In a world where more and more people are grappling with sleep issues and the consumption of various tranquilizers and sleeping pills is on the rise, Australian researchers have now proven that achieving healthy, quality sleep is much simpler and healthier than previously thought.
It's well-known that inadequate quality and quantity of sleep can lead to serious health problems. However, many find it challenging to experience restful, deep sleep. Researchers from the University of South Australia, however, suggest a remarkably simple method to improve sleep.
Focusing on the impact of daytime activities on sleep, the researchers conducted experiments involving 1,168 children and 1,360 adults through various simulations. Their findings revealed that physical activities ranging from moderate to vigorous during the day not only reduce tiredness but also lead to uninterrupted sleep and improved sleep quality.
Published in the Sleep Health journal, their findings emphasize that most recommendations for good sleep pertain to the period leading up to nighttime rest, such as avoiding heavy meals, alcohol, and excessive screen time a few hours before bed. However, the Australian researchers have highlighted the connection between daytime activities and various aspects of sleep, including sleep quality, efficiency, and total amount, the level of tiredness throughout the day, and even when we start to feel the need to go to bed.
The researchers offer a simple piece of advice that anyone can follow for a more restful night's sleep: be more active during the day.
As for the exact amount of sleep one needs? Science has an answer to that too.