Sleep and exercise — along with diet — comprise the three pillars of good health and well-being
Tossing and turning? Skipping the gym? Trouble sleeping and staying asleep? Too tired to work out? No energy during the day?
You’re not alone, according to a recent study by the Better Sleep Council. The majority of U.S. adults (53 per cent) are only getting six hours of sleep or less on a typical night, and nearly half (48 per cent) say they don’t get enough sleep in general.
So why is America sleeping so poorly? The answer is bad bedroom behavior. Stress is one contributing factor, along with increased screen time, alcohol consumption, and a lack of exercise.
Regular exercise is one of the best things we can do to improve our health. But did you know that sufficient exercise is also one of the best things we can do to improve our sleep? The same study reports that eight in 10 adults (82 per cent) state that they’re less than very satisfied with the quality of their sleep and those who are dissatisfied are more likely to describe their health as poor or fair.
The power of sleep
We all know that sleep and exercise — along with diet — comprise the three pillars of good health and well-being. But did you realize that sleep is the foundation of the three pillars? Sleep sets the stage for a healthy diet and exercise. Without sufficient sleep, we’re less likely to maintain a healthy diet or weight and to get the exercise we need for optimal functioning. So, let’s look closely at the relationship between sleep and exercise. The good news is that most U.S. adults (81 per cent) take steps to help get a good night’s sleep. Adjusting tech or media use, maintaining a sleep routine, and exercising during the day are the most common steps taken.
Embracing a regular exercise routine helps us sleep and getting sufficient sleep makes us more likely to exercise.
Prioritizing sufficent sleep
We understand that motivation can be hard to come by: we feel overworked, unmotivated, tired, overscheduled, and stressed. We say that we don’t have time or are just too exhausted to think about exercising before or after a long day of work (contrary to popular belief, evening exercise isn’t a no-no), taking care of children, or any of the myriad of things that consume our daily lives. But keep in mind that adequate sleep improves mood, motivation, focus, outlook, energy levels, ability to manage our time, and overall performance — all of which contribute to plenty of willpower to get up and go! Just remember not to skimp on sleep in order to make time for exercise. With sufficient sleep, we get more done and do it better, enabling us to make time for both. Take the first step by making sufficient sleep a daily priority and talk with your health care provider about an exercise program that’s right for you. In no time, you’ll see for yourself that sleep and exercise are the perfect pair!
For more tips on a happier, healthier life and how sleep can play a major role, visit bettersleep.org and start every day with a good night’s sleep® .
