If you're experiencing problems sleeping, you may not be getting enough exercise. Both mental and physical exercises are effective ways to help you experience a deeper, more restful sleep.
For some people, exercise is enough on its own to overcome their insomnia. This is because when you exercise, you're placing extra stress on your body and, in order to compensate for this added stress, your brain dictates a greater need for deep sleep to aid in recovery. Exercise, and healthy body movements, is necessary for your overall health. If you're not getting enough you will feel the consequences and sometimes it's through insomnia. There are ways to incorporate exercise that won't overwhelm you. This way you can get healthier, prevent diseases, prevent premature aging and definitely sleep better (which will help with all your health and wellness goals.
Bright Light and Your Internal Clock
Have you ever noticed during the warmer months, when you're outside and active, you tend to get tired earlier in the evening? This is due to the extended amount of time you're exposed to sunlight and physical activity.
Exercising in a brightly lit area with a lot of sunlight increases your energy levels. Also, increasing your exposure to sunlight helps control your body temperature rhythms that regulate sleep.
What Are the Best Exercises for Fighting Insomnia?
Almost any physical activity can help you combat insomnia. However, there are a few particular exercises that seem to work better than others.
Here's just a sampling of exercises to overcome insomnia:
Treadmill - Best when used next to an open window with plenty of sunlight pouring in
Bicycling - The movement and constant concentration needed are especially effective.
Stationary Bike -Not as effective as a real bicycle, but works great on rainy days
Jump Rope - A good exercise to do that's stationary and requires little equipment
Dancing - One of the most enjoyable ways to get exercise
Walking & Jogging Outside - This is probably the easiest way to get exercise, exposure to sunlight and beat insomnia.
What Time is the Most Effective?
The best time to exercise is about 4 - 6 hours before bedtime.
If you exercise just before you retire for the night, your body won't have enough time to cool down properly.
This can make it harder to get to sleep. Remember that you should avoid caffeine or eat late, as well.
Get Your Mind Active, Too!
When you exercise your body and mind at the same time, you'll notice you'll get a deeper and more fulfilling night's sleep.
It's very easy to exercise your mind while you're involved in physical activity.
Some ways to do this while you're exercising are:
Doing simple math problems in your head
Reciting something you need to remember
Listening to an audiobook or podcast
Reading a book, newspaper or magazine
Avoid doing the same exercises every day.
Mix things up so your activities keep your body and mind fresh and active. Monotony causes the effectiveness of the activities, both physical and mental, to wane.
You may also want to keep a journal of your exercise activities and your sleeping hours. Once in a while, you can analyze what combination of exercises - both mental and physical - gave you the best sleep results. And once you're equipped with this newfound knowledge, you can create a custom workout, which will improve your health and help you beat the insomnia bug for good!
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How are sleep and dreams connected to all of this?
Sleep and dreams are a gateway to other states of consciousness. In dreams, our soul calls us. If we choose to pay attention, this is where we can spark or elevate our spiritual awakening and overall health. We can connect to a greater place of knowledge than we do in waking life alone. The ego takes a back seat and our higher self speaks from a place of truth via symbols, whether you remember or not.
Wishing You Wholeness
Diana Navarro, Empath, with Non-24
~M.S.in Industrial/Organizational Psychology,
~Certified Sleep Science Coach,
~Interior Designer, Dip.Int.Des.
~Certified in Content Management
~Feng Shui Consultant
I sometimes share links with my valued readers I believe adds quality and value to you. I may get a small affiliate payment for anything sold on some links on Amazon or Google Ads. These are items or products I may use myself and vouch for. I may earn some coffee or chocolate money I'll ingest while writing these posts for you.
There are Many Timely Resources Available
You don't have to go at it alone or get overwhelmed. This site is one option. You can check my book Your sleep Sweet Spot for comprehensive yet easy-to-follow sleep ritual advice and also personal sessions and courses on many relevant topics, including space design to increase your overall wellness.
Check the Wellness Shop to see what tools, products, and services you can use for immediate improvement.
Diana Navarro and This Is Diana accepts no liability and/or responsibility for any actions and/or decisions any client/reader chooses to take or make based on his/her information provided here.
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