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DEL.ICIO.USExercise vs. Insomnia, You Decide
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the changing of the seasons, there is the dreaded changing of the time. Though we fall back one hour, this usually causes more sleeplessness than the “gaining an hour” ideology.
Without the time changing though, you still might be suffering from insomnia anyway. 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 fast and for 45 minutes longer.
Here are some 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.
- Overall stress reliever. 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.
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. So, once again, you have one more reason to eat right and exercise.
Have you experienced more productive sleep because of exercise? Please share.
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By Charles
November 27, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
Exercise is always good for the spirit, mind, and body; but we should be ever mindful of the words Saint Augustine.
A soul is restless until it finds rest in thee, oh God.
By sansho1
November 27, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
Way to kill a thread before it starts, Charles.
As someone prone to bursts of exercise and bouts of inactivity, I can heartily attest to the sleep benefit of exercise. When I’m not exercising, I wake up in the middle of the night, often repeatedly. I find that I can usually guess about what time it is, because I remain minimally aware of the passage of time.
On the other hand, when I’ve been exercising, I’m often shocked to discover upon waking that I’ve slept through the night, and very deeply.
By muffin
November 27, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
LOL at sansho’s comment about charles. i totally agree. 8:34 a.m. on a tuesday is not when i’m quite ready to start hearing bible passages or whatever. my name makes me hungry.
By Kat
November 27, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
I joined a gym in May for the first time ever. I’ve lost 33 lbs. and have noticed all kinds of benefits, but the one that has helped the most, hands down, is that I sleep better. Before, I was waking up 3 or 4 times a night. I wasn’t uncomfortable, didn’t need to get up, no barking dog in the neighborhood waking me up, I’d just realize I was awake and it was still the middle of the night. That makes you feel groggy all of the next day. Since I started working out (I go nearly every weeknight after work) the night waking has stopped entirely. I feel ten years younger.
By BlackGirl
November 27, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
Thank you Charles…enough said.
By Charles
November 27, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
There are countless millions of athletes and citizens in the United States of America who exercise daily but can’t find rest, sleep. They rely on sominex and every kind of sedative known to man in their fruitless attempt; but nothing seems to suffice. Ask your local doctor.
Those of you who find rest/sleep through exercise should count your blessings. That is not the norm.
Exercise is good for the spirit, mind, and body. But a soul is restless until it finds rest in thee, oh God.