Exercise, Sleep And Wellbeing
Exercise and wellbeing
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that exercise is good for you but here are some extra benefits.
Research has found that increased activity protects against anxiety disorders (and that there is a link between suicidal ideation and sedentary behaviour).
We know that our mood can be improved with exercise which protects against physiological changes that occur with low mood, including higher levels of inflammation and pain.
Think about your kids too. Even just one hour of light activity such as a walk with friends can reduce depression by 8-11% in 12-year-olds.
Sleep and wellbeing
We think sleep is restful, which it is for our bodies but we have intense brain activity during sleep.
Sleep is important to maintain health through the regulation of our body clock (circadian) and pressure threshold (homeostatic). Unfortunately, society influences good quality sleep (‘I’ll sleep once I’m dead’ attitude!), artificial light, social media before bed etc.
Poor sleep can impact;
Our weight; due to changes in hormones that signal for hunger and for fullness-double whammy!
Our immune response
Our metabolic regulation
Performance, productivity, decision making. Sleep deprivation=driving drunk
Language acquisition in children
Higher type 2 diabetes rate in people with poor sleep
Things to think about?
Remember that alcohol doesn’t help us to sleep as it is more broken and less quality REM
Consider that coffee has an afterlife of 6 hours so it affects sleep, doesn’t help decision-making and actually increases risk-taking
Studies have found a 26-minute nap can help
Review your medication as it can interfere
18 degrees optimum sleep hygiene