Exercise to Improve Sleep

Are you a fitful sleeper? Research shows that as little as 10 minutes of exercise a day can improve your sleep habits.

Poor sleep is a common complaint--especially in a world with non-stop screens, constant stress, and overwhelming pressure to worry about ALL THE THINGS.

Whether you have a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep, sleep issues are frustrating and have a ripple effect on the rest of your life. Poor sleep can negatively impact your mood, your productivity, your appetite, your energy, and your ability to manage stress.

While some sleep problems need professional help, others can be cured with an easily accessible tool: exercise!

Studies show that people who exercise four days per week report improved sleep quality, longer sleep, and less time falling asleep. While the National Sleep Foundation suggests that you finish your workout at least three hours before going to bed, its polls say exercisers were significantly more likely to report having a good night’s sleep than their non-exercising counterparts.

If you currently do not exercise, this is yet another reason to start! Max Hirshkowitz, chairman of the National Sleep Foundation’s study, claims that just starting with a ten minute walk every day could help improve your sleep. So you don’t even have to carve out a couple hours to go to the gym to see results! Start small and work your way up to more intense workouts. Small changes can make a big difference!

Sources:

"Fitness Tips." Work-Life. Columbia University, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2013.

Nauert, Rick. "Even A Little Exercise Can Improve Sleep." Psych Central. N.p., 5 Mar. 2013. Web. 27 Apr. 2013.