Just 10 minutes of daily exercise could unlock deeper sleep

Getting better sleep might be as simple as moving a little more every day. Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin found that people who exercised more frequently experienced more deep, restorative sleep, which is essential for brain recovery, memory, and emotional well-being. Surprisingly, just 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day was associated with measurable benefits, while even light activities like walking and standing breaks were linked to better sleep and mood.

Just 10 minutes of daily exercise could unlock deeper sleep. Research from The University of Texas at Austin suggests that being physically active every day, even for short periods, may help people spend more time in the deep, restorative stages of sleep that support recovery, mood, and mental health. The findings suggest that consistency could be an important but often overlooked part of the relationship between exercise and sleep.

Rather than saving all their workouts for the weekend, people may benefit from making movement a regular part of their daily routines. The study, published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health, examined activity and sleep data collected from University of Texas students who wore Fitbit devices over several months. While previous studies have largely examined how much time people spend exercising, the researchers focused on a different question: Does the number of days someone exercises influence how well they sleep.