Everyone has
those days where you feel like you are one with your mattress. Finding the
energy and motivation to get up and get going for the day can be hard. Did you
know that exercise can actually help lift your spirits, help you get more
sleep, and have more energy?
those days where you feel like you are one with your mattress. Finding the
energy and motivation to get up and get going for the day can be hard. Did you
know that exercise can actually help lift your spirits, help you get more
sleep, and have more energy?
You just have to get up and go!
Exercise has
a multitude of benefits for your physical health but many don’t realize that
exercise is an excellent tool to improve your cognitive and mental health. This
is important for people of all ages. “One study examined over 10,000 Harvard
University alumni over the course of over 20 years and found that rates of
depression over time were linked to the amount of physical activity that these
alumni reported. Likewise, in a study of adolescents, 16% of those who were not
physically active developed an anxiety disorder over a 4-year period, compared
to half that rate among those whose who exercised regularly (Otto & Smits,
2011).”
a multitude of benefits for your physical health but many don’t realize that
exercise is an excellent tool to improve your cognitive and mental health. This
is important for people of all ages. “One study examined over 10,000 Harvard
University alumni over the course of over 20 years and found that rates of
depression over time were linked to the amount of physical activity that these
alumni reported. Likewise, in a study of adolescents, 16% of those who were not
physically active developed an anxiety disorder over a 4-year period, compared
to half that rate among those whose who exercised regularly (Otto & Smits,
2011).”
In addition
to exercise improving mood, exercise can improve the overall quality of sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation recently found that regular exercise can improve
sleep quality by up to 65%. There are also benefits to less leg cramps and
increased concentration during the day just by exercising regularly (National
Sleep Foundation, 2015). “Our findings demonstrate a link between regular
physical activity and perceptions of sleepiness during the day, which suggests
that participation in physical activity on a regular basis may positively influence
an individual’s productivity at work, or in the case of a student, influence
their ability to pay attention in class (National Sleep Foundation, 2015).”
These findings are based off of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Guidelines for Physical Activity. Too much exercise can have the reverse effect
so don’t over train!
to exercise improving mood, exercise can improve the overall quality of sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation recently found that regular exercise can improve
sleep quality by up to 65%. There are also benefits to less leg cramps and
increased concentration during the day just by exercising regularly (National
Sleep Foundation, 2015). “Our findings demonstrate a link between regular
physical activity and perceptions of sleepiness during the day, which suggests
that participation in physical activity on a regular basis may positively influence
an individual’s productivity at work, or in the case of a student, influence
their ability to pay attention in class (National Sleep Foundation, 2015).”
These findings are based off of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Guidelines for Physical Activity. Too much exercise can have the reverse effect
so don’t over train!
What does
all this mean?
all this mean?
Essentially, by exercising you can be in a better mood, feel
more awake, and sleep better at night. This is in addition to improving your
physical health as well. Make sure you keep moving- your body and your mind
will thank you!
more awake, and sleep better at night. This is in addition to improving your
physical health as well. Make sure you keep moving- your body and your mind
will thank you!
Blog post by
Nikki Courtney.
Nikki Courtney.
Reference
National
Sleep Foundation. (2015). Study: Physical
activity impacts overall quality of sleep. Retrieved from
https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/study-physical-activity-impacts-overall-quality-sleep
Sleep Foundation. (2015). Study: Physical
activity impacts overall quality of sleep. Retrieved from
https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/study-physical-activity-impacts-overall-quality-sleep
Otto, M.,
& Smits, J. (2011). Exercise for mood
and anxiety proven strategies for overcoming depression and enhancing
well-being. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
& Smits, J. (2011). Exercise for mood
and anxiety proven strategies for overcoming depression and enhancing
well-being. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
