Get active for a better night’s sleep

Ugh, exercise.

Of course you’ve heard over and over how important it is for your overall health. But let’s be honest, it can be a challenge to fit in a workout within our busy, on-the-go lives, not to mention that the thought of getting active makes you want to fall asleep right now.

No matter how many times you’ve heard over and over from your doctor, here it is again: failing to be active in your daily life can have negative consequences on your overall health. More specifically, this can lead to sleep disorders –like sleep apnea – and for most adults, can cause chronic insomnia. 

Sleep problems affect millions of adults and about 50% of adults complain of chronic insomnia, according to a research study done at Northwestern University. Insomnia in never any fun to deal with, and the reality is that it will get worse as we get older. This is why it is important to get active now.

The benefits of a great workout are endless. They include speeding up your metabolism and making you more alert and energised for the day. But you don’t been to become a gym rat in order to stay healthy. Here are some tips for staying active for a better sleep:

• Exercise earlier in the day. You’ll feel refreshed as you start your daily routine and you won’t be as wound up when you go to sleep
• If you have to leave the workout until later in the day, the Mayo Clinic suggests that you do not exercise within 3 hours before you go to bed in order to allow your body temperature to cool down for sleeping
• Keep it simple. “Exercise” doesn’t necessarily have to be a daily 90 minute sweat session at the gym (unless you’re into that of course). Simply taking the dog on a long walk as you rise can do wonders for your overall health.
• Get other people involved! Take your partner or a friend with you as you go for a walk or run, or organise a team sport with a bunch of colleagues. This makes exercise a lot easier (and more fun) when you have something to look forward to

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20100917/exercise-helps-you-sleep