We’ve all heard it before: the importance of getting a good night’s sleep for our overall health. You may be one of those who feel great after only seven hours, or perhaps you can still barely keep your eyes open after anything less than nine hours. This article is especially for those who fall into the latter category, as we explore how to be more productive on less sleep without negatively impacting our health.
The ideal amount of sleep varies for each person, largely because genetics play a significant role in determining our sleep requirements. However, scientists from the University of Oxford have discovered that the activities we participate in during the day can also influence how much sleep we need. Surprisingly, they found that certain activities can reduce our brain’s need for sleep, meaning more productivity during the day without jeopardizing our health or energy levels. This magical activity is none other than running.
The Oxford researchers were examining the brains of mice, comparing those that liked running spontaneously on their wheels with those that did not. They found that mice who ran required less sleep than more sedentary mice. Taking a closer look, they discovered that the brains of the running mice tended to enter a restful state even when they were awake, essentially simulating the type of rest our brains experience during deep sleep. This means that a more active lifestyle can result in a well-rested brain even with fewer hours of sleep.
Other ways to rest your brain
For those who may not enjoy running—or even if you do, but are looking for other activities to boost your brain’s well-being—there are multiple alternatives to consider. Researchers believe that any repetitive, rhythmic task with physical movement should also reduce your brain’s need for sleep. Besides running, possible exercises include:
- Power walking
- Swimming
- Cross-country skiing
- Bicycling
- Using the elliptical machine
- Rowing
- Jump roping
Each of these exercises provides mental and physical benefits, allowing your brain to rest while you stay active.
Recent studies suggest that meditation can also help the brain to achieve a restful state, potentially helping to reduce the number of hours of sleep needed each night. While it’s not fully understood why meditation produces this result, researchers theorize that it may be because the practice leads to a more restful state of mind for the brain. They believe the same may be true for repetitive, rhythmic exercise.
No matter the reason behind the link between exercise and reduced need for sleep, it’s clear that a more active lifestyle can lead to better sleep quality, increased productivity during the day, and overall health improvements. Even better, you won’t have to sacrifice your health to gain those extra hours in your day. So why not give it a try? Lace up your shoes, get your heart rate up, put your brain at rest, and start living a more productive and well-rested life with fewer hours in bed and more time dedicated to activities you love.
