Morning exercise can help us workout consistently, take care of our hearts, make us smarter and curb cravings. But who would’ve thought that it impacts sleep and energy. Here’s how it works.
More sleep:
It seems counter-intuitive to think that getting up early to work out would actually help us get more sleep. But this might actually be the case. Studies are pointing to the possibility that morning exercise may, in fact, improve your sleep habits, which, in turn, could help promote weight loss.
Those with the stick-to-itiveness to maintain morning exercise routines may really sleep better than those who don’t. According to Dr. Cedric Bryant, chief science officer with the American Council on Exercise, “if you have poor quality sleep, it influences certain hormones that control appetite. It is possible that by exercising in the morning — instead of evening – the exercise affects the body’s circadian rhythm (your internal body clock) so you get better-quality sleep. Good sleep helps control the hormonal balance that helps control appetite.”
Researchers have known for years that adults who get less than five or six hours of sleep per night are more likely to be overweight. And a recent study found that “losing just a few hours of sleep a few nights in a row can lead to almost immediate weight gain.”
On top of all of this, cognitive abilities like creativity, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and memory could be greatly compromised by lack of sleep. So get up, get moving… and get more sleep!
More energy:
Last but not certainly not least, early-in-the-day workouts could give you the energy to help you through even the busiest days.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic claim that “regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance… deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy.” This increase in energy is due to the fact that physical fitness promotes the release of compounds like endorphins that improve mood and increase vigor.
So get up early and get moving! It will improve your life in more ways than one.