Exercise Can Improve Sleep, But It’s A Long-Term Project

Exercise can help insomniacs fall asleep, but it’s not a fast-acting therapeutic, according to new U.S. research, and must be applied over time. The long-term study analyzed data from a 2010 clinical trial that demonstrated the ability of aerobic exercise to improve sleep, mood and vitality of 11 women ages 57 to 70. The data showed that aerobic exercise during the day did not result in improved sleep the same night among people with sleep problems. Exercise and sleep affected each other in both directions: regular long-term exercise was good for sleep but poor sleep also led to less exercise.