A new study published in the British Medical Journal has found that consistent physical exercise 2 to 3 times a week over the long term can lower the risk of insomnia. The study, conducted over 10 years and led by researchers from Reykjavik University, included 4,399 participants from 21 European countries. Participants who exercised at least twice a week for 1 hour were classified as physically active.
The study revealed that those who were consistently active were 42% less likely to have difficulty falling asleep and 22% less likely to have symptoms of insomnia. Additionally, persistently active participants were more likely to have normal sleep and less likely to experience daytime sleepiness. Those who were most active were 55% more likely to have normal sleep, 29% less likely to have short sleep, and 52% more likely to have long sleep.
The authors of the study emphasize the importance of consistency in physical activity over time for optimizing sleep duration and reducing insomnia symptoms. They recommend engaging in physical exercise regularly to improve sleep quality. This research adds to the existing evidence supporting the beneficial effects of physical exercise on insomnia symptoms and sleep quality.