Sleep or physical activity?

Dear Tired and Flabby,

Ultimately, when deciding between the two when you're exhausted, your best bet is getting some more shut-eye. But before you run yourself ragged, it seems that there are two issues here for you to consider. The first issue is getting inadequate sleep. Sleep deprivation increases your risk of developing cognitive problems, as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes. Additionally, sleep helps your body regulate its hormone levels, and by not getting enough of it, you become more susceptible to hormonal problems. The second concern for you to consider is incorporating physical activity, which could be a great way to help you get back into a healthy sleep routine. In addition, regular physical activity may help control weight, protect against certain health conditions and diseases, boost energy, improve your mood, and have a positive effect on your sex life. However, research has shown that a lack of sleep can undermine the health benefits of physical activity. So, what can you do? Read on to learn more.

First, try to focus on sleep. Have you considered why you may be experiencing bouts of insomnia? For example, have you been under any added stress or feeling anxious about something? It may be helpful to try some relaxation techniques before bed, such as listening to a guided meditation, or perhaps taking a warm bath or listening to calm music. Along with prepping your body for bed, here are some additional tips for upping your zzz score:

• Limit caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine close to your bedtime. These products have all been shown to interfere with sleep quality, which in turn may keep you awake at night. You already mentioned that you don't consume caffeine to prevent it from affecting your sleep, but if you consume alcohol or nicotine, you may want to limit it near the time you'd go to sleep.
• Limit naps to 20 to 30 minutes. Try to get your sleep at night, but, if you decide to nap during the day, keep 'em short and sweet to reduce grogginess and to maintain alertness and performance without disrupting your nighttime sleep.
• Avoid late night eating. Foods heavy in dairy and carbohydrates can lead to indigestion if consumed right before bed. 
• Keep a regular bedtime schedule, even on weekends.
• Avoid exposing yourself to blue lights right before going to bed, such as bright computer and cell phone screens, as they can suppress production of melatonin and ultimately affect sleep patterns.
• Try to make sure your bed is used only for bedtime activities — in other words, for sleep and sex only. Studying in your bed may cause your mind to associate your bed with work, thus cueing your mind to think about work instead of rest.
• Create a sleeping environment that is dark, quiet, cool, and comfortable. You may find that blackout curtains, an eye mask, a white noise machine, or earplugs are helpful for you. 
• If you can't fall asleep within twenty minutes, get out of bed and do something calming, such as reading or listening to music, until you feel more tired.
• Consider checking out the Sleep questions in the Go Ask Alice! archives for even more info!

Furthermore, it's worth noting that regular physical activity can also help improve sleep quality. Research indicates that participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can reduce the amount of time it takes for you to fall asleep, as well as reducing daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, physical activity can also indirectly improve sleep, such as by decreasing the risk for gaining excess weight. In turn, this makes an individually less likely to experience obstructive sleep apnea. However, it's key to try to finish up at least three hours before you plan to go to bed, as being active too close to your bedtime can increase your heart rate and adrenaline levels in your body, making it harder for you to fall asleep.

Additionally, you also seemed to be a bit concerned about gaining weight. It may be helpful to know that sleep can affect hormonal activity tied to appetite and therefore might have a direct impact on your ability to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Leptin (a hormone secreted by fat cells that decreases hunger) and ghrelin (a hormone secreted in the stomach that increases hunger) work like a checks and balances system in the body and control your feelings of fullness and hunger. When you don't get enough sleep, your leptin levels drop and your ghrelin levels rise. In other words, sleep deprivation makes you more likely to crave sugary, high-carb foods (thanks to higher levels of ghrelin).

The major takeaway: If you “are very tired and have been getting little sleep for several days,” your best bet is likely to hit the hay. For these reasons, it may be more helpful for you to focus on getting sleep than physical activity — at least for right now. While physical activity might help you stay toned and get back into a healthy sleeping pattern, it’s necessary to get enough sleep so you actually reap the health benefits of physical activity. So, better to catch up on those zzzs than hit the gym or walking path sleep deprived and fuzzy-eyed! If you've tried some of these tips and you're still struggling with insomnia, you may want to contact a health care provider to discern the underlying reasons behind it. Additionally, you may find it helpful to either read more about stress and time management, or reach out to a mental health professional or a health promotion specialist to develop techniques for managing your stress.

Take care,