The human body is like a machine that’s produced on an assembly. All of our bodies function in much the same matter as long as we don’t have any ailments that interfere with normal body function. Keeping this in mind, we all derive the same health benefits from eating right, getting the proper amounts and kinds of exercise and developing good sleep habits.
If you think about it, all three of these things are closely intermingled as it relates to living a quality lifestyle. Since exercise and sleep are so closely related, it makes sense to have a discussion the five best types of exercises you can do for a healthy body while also helping you to sleep better.
1. Cardio Exercises
Blood is the oil that keeps the body functioning at optimum levels. The heart is the oil pump that keeps blood flowing to all necessary parts of the body. Aerobic exercises are the best exercise options for maintaining good heart health. Many of the best cardio exercise options also promote good sleep because of the unrestricted flow of oxygen to the body’s muscles and the brain. The best cardio exercises for health and sleep are running, bike riding and swimming.
2. Yoga/Relaxation Exercises
The body functions many times better in a state of calm than it does when the individual is stressed out. Yoga and meditation are great relaxation methods for calming the circulatory system and giving the mind a peaceful place to go. When it comes time to sleep, relaxation exercises can be very effective at clearing the mind of the clutter it has accumulated during the day, effectively clearing the way for sleep.
3. Strength Building Exercises
A strong body is necessary to help support the skeletal system. Strength building exercises like weight lifting, push ups and rock climbing are good ways to build muscle mass or tone existing muscles. These same kinds of exercises require a level of exertion that tires the body out. If the body is sufficiently tired, sleep is going to step in and do what it can to restore the body to normal function.
4. Breathing Exercises
Breathing plays an important role in the way our body functions. If you have the ability to control your breathing, you can extend the amount of exertion your body is capable of enduring. When it comes time to lay your head down to sleep, you ability to breath deeply and create a state of relaxation will go a long way towards helping you fall asleep faster.
5. Visualization/Concentration Exercises
Not all good exercises are physical exercises. Your mind needs a good workout as well. Both visualization and concentration exercises can benefit you buy allowing you the opportunity to remove stressful thoughts from your mind and replace them with something that gives you more pleasure. These same methods can be used at night to create thoughts that will help relax your mind and body. In such a state, you should find it easier to fall asleep. You could also benefit by the mind staying clear long enough to ensure you get the amount of sleep you want/need.
