OK, who hasn’t heard that exercise is good for your health? But, did you know that exercise increases your chances of good shut-eye by 50%? According to a research article titled, Effects of Exercise on Sleep, the author notes that compared to all other daytime activities not one is more associated with better sleep than exercise.

In 2013, the National Sleep Foundation did a poll and found that 83% of Americans who reported being vigorous exercisers (runners, competitive sports) reported they sleep “very good/fairly good” on the survey. Moderate exercisers (yoga, weight lifting) reported 77% while Light Activity folks (walking) came in at 76%. The No Physical Activity people came in last at 56%. Some other interesting facts include:

• In all categories, the number of hours of sleep needed a night to “function” the next day was roughly seven hours and 10 minutes to seven hours and 28 minutes of sleep a night.
• Regardless of exercise level, about one-half (51%) see their sleep as improving on days they exercise.
• Vigorous exercisers are more likely to report in a two-week span, they rarely or never experienced sleep problems (waking up at night, waking up feeling unrefreshed, or having trouble falling asleep).
• The proportion of non-exercisers who report worse sleep and health is significantly larger than all other exercise levels at 30%
• Non-exercisers consume on average 5.0 caffeinated beverages, much more than their exercising counterparts; and roughly one-third of non-exercisers report needing to take medicine to help them sleep.

So if you want to have more enthusiasm without needing caffeine or medicine, improve your over-all quality of your sleep, increase the number of hours you sleep a night, or avoid sleep problems altogether, strap on those running shoes and hit the pavement.

For those road-warriors out there who are already on a steady exercise plan, keep up the good work and hit the pillow knowing you are on your way to sweet dreams.

For the rest of us who need to develop and remain on a steady exercise regiment, Dr. Peter Nassar recommends talking with a physician before you get started and plan to start slow. The professionals at Jacksonville Sleep Center are ready to help you get moving in the right direction.

In our next blog, we’ll explore how exercise and sleep affects our moods and our family, work and social lives. Until then, let’s get moving!