Side Effects of Exercise
A Good Night's Sleep

Last night the most amazing thing happened. I went to bed at night, as usual. Tucking everybody in, checking the lights, preparing as much as possible for the morning rush. Climbed into bed, set my alarm, dropped head to pillow.

And then, I woke up. It was morning, just two minutes before my alarm would go off. I had slept through the night.

I mean, my body slept the entire night. Start to finish. Sunup to sundown. I am not sure if I dreamt or not. My eyes opened, and I felt fine and awake and confused. It has been so long since I have awoken without the aid of an alarm, without feeling worse than I will feel the whole rest of the day, that I was a little lost. I stared at my alarm clock for some time, blinking, trying to take in what had happened. I looked twice at the clock on the wall, trying to make sense of this.

I didn't haul myself out of my bed in the middle of the night with heartburn or headache, feeling as quietly as possible for one medication or another. I wasn't wildly twisting in my knickers to relieve strained neck and back muscles. No night sweats, restless legs, or anxious ruminating.

What happened? Did I take something? Eat something? No, no, I couldn't trace it, until I looked back over my log. Here it is: I exercised every day last week. I finally got back on my exercise wagon and have been good about moving every day. Also, I drank all my water. I wasn't brilliant about my food choices, but at least I got in my exercise and my water.

Could this be enough to have brought me the gift of a full night's sleep in the middle of my middle age? Enough moisture and enough movement? Well, as it turns out, yes. It really could be enough. Exercise helps us sleep. Sleep and water give us energy and restore our bodies. It's a reciprocal thing, it turns out.

So, exercise more, drink up, get your rest, feel better. And keep a body log so that when things suddenly go right, you can figure out why.

Diet and sleep, healthology.com
Getting your water, Mayo

Want to discuss today's Post? Visit The Skinny Daily Forum at 3fatchicks.com.

Want to read past posts? Visit skinnydaily.com.