Exercise is great for Insomnia

You’ve might have tried everything from taking caffeine out of your diet, to taking the television out of your room. Still, nothing works for you. You might have even tried sleeping pills, but that hardly seems like a long-term solution. However, maybe there is something you have thought about, but still haven’t tried. You know what I am talking about. It’s exercise!

Because of experience, I can tell you that the first thing you will benefit from exercise is a more sound sleep. From a scientific point of view, it has been proven that exercise greatly enhances sleep. One study at Stanford University Medical School found that with moderate intensity exercise, you can fall asleep 15 minutes faster and for 45 minutes longer.

Here are a few of the reasons why:

Increased levels of endorphins: These feel good endorphins can only be stimulated by regular exercises.

 

Improved oxygen to the brain: With regular exercise, your body develops the ability to carry oxygen and nutrients better.

Greater hormone and neural balance: Many hormones, the nervous system, and other parts of your body are affected by stress, which can cause insomnia. By placing physical stress on the body, it releases and reverses many of the negative impacts of bad stress.

Decreased body fat: It is true that if you have a high body fat percentage, you are more likely not to rest well. This is because the body fat is taxing on the heart and lungs. The less body fat you have, the easier it is to breathe; therefore, less likely to develop sleep apnea.

If your excuse not to exercise is not enough time, consider this, by placing the time to do it you have more sound sleep. When you rest better, you take less time doing things that once took longer because you were not well rested. 

written by
Kelly Huggins

Exer. Sci., B.S., Georgia State University

FT Fitness/Nutrition Coach