or cycling can be enough in most cases. Tip: If exercising does not help, consider getting sleep disorder treatment in Adelaide.

2.  Helps Deal With Sleep Disorders

Exercising regularly will allow you to successfully handle sleep disorders such as insomnia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Numerous studies showcase the therapeutic effect exercising has on poor sleep due to sleep disorders. Rather than taking medicines, try following an exercise plan. Working out is often included as a part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in most sleep hygiene practices. This practice often includes integrating some specific behaviours to improve sleep quality.

3.  Syncs the Body to Its Natural Circadian Rhythm

You can think of circadian rhythm as your body’s internal clock since it is responsible for regulating an optimal sleep-wake cycle. During the period of 24 hours, the human body usually experiences some changes in body temperature which has an impact on your feeling of sleepiness and wakefulness. When you exercise, your body temperature increases, signalling that it is time to be awake. After anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes, the temperature starts to drop, making it easier to sleep. Furthermore, just like exercising, it is important to consume essential vitamins and minerals to get better sleep.

Wrapping Up

It is a well-known fact that quality sleep helps improve mental and physical health. Not getting enough rest can have negative consequences. To ensure it does not happen often, exercise regularly and increase the chances of falling asleep easily.