Regular Exercise Can Help You Sleep Better
If you struggle with sleep, getting active might be the solution. A new study has found that exercising at least twice a week can significantly reduce the risk of insomnia.
The Research
The research, published in BMJ Open, looked at data from 4,339 adults across nine European countries. Those who exercised regularly were 42% less likely to have trouble falling asleep and 22% less likely to experience insomnia symptoms.
Long-term Exercise
Long-term exercise also made a big difference. People who kept up their activity levels for a decade were 55% more likely to be “normal sleepers” (getting between six and eight hours of sleep per night) compared to inactive individuals. They were also 29% less likely to sleep too little (under six hours) and 52% less likely to sleep too much (over nine hours). To be considered physically active, participants needed to exercise at least twice a week for a total of one hour. Researchers found that 25% of people maintained this level of activity over 10 years, while 37% remained inactive.
Conclusion
Among the countries studied, Norwegians were the most likely to keep up regular exercise, while people in Spain and Estonia were the least active. If you're looking for a simple way to improve your sleep, it might be time to lace up your trainers and get moving. (Source: sky.com)
Yes, exercise does improve quality of sleep. Once the weather finally warms up in Maine, I should be able to do a lot more of the activities that I was doing for exercise.
It would also help if I had the right place to do what I need to do to get the exercise that I need. I was hoping to get back to work and to be able to exercise more, but sadly that hasn't happened.
I hope that things will change once the weather finally changes!
Thanks Randy. I'm sure once the weather gets a little better, you can get back into exercise.
Warm weather is a good motivator for exercise – that and being in a good work routine. Fingers crossed on 'work'.