Students, young mothers and fathers, working under stress… There are many people who can relate to more than one bad night sleep, with everything that means the rest of the day. When we don’t sleep well, we spend the rest of the day tired, irritable, and have more difficulty solving cognitive problems. Something completely counterproductive if we have to study, work or care for a newborn baby. Ideally, whenever possible (more difficult with a baby), find a way to get at least 7 hours of sleep, either by improving sleep hygiene or, if necessary, using medicine. But if you haven’t achieved this yet or it was just a one-time night, you can turn to trick after insomniawhich will help you recover from a bad night.
This trick was discovered by a group of scientists from University of Portsmouththe results of which can be read in the study Physiology and behavior. In it they showed that just 20 minutes on an exercise bike improve brain function in people subjected to sleep deprivation, both normally and under hypoxic conditions, with low oxygen levels.
Hypoxia was also analyzed to take into account cases where Height above sea level This is what prevents you from sleeping. For example, this would be the case with climbers. This trick would be useful for them after insomnia, although not on an exercise bike; Well, logically, they won’t be able to carry it up the mountain. Other moderate aerobic exercise may help. This also applies to people traveling by plane. If you’re unable to sleep during your flight abroad, it’s best to catch up once you land. But what is all this about?
Science to help you get rid of insomnia
Exercise is known to have many benefits at the brain level. Previous studies have shown that physical activity improves cognitive function, memory, efficiency and attention, and prevents cognitive decline. On the other hand, by increasing serotonin levels, it helps improve mood.
Memory, cognitive function and mood change. after a sleepless night. So these scientists thought that a little exercise might be a good remedy for insomnia.
To test this, they hired 24 volunteers, which were divided into two groups. In the first they spent three nights with partial sleep deprivation, and in the second only one, but with total sleep deprivation and hypoxic conditionsas if someone experienced it at high altitude.
Once this first part was completed, their cognitive functions were analyzed without any action, and after pedal 20 minutes on a stationary bike. Exercise significantly improved results cognitive tests did, so it seemed they were right.
Many hypotheses, but nothing definite
These scientists believe that the good results of their insomnia trick may be due to the fact that physical exercise provides extra oxygen to the brain, which can be very helpful in improving cognitive skills impaired due to lack of sleep. It is logical that this would be especially useful under hypoxic conditions, but this applies to all groups.
They also believe that changes may occur in the levels of some of the hormones that regulate the brain and that it can improve cognitive function. But nothing is clear.
More research is needed to clarify the reasons for their results. But at least we know that only 20 minutes of exercise bike They can help us better face the day after a sleepless night. Not everything in this life will be coffee.
Source: Hiper Textual
