Run … away from insomnia

UF Health Podcasts

Tossing and turning. Watching the clock with dread as another minute ticks by. Feeling helpless thinking about how tired you will be the next day.

Insomnia is a burden carried by about 30% of adults in the United States. That’s nearly one-third of the country operating at a sleep deficit.

Of course, insomnia can cause a wide range of serious health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, heart attack, stroke and hypertension. Insomnia can also hinder one’s ability to learn, focus and adapt.

While a one-size-fits-all solution for insomnia has yet to be discovered, researchers continue to find ways to help those who are sleep-challenged.

Based on evidence in a new study, scientists say exercise — specifically, consistency of exercise over time — may be one of the best treatments for insomnia. The study, based out of Reykjavík University in Iceland, looked at exercise and sleep data for more than 4,300 adults over a 10-year period.

Study participants ages 39 to 67 who were consistently active were 55% more likely to be deemed normal sleepers — which means getting between six and nine hours of sleep each night. Participants who became active during the study were 21% more likely to be normal sleepers. The study adjusted for certain factors like age, sex, body mass index and smoking history.

Experts say you don’t have to become a fitness guru. Any amount of exercise is helpful, even if it’s a quick walk around the block. The important thing is just to start. And once you’ve started, stick with it.

If you’ve given up on counting sheep and are looking for a healthy, natural way to improve your sleep routine — get active.