The Surprising Benefits of Exercise for Better Sleep

Are you trying to figure out if you should prioritize exercise or sleep? While it's best to get both, a new study suggests that the benefits of exercise could help counteract the health consequences of not getting enough sleep.

This study builds upon a large body of work showing how critical both sleep and fitness are for overall health. So, let's dive into the details and explore how exercise and sleep affect your health.

---

Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation can cause various health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even early death.

It can also affect your mental health, causing mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. Sleep deprivation can make you feel sluggish and unable to perform at your best.

Additionally, it can affect concentration, attention, memory, and response time, which can affect performance in daily tasks as well as at work and school.

---

Signs of Sleep Deprivation

If you are getting less than seven hours of sleep per night, you might be sleep deprived. Signs of sleep deprivation include trouble falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, feeling tired during the day, and having difficulty concentrating.

---

Benefits of Exercise

The benefits of exercise are not only great for your physical health but also your mental health. It can improve your mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and boost your self-esteem.

Benefits of Exercise for Sleep: Exercise improves sleep quality. (Image via pexels/Ketut Subiyanto)

Regular exercise can also reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Exercise can boost energy levels by improving circulation and oxygen supply to the body. And, most importantly, it can improve the quality and duration of sleep

---

Exercise and Sleep

A new study conducted in the United Kingdom found that completing 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity every week might mitigate some of the health consequences associated with sleeping too much or too little.

This means that even if you only sleep less than six hours each night, exercising could potentially help counteract the negative effects.

---

Tips to Sleep Better

If you're struggling to sleep, try to establish a consistent sleep schedule, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and create a comfortable sleep environment.

You can also try meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques to calm your mind before sleep.

---

Final Thoughts

Both exercise and sleep are crucial for overall health. While it's best to get both ample exercise and ample sleep, the new study suggests that exercise could help counteract the health consequences of not getting enough sleep.

Benefits of Exercise for Sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of health problems (Image via pexels/Cottonbro Studio)

So, don't sacrifice rest for exercise, but rather schedule a time to get moderate or vigorous physical activity. Remember that everyone's sleep needs are different, and it's essential to listen to your body and prioritize rest when necessary.