Did you know that as per National Sleep Foundation, regular exercise can help reduce sleep-related problems? Yes, you’re reading it right! Well, are you someone willing to know more about how physical activity and sleep are interconnected? If so, give this blog a read! 

We all know that exercise is beneficial for overall well-being. This means, even 15 minutes of daily exercise can affect your health positively. Be it improving your mood, reducing stress or alleviating the risk of any other serious diseases. And among the best benefits of regular physical activity is improving your sleep quality. After all, a good night’s sleep is necessary to stay active throughout the day, right? But how is that really possible? 

Go on reading and find out! 

Does Physical Activity Influence How Well You Sleep

Indeed, the relationship between sleep and physical activity is positive. It’s like when you move your body during the day, it helps to tire out your muscles. This way, you burn off extra energy. And so, it becomes easier for you to fall asleep at night and stay asleep.

Then, regular exercise helps to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Now, it is quite evident that stress often keeps people awake at night. When you’re less stressed, your body and mind can relax more easily, leading to better sleep.

But here’s the major thing you must know- the timing of your exercise matters. For example, if you’re doing tough exercises too close to bedtime, you may find it hard to fall asleep. It happens because it gets your heart pumping and energizes your body. Thus, it’s best to do your workouts earlier in the day. 

Which Type of Physical Activity Helps You Sleep Better

In this section, you’ll get into the types of physical activity. 

  • One of the best types is aerobic exercise. It includes things such as walking, jogging, swimming and more. These exercises get your heart pumping and your lungs working. Furthermore, it also helps to reduce stress and anxiety. 
  • Then comes strength training like lifting weights. This kind of exercise helps to build muscle and improve your overall fitness. Plus, having more muscle can help you feel stronger and more confident during the day.
  • Last but not least, yoga and stretching exercises can also be helpful for sleep. Obviously, they focus on relaxing your body and calming your mind. 

So, no matter if you’re going for a walk, lifting weights, or practising yoga, staying active during the day can improve your sleep at night. 

Other Significant Health Benefits of Physical Activities & Sleep

Let’s finally read about other benefits of sleep and the importance of physical activity. After all, there are many, apart from improving sleep quality. 

Firstly, here are some other health benefits of daily physical activity. 

  • Regular exercise can boost your mood. It happens as exercise triggers the release of endorphins in your body. These are feel-good chemicals. So, this way, your stress and anxiety are reduced. 
  • Then, it helps strengthen your bones and muscles.
  • It also lowers the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and more. 

Getting enough sleep is also crucial for health. Here’s how. 

  • Good sleep supports immune function. This means, your body then fights easily with infections and illnesses. 
  • It plays a key role in cognitive function as well. 
  • Lastly, lack of sleep is linked to poor decision-making skills. 

The best part is, both physical activity and sleep contribute to maintaining a healthy weight. 4

Read More: Overeating: How Can It Be Harmful For You

Conclusion

So, now that you know how physical activity and sleep are closely associated, it’s high time to pay attention to both in your daily lives. Make sure you’re engaging your body in regular physical activities. Apart from that, make a healthy sleep schedule for yourself and that’s all. Hope this article helps.