Does Exercise Help Sleep?

Exercise is good for you -right? Well actually exercise for sleep is right and wrong.

If you exercise vigorously in the evening before bed then sleep can actually be harder to get than normal.

If your body is in the early recovery phase of a workout then it is in a mini-crisis. It's repairing damaged tissue, it's sweating to try and cool you down. Also other endocrinalogical systems are working at full rate e.g. your Adrenaline levels will be raised and so your body and brain are super alert and nothing you can do will calm them except giving your body comfort and time.

    Gently does it before bed.

Light Aerobic activity is the secret.

It has been discovered that light Aerobic exercise late in the afternoon or early evening helps us get to sleep quickly and soundly.

Go for a brisk 15 minute walk or even do some exercise in front of the TV so that your heart rates goes up a little and you breath faster for 15 minutes.

There's no need to overdo it but a little is an easy way to help your body know that it needs rest and its relaxation will help the mind to settle too.

Hope this helps -Steph

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