Having trouble sleeping? No matter what the reason, studies have shown that increasing your daily physical activity can help you sleep better at night. While some people find that adding regular exercise to their daily routine is enough to improve the quantity and quality of their sleep, others find that they need to make multiple changes to make their sleep better. Bored with taekwondo classes in Raleigh NC? Call Gracie Raleigh to try something new. We offer awesome martial arts classes, including BJJ and muay thai.
Why does exercising encourage your body to sleep better? When you exercise, your body undergoes beneficial stress that forces your brain to compensate by increasing the amount of time you engage in deep sleep. Also, exercise causes your body temperature to rise and then fall. For every degree your body temperature increases, it will fall several hours later. The drop in body temperature helps your body fall asleep and stay asleep easier.
Exercising in the late afternoon or early evening is best for those who are hoping to combat their insomnia with physical activity. Avoid exercising late in the evening because your body will not have enough time to cool down and this can cause you to have difficulty falling asleep. If you must exercise late in the evening, choose a light activity like a short walk or yoga. Experts suggest that to get the maximum sleep benefit, you should exercise three to six hours before bed.
Finding the motivation to exercise when you are not sleeping well can be tricky. However, knowing that exercising can help you sleep better may be a powerful motivator. Changing up the type of exercise that you do and avoiding falling into a rut with your exercise can also help keep you motivated. Over time your body will become used to the same routine and will no longer be as stimulated as if you vary your exercises.
Stanford University researchers found that participants aged 55 – 75 who had insomnia but were not regularly active reported falling asleep 50 percent faster when they exercised moderately for 20 – 30 minutes every other day. Exercise sessions took place in the afternoon and in addition to falling asleep faster, the study group also slept one hour longer than those who did not exercise.
How do martial arts tie into better sleep? Tai chi was found to improve sleep in a study conducted by the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Practicing just 20 tai chi moves for 25 weeks led the control group to experience fewer awakenings during the evening, faster to sleep times, and feelings of better rest. Adults aged 59 to 86 took part in this study, proving that martial arts have benefits for people of all ages.
Fun A Fun Alternative To Taekwondo Classes in Raleigh, Call Gracie
If you’re looking for a way to improve your sleep in the new year or someone you love is struggling to achieve quality sleep, then mixed martial arts may be the answer. With free classes for beginners and a wide range of class times, finding a class that works for your schedule has never been easier.
Getting the family involved in martial arts not only promotes better sleep but helps teach discipline, maintain your weight and improve your strength and flexibility. Ready to start classes? Call or come by the gym and learn more abut why Gracie Raleigh is the premier place to study multiple martial art disciplines in the Raleigh area.