With the Olympics now underway there’ll be a fair share of sleepless nights as we catch up on all the action.
While we certainly don’t advocate staying up late every night to watch your favourite athlete, the Olympics might just be that little bit of inspiration you need to help you start that exercise routine.
We know that exercise has many benefits; sleeping better is definitely one of them.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to be an Olympian to feel the benefits of a good night’s sleep!
The Benefits of Exercise for Sleep
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that…
Exercise improves sleep quality, mood, and quality of life among older adults with insomnia.
We also know that lack of sleep affects our health, mood and general wellbeing; indeed it puts us at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
Exercise can people enjoy a better quality of sleep and it lowers body temperature which helps induce better sleep.
Research shows that people who exercise regularly have a lower risk of many chronic diseases, and its benefits include better self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy.
Indeed, studies show that exercise can reduce the risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
So How Much Exercise is the Right Amount?
The Sleep Council has produced the following tips on how to introduce exercise into your daily routine.
Don’t overdo it. Wearing yourself out physically is not particularly likely to induce sleepiness. In fact it can be counter-productive and lead to wakefulness and alertness when trying to sleep.
Though it’s widely believed that working out too close to bedtime can disturb sleep, there isn’t evidence that backs this argument, so it’s better to exercise in the evening than not at all.
The important thing is to exercise because it makes you feel fitter and better, and if you are experiencing sleeping difficulties, the more you exercise, the more likely you are to improve your sleeping patterns.
What to do next?
At Dalzell’s we take your sleep needs seriously. Our sleep accredited staff are on-hand to advise, so give us a Call, email or visit instore today. Based in Newry, we’re a short drive from the M1 and accessible to both Belfast and Dublin.
With over 500 beds and mattresses in stock, including leading brands Relyon, Staples, King Koil, Respa and Kaymed we also provide Free Delivery and Free Collection and Recycling of Your Old Bed throughout Northern Ireland and Counties Louth, Monaghan and Dublin. We’ll unpack and set up your New Divan Bed in a room of your choosing and dispose of all the packaging.
*Delivery throughout the rest of Ireland available at Highly Competitive Rates.
