How Are Sleep and Exercise Connected?
Sleep is one of the pillars of good health. Getting enough quality sleep has been linked with a healthy heart, glowing skin and healthy weight. Not getting enough quality sleep over time can increase your risk of chronic disease, including diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and poor mental health. While getting a good night’s sleep can be easier said than done, a new study published in Epidemiology might have at least one answer for getting more restful shut-eye.
How Was the Study Conducted? Researchers drew their data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey, an international, population-based, multi-center cohort study of asthma and allergic disease, which was first carried out in 1990. The surveys used for this study spanned 10 years. The researchers were looking for correlations between physical activity and insomnia, sleep time and daytime sleepiness.
There were 4,339 participants, and about half were male and half were female. Participants filled out the survey, which included questions on lifestyle, respiratory symptoms, smoking history and general health. Their height and weight were also measured and BMI was calculated.
Excerpted from Eating Well
