Does Exercise •Really• Help With Sleep?

This week I've upped my training for the GB row, and I've definitely seen an increase in night-time waking. Could more exercise be to blame?

In this video I explain why we usually think about exercise as being good for sleep, and explain the mechanisms behind that.

In this video I explain why we usually think about exercise as being good for sleep, and explain the most likely mechanisms. I also explain why professional athletes often struggle with sleep. Crucially, being physically fit doesn't make you immune to insomnia. In fact, excessive exercise - overtraining - is often characterised by sleep problems.

If you'd like to learn more, here's a link to one of the key reference papers by Neil Walsh & colleagues:

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2020/11/03/bjsports-2020-102025.full.pdf

I mention the GB row! I'm raising money for the British Heart Foundation. If you have some spare change to donate I would be incredibly grateful. I'll be setting off on the 13th June 2021: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/SophieRows