You wake up tired. You’re moody during the hours that you’re awake. You’ve started to gain weight even though your diet hasn’t changed. What’s going on? It might be that you’re not sleeping well at night. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of poor sleep, you may be desperate to find a “cure” for your sleep problems. Believe it or not, the remedy you’re seeking may be as simple as working out. You don’t have to embark on a training program as if you’re preparing to compete in an Olympic event. You can enjoy improved sleep by exercising for just 30 minutes per day, five days per week. Read more as we explore the question “does exercise help with sleep?”
While it may take time for exercise to benefit you in the context of improved sleep if you suffer from chronic insomnia, that’s not the case for others. In fact, some people may enjoy better sleep as early as tonight simply by engaging in moderate aerobic exercise for 30 minutes today, provided their workout isn’t too close to their bedtime.
How Does Exercise Help with Sleep?
Exercise can improve the quality and duration of your sleep in several ways. And some of them may surprise you and motivate you to hit the gym at the same time.
Increases Time Spent in Deep Sleep
As you can probably guess, deep sleep is the sleep phase that’s the most restorative. Deep sleep improves your immune function, supports heart health and helps your body and mind recover from stress and anxiety. When they exercise on a regular basis, people typically spend more time in deep sleep every night.
Increases the Duration of Your Sleep
Working out requires you to burn energy, which helps your body to feel tired at the end of the day. When you exercise consistently on a daily basis, your workouts will often increase the amount of sleep you get nightly.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are common culprits when it comes to sleep issues. Working out regularly can reduce your stress and anxiety, which can help you fall asleep faster and prevent you from waking up during the night. A mere five minutes of exercise can prompt anti-anxiety responses in your body. Yoga, or another mind-body type of exercise, can lower your cortisol levels and blood pressure. This sort of exercise can also enhance your mood and facilitate sleep.
How Much Exercise Do You Need?
As we mentioned earlier, it’s generally advisable to exercise at least 30 minutes per day, five days per week. While working out more is great, exercising too much can interfere with your sleep rather than improve it. One of the first signs that you might be overtraining is the onset of sleep problems or insomnia.
The “right” amount of exercise will differ from person to person and the same can be said of proper amounts of sleep. So, experiment until you find the level of exercise that will facilitate sleep instead of interfering with it.
Sleep Better by Shopping at Ben’s
In addition to answering the question, how does exercise help with sleep, if you want a way to reduce your stress levels and improve your sleep, saving money on the furniture you need and working out can do just that. You can find massive savings save on top-quality mattresses and bedroom furniture. Take a look at our current specials and shop online or in store today!