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I have always been a light sleeper, waking up at the slightest sound or movement. I would often lie in bed awake for hours, unable to get back to sleep no matter how hard I tried. So when I heard about the benefits of taking a walk before bedtime, I decided to give it a try – and it worked like a charm!
Since then, my pre-bedtime routine has become an important part of getting quality shut-eye. Taking a walk not only helps me drift off into dreamland faster but also improves the quality of my slumber. Here’s why taking a stroll before going to bed is so beneficial for me and could be for you too.
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about why walking before bed is so helpful is because it has physical benefits that help me relax and fall asleep more easily. A night walk is great for my mental wellbeing. When we exercise our body releases endorphins – hormones which make us feel happy and relaxed. Exercise also increases our body temperature slightly which helps us feel tired at night time as our temperature drops naturally as we prepare for sleep. Walking also gives us time to unwind after the day’s activities – allowing us to clear our headspace thus calming our minds and making us more likely to drift off quickly once we hit the pillow.
Another great benefit of walking before bed is that it can help reduce stress levels, something that can be detrimental when trying to rest properly. Stress can be both mental and physical and regular exercise such as walking can help reduce both kinds by releasing tension built up throughout the day or week from work or other activities. It also provides an opportunity for reflection which allows us to process events from the day or worry less about things that may be causing stress in our lives overall. Taking this time out allows us to calm down mentally which makes falling asleep easier than if our mind was still racing with thoughts from earlier on in the day. It’s as effective as meditation.
In addition, studies have shown that even moderate activity like walking can improve sleep quality over time. This means that not only do I tend to fall asleep quicker but my sleep is deeper too – resulting in feeling more rested upon waking up in the morning as well as having increased energy during my daily activities afterwards. This improved quality of sleep has helped me immensely since being able to rest properly gives me greater focus during tasks throughout my day as well as improving mood overall due its effects on hormone balance.
Finally, taking walks just before bedtime gives me some much needed ‘me’ time – away from electronic screens such as phones or computers which are known disruptors of natural sleep rhythms. This break away from technology not only helps reduce stress levels (as mentioned previously) but it also prevents disruption of melatonin production caused by blue light exposure found on devices like phones. By taking this break away from digital distractions I’m able to let go any worries or cares related them while readying myself for sleep more effectively than if they had remained present just minutes prior. Besides, a night walk helps me complete the 20,000 steps I hold myself accountable for each day.
All in all, walking before bedtime has become an integral part of my nightly routine thanks its many benefits – helping me drift off into dreamland faster as well feeling more rested upon waking up each morning. The physical aspect works wonders for relaxation while providing valuable ‘me’ time away from technology; allowing better regulation of hormones plus reducing stress levels significantly. Plus now knowing how good quality slumber helps with concentration, energy levels and mood throughout each day – there really isn’t any reason not try out this simple yet effective strategy yourself!
