The three pillars of a healthy and fit lifestyle are regular exercise, a balanced and nutritious diet, as well as adequate sleep at night. Doctors and nutritionists have always been of a unanimous opinion when it comes to the benefits of a nutritious diet. However, there have often been debates about the benefits of good sleep compared to the benefits of physical activity. If you suffer from this common dilemma of whether to prioritize 8 hours of sleep over 1 hour of physical activity and exercise, then it is best to consider the following facts.
While exercise may be a requirement in the modern sedentary and urban lifestyle of most Indians, overindulgence in work can often lead to tiredness and fatigue. Most people tend to forego the benefits of good sleep in exchange for an adrenaline-pumping session of physical activity at the gym. While the effects of exercise on the body may be unparalleled, without the required 8 hours of sleep, you will not experience any muscle regeneration after an intense workout session.
The effects of exercise on the body have been well documented and proven for several years. Specifically for people with chronic conditions like Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, regular physical exercise can be highly effective in symptom management. Getting an adequate amount of sleep without any physical activity could lead to serious health complications in the form of Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity and even certain coronary heart diseases. That does not mean the benefits of physical exercise can surpass the benefits of good sleep.
Adequate amount of sleep, as well as a general physical activity both, have a positive impact on physical health. While the benefits of physical exercise include increased cardiovascular capabilities and physical fitness, the benefits of good sleep include increased physical vitality, better mental health and higher energy levels. Moreover, a minimum of 8 hours of sleep has often been deemed essential for people in competitive sports because, without proper rest, the body cannot keep up with the requirements of competitive sports. On the other hand, the effects of exercise on the body are also indispensable when it comes to maintaining good health.
The benefits of physical exercise on mental health have been avidly researched and most have concluded that physical exercise helps relieve stress and tension arising out of the monotonous pressure of daily life. Physical exercise also helps uplift mood due to the release of happy hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Therefore, it can also help to boost your self-esteem and encourage a positive and holistic outlook on life.
A healthy 8 hours of sleep, on the other hand, can help to maintain emotional and mental stability. It can be extremely helpful for people suffering from depression and anxiety as it helps to relax the mind as well as the body. Moreover, with adequate amounts of sleep, you can also see a significant improvement in your concentration power and overall mood.
To solve this common dilemma, the benefits and drawbacks of physical exercise and 8 hours of sleep need to be compared and contradicted. While the benefits of physical exercise may be important for physical fitness, it does put some physical strain and may be difficult to perform with people suffering from severe ailments. However, the benefits of good sleep can truly enhance your mental as well as physical well-being without any fatigue or extra effort.
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Therefore, it is suggested that you should try to include some exercise and quality sleep in your daily routine. Even if you do not get enough physical exercise due to unavoidable circumstances, you should never skip out on 8 hours of sleep. The duration of sleep, the routine of sleep and quality of sleep are all important for good health. Both exercise and good sleeping habits bring with them a host of health benefits and you should try and avail all of them for a happy and healthy life.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
To compete with the pace of life getting faster every year, it seems like we have forgotten to give adequate rest to our mind and body. With work and other responsibilities demanding a lot of our attention and energy, regular and healthy sleep is almost seen as an inconvenience rather than a necessity.
A recent study showed that about 53% of Indians sleep late, preferring to scroll through social media instead of getting an early night and a few others had disturbed sleep through the night. Sleep is involved in physical and mental health and sleep loss can lead to severe negative impacts on both of them.
The causes of lack of sleep are varied across individuals but a few common themes can be seen. Social media and the internet itself has become a battleground for grabbing and keeping the attention of user’s, whether it’s through algorithms or addictive apps and games. People fall into a routine of winding their day down with social media or YouTube, assuming this helps them relax before bed.
The fact is, these apps and the internet as a whole, stimulates the brain keeping it engaged and not allowing for any mental relaxation to take place. This leads to a delay of sleep, sometimes for hours on end, which of course leads to several physiological issues. Of course, there are many other causes of lack of sleep and social media/apps/the internet when used appropriately can have many benefits. It isn’t just something negative that you have to avoid all the time.
Having a newborn may also be a sweet cause of sleep loss, while other causes of lack of sleep include insomnia and anxiety, stress, depression or a change of schedule. Some diseases, medicines, sleep disorders and illnesses may also lead to improper sleep such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome. Ageing may also lead to chronic sleep loss.
Sleep Loss on a few occasions typically does not lead to any drastic effects on your mind or body, except that you might feel tired. However, the effects of sleep deprivation, especially chronically lacking sleep, can be grave and may require treatment.
Despite the issues associated with it, sleep loss can be fixed. Fixing your sleep cycle depends upon the causes of disruption of sleep. The hopeful fact is that, once your body is trained, a lot of your symptoms and issues will disappear or reduce in intensity. Getting to the point where your body is following a natural rhythm of sleep and being awake requires effort and planning.
Some home remedies include a warm bath before bed to relax you physically and loosen your muscles and joints. Additionally, you should keep your phone away whenever you get into bed, creating a separation between being on your phone and being in bed. This can train your body to accept that when you’re in bed, sleep is the goal. You can use your phone to play soft, calming music in case it helps, but set the music and leave the phone! Avoid watching any video or movie that has violent or disturbing content especially before your sleep-time.
Keep your bedroom clean, ventilated and organised, for a peaceful and relaxing environment that promotes quality sleep. Relaxation techniques and meditation can be of great help too. The temperature in your room also plays an important role in allowing you to fall asleep quickly, when your body is uncomfortable it will be really hard to fall asleep. Figure out what the best temperature for you is and do your best to keep your room within that range.
Lastly, you may want to visit a psychologist or psychiatrist, since you may have issues that require expert treatment. You may be prescribed sleeping medication, apart from any treatment for the underlying causes of your sleep loss.
From the effects sleep loss has on our body and mind, it’s clear to see that sleep is an essential and vital body function. When you lay in bed social media may be engaging or your brain may be busy reliving the busy day you’ve just been through- remember that you won’t be able to function fully the next day without a good night’s rest. If your problems persist for over a week, you should definitely seek professional help, whether a counsellor, a psychiatrist or a sleep specialist.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
