Gentle exercises like yoga, tai chi, and walking may help people sleep better. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects nearly 15% of American adults each month.
Research published in the BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine journal analyzed 22 studies involving over 1,300 patients. The study found that cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard for insomnia treatment, but yoga, tai chi, and walking are also effective.
Yoga improved total sleep time by nearly two hours, while a combination of cardiovascular activities helped people fall asleep faster. Tai chi and cognitive behavioral therapy showed benefits for up to two years, whereas aerobic activity paired with strength exercises lasted up to seven months.
The study suggests that gentle workouts like yoga, tai chi, and walking have minimal side effects and can be done by most people. The research shows people of all ages and genders can benefit from exercise in aiding sleep.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/gentle-exercise-yoga-tai-chi-walking-people-sleep/story?id=123679569