Exercise Your Way to Better Sleep

5 April 2022      

Prioritizing good sleep is therapeutic for both the mind and the body. Sleep is an essential function that will allow your body and mind to recharge. Good sleep will leave you totally refreshed and alert when you wake up and help your body remain healthy. Bad sleep can have the opposite effect. Exercise helps you achieve good sleep. So let’s get that body moving on a regular recurring basis.

If you prefer to exercise in the late evening, be sure to give yourself plenty of enough time to wind down afterwards in preparation for sleep or else you are doomed to toss and turn every night. With moderate aerobic exercise, it will increase the amount of slow wave sleep (deep sleep) you will get. It means a deep sleep where the brain and body have a chance to rejuvenate or recharge. Exercise will help to stabilize your mood and decompress the mind. However, the timing of exercise requires attention. It is important to exercise at least 1 to 2 hours before going to bed because aerobic exercise will cause the body to release endorphins that will create a level of activity in the brain that keeps some people awake. Another thing doing exercise will raise your core body temperature that will make you stay awake. However, after half an hour, it will start to fall and the decline helps to facilitate sleepiness.

For most people biological responses to exercise will not make a difference. Other people find that whether they exercise in the morning or close to bedtime, they will still find the benefit to their sleep. And while exercise is considered good for sleep, exercising at the right time will even be better. Overall, know your body and know yourself.

For more fitness tips, contact Answer is Fitness.