Archived Questions
Question of the Week - May 20, 2002
Does exercise help one sleep better at night?
Sylvia
Answer to the Question of the Week
Sylvia,
Exercise can have positive effects on a person's subjective sleep quality. This is most likely because exercise may help to reduce stress and simply makes one feel better. However, the timing of vigorous activity is an important factor. Most people should avoid exercise for at least three hours prior to their bedtime because this may cause physiological arousal that precludes sleep. In the period just prior to bedtime, some forms of inactivity, especially lying in a warm bath, can be relaxing and very conducive to sleep.
Exercise is key for obese patients who suffer from sleep apnea because often their condition can improve with weight loss. Improvement of obstructive sleep apnea results in sleep that is less disrupted. For these individuals, exercise may have long term benefits in improving sleep quality when combined with an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
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