WHY DOES runningHELP YOU SLEEP BETTER?

Having a good sleep will help you improve concentration, promote your physical well-being, and strengthen the immune system. A good sleep also helps you reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, stroke, depression, inflammation, etc.

Sleep deficiency is associated with many physical and mental health consequences, namely weakened immune system, increased appetite, decreased concentration, fatigue and low energy. Furthermore, not getting enough sleep can contribute to mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and depression.

According to many studies, running will help you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper to restore the body’s health. This is very beneficial to people who have trouble sleeping or have interrupted sleep. The harder you exercise, the better your sleep quality will be. People who exercise less often tend to be suffer from sleep deficiency.

Running can also improve sleep quality, which in turn is beneficial for mental health. Sleep deficiency can lead to anxiety and depression, while some mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, can also worsen sleep problems. Running can promote better sleep at night because it expends energy and reduces cortisol, which can make you feel tired.

A 2011 study looked at data on more than 3,000 adults from the 2005 - 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to assess the relationship between physical activities and sleep. The researchers determined that participants who met the physical activity guidelines were 65 percent less likely to experience daytime fatigue than those who didn’t exercise regularly.

Additionally, a 2012 study of about 50 teenagers found that individuals who jogged for 30 minutes in the morning slept better and their mood improved after three weeks compared with those that did not go jogging. The researchers concluded that regular physical activity should be encouraged to promote quality sleep and improve health.

To improve the quality of sleep, you can practice running in the morning or in the afternoon. If you practice jogging in the evening, especially about 1 hour before going to bed, you should jog gently. Excessive physical activity in the evening will make it harder to fall asleep.