I won’t deny that numerous studies show that consistent exercise helps alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia - it’s pretty much a fact at this point.

But how are you supposed to keep a consistent exercise routine when you can’t fricken sleep?!

Numerous studies also suggest exercising while sleep deprived has harmful effects, such as slower recovery of the bodies muscles and CNS, weakening of the immune system, and in the long term causes overtraining, a dangerous state for the mind and body to be in.

Not to mention that it’s dangerous - lifting weights while sleep deprived, for instance, increases your likelihood of an accident.

But I personally wouldn’t want to swim or run on only a couple hours sleep, either, unless I’ve had caffeine, but I don’t want to have to depend on it.

Everywhere online, and by real life doctors, you get told exercise helps alleviate insomnia.

Okay, I’ll just go to the gym on a day I have the energy too, when I’m well-rested enough to be swinging around huge weights.

When I’m well-rested enough, of course.

Wait a minute...

sighs At least I found ONE study that actually agrees with me and points out this vicious catch-22.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3716674/

“Conclusion: Research suggests that sleep influences next day exercise rather than exercise influencing sleep. The relationship between TST and next day exercise was stronger for those with shorter TST at baseline. These results suggest that improving sleep may encourage exercise participation.”

You don’t say...

Just needed to get that off my chest, as someone who loves fitness but hasn’t been able to exercise in about 3 weeks and is being set back because of it, and we all know why.

I’m sure others can relate.