Impact of Exercise on Insomnia

How Does Physical Activity Help Treat Insomnia?

Exercise or physical activity certainly helps in cases of sleep disorders by improving and regulating the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. It does so by producing melatonin, which is a hormone known to promote sleep.

The stresses of day-to-day life make it difficult to fall asleep easily. Improving your overall mood and state of mind, exercise helps reduce stress and anxiety by calming the mind, which in turn assists the body in falling and staying asleep.

Can a Lack of Physical Activity Cause Insomnia?

Yes, a lack of exercise may lead to insomnia as melatonin production does not get a kick-start. Several studies on sleep disorders show that people who are physically less active or physically inactive are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders, including insomnia, and that exercise helps these individuals gradually improve upon the condition.

Effective Exercises for Insomnia

Moderate and low-impact physical activity or exercises of moderate intensity, such as brisk walking and swimming, have shown good results. Running and gymming help a few, but in most cases, the adrenalin produced due to high-intensity or vigorous workouts makes it difficult to fall asleep, at least until a couple of hours later.

It is important to find an activity you are comfortable with and enjoy so that it becomes a regular one. But please remember to leave at least two to three hours between the exercise routine and bedtime.

Other exercises or forms of physical activity known to help in treating sleep disorders include:

• Yoga, which is a great way to not only provide a good stretch to the body while relaxing the muscles, is also known to relax and calm the mind.
• Tai chi, which is known to gently improve balance and flexibility and to help lower stress and anxiety.
• Pilates, which is a low-impact exercise focusing on core strength and flexibility. It has been known to reduce aches and pains and improve posture,
• Stretching or assisted stretching which helps relax the muscles and enhance flexibility.

How Much Physical Activity Do You Need to Sleep Better?

How much exercise one needs is case-specific and depends on the body’s constitution and individual requirements. However, a minimum of thirty minutes of exercise at least four times a week, if not every day, is normally recommended by medical practitioners. If you are new to exercise, start slow and easy and increase pace and time gradually and steadily.

The Healers’ Clinic is one of its kind in the region, holding a pluralistic approach to overall health and wellbeing. Treatment programs at The Healers’ are an integration of traditional and modern healing methodologies. The Healers’ are experts in Detox, which facilitates the removal of toxins from the body. Alongside, they are very well known for Yoga and physiotherapy, which include assisted stretching, and for Ayurveda, a time-tested and traditional form of healing involving therapies using medicinal herbs and oils.

Ayur-Physio, a seamless blend of Ayurveda and Physiotherapy, is a unique offering of The Healers’ which has helped countless individuals across the globe, overcome a variety of disorders, including insomnia.

If you are looking for a highly experienced health partner for insomnia treatment in Dubai, please connect with The Healers’ Clinic at +971 4 38 55677.