Lack of sleep can impair memory, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity… Regular jogging can help mitigate these risks in people suffering from sleep deprivation, according to a recent study.
Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining both physical and mental health. It enhances memory, improves mood, reduces stress, boosts immunity, and aids the body in recovering after a tiring day.
Insufficient sleep can lead to numerous health issues such as insomnia, memory impairment, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and psychological disorders.
A recent study has shown that regular exercise, specifically jogging, can help eliminate the risk of early death in sleep-deprived individuals – (Photo: Runner).
Sleeping too little or too much can be associated with a shorter lifespan, but scientists have discovered that physical activity counteracts many of the negative effects of sleep deprivation.
According to a recent study from Guangzhou Medical University, China, exercising for at least 150 minutes a week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity like jogging can help eliminate the risk of early death from cancer or cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks or strokes.
Researchers examined data from over 92,000 individuals in the UK and found that those who did not get enough exercise and slept inadequately had a 69% higher risk of heart attack or stroke and a 21% greater risk of dying from cancer compared to normal individuals.
However, these risks disappeared when they engaged in moderate to high levels of exercise.
The findings of this study do not prove that exercise completely prevents the harmful effects of poor sleep, as the research data was short-term and limited to the UK, which may not represent the habits of people worldwide.
Nevertheless, the study hypothesized that exercise could help balance the impacts of poor sleep by reducing inflammation and regulating metabolic processes and sympathetic nervous system activity.
Moreover, poor sleep can contribute to increased cardiovascular disease risk, while exercise can lower blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity. Working out also stimulates the production of adenosine in the brain, helping counteract fragmented sleep.
In summary, exercise can provide numerous health benefits related to sleep and the nervous system.
Dr. Jihui Zhang, the lead researcher, stated: “Our findings suggest that health improvement efforts targeting both physical activity and sleep duration may be more effective in preventing or delaying early death in middle-aged and older adults than focusing on just one behavior.”
Clearly, adequate exercise can partially offset the adverse effects of lacking a good night’s sleep.
