All those nights you lie in bed wide awake can make you not only tired, but also fat. Beaufort fitness experts say that research by the Mayo Clinic found that insomniacs tend to consume an average of about 500 more calories the next day than those who get a good night’s sleep. Pardon the pun, but that’s a rude awakening for nearly 90 million U.S. adults who, according to this study, suffer from sleep deprivation.
This research coincides with another study released this year by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, which warns that people who suffer from insomnia at least three nights a week are 54 percent more likely to have diabetes, 98 percent more likely to have coronary artery disease, 80 percent more likely to have had a heart attack, and 102 percent more likely to have had a stroke. But it’s not all gloom and doom. If you spend your nights tossing and turning, try one of the best natural sleep inducers there is: Exercise.
There is scientific evidence suggesting that a regular exercise like a Beaufort fitness program can boost our ability to sleep longer and better, according to Beaufort personal trainers and Beaufort fitness experts referring to a research conducted at Stanford University several years ago. This research indicated that people who exercised for 30 to 40 minutes at least four days a week improved sleep quality and duration.
How can physical activity put us to sleep? Much of it can be attributed to its impact on our mental health.
Think about what factors disrupt your sleep. In many cases, excessive emotional stress is at the root of the problem. There’s abundant evidence showing that depressed people are more prone to insomnia, while happy folks sleep well.
Fortunately, Beaufort fitness programs and/or regular exercise can make a positive difference. That’s because when we work out, we raise the body’s levels of ‘feel-good’ chemicals such as endorphins dopamine, seratonin, and norepinephrine. They, in turn, help reduce anxiety and release tension, so you can fall – and stay – asleep more easily.
Here are some of EarthFIT’s ABCs to improve your ZZZs (and banish the munchies) with Beaufort fitness exercise:
Start with tension-busting moves that warm up the body and release stiffness from all the major muscle groups such as a warm up like brisk walking, jogging, Frankenstein walks, high skips, side shuffle and whatever else your Beaufort Personal trainer suggests.
Follow that with a more intense workout that includes strength training and intervals. However, keep in mind that you shouldn’t overexert yourself to the point of absolute exhaustion hoping that tiredness will make it easier to fall asleep. “Just the opposite is likely to happen. If you put too much strain on your body in the beginning, you may end up too sore and possibly injured – and that will keep you awake at night. You can increase intensity as you go.
Exercise in the morning or if you’re not a morning person, in the afternoon, three to six hours of going to bed, otherwise you might be too energized and pepped up to sleep.
Ian Hart is a Body-Mind Transformation expert, the creator of EarthFIT Training Systems, co-creator of BACK PAIN RELIEF4LIFE, and founder of BEAUFORTPERSONALTRAINING.COM and MYBACKPAINCOACH.COM. Ian and his team help people get into optimal shape in the safest, fastest and most effective way possible, using cutting edge science.