Sleep is an incredibly important process for your entire body, but did you know that a healthy sleep routine can also help to improve the success of your physical therapy routine? We talk about the importance of a healthy sleep cycle with a number of our patients, but we want to use today’s blog to explain why it can be so crucial in helping you hit your goals during physical therapy.
Improving Your Sleep Quality To Improve Your Physical Health
Improving your sleep can help your physical health in a number of ways, but here’s a closer look at how sleep and your success during physical therapy are connected.
- Energy Levels – Sleep helps us recharge our batteries and ensure that we wake up rested and ready to attack the day. If you’re not getting enough continuous sleep, you’re going to wake up tired and groggy. If you’re already finding it hard to muster up the motivation to go for a run or do your physical therapy exercises, it’s only going to be harder to do so if you’re fatigued. Getting better sleep can help you be more active during the day (and conversely, being more active during the day can make it easier for us to fall asleep and stay asleep in the evening).
- Tissue Repair – You are physically inactive while you’re asleep, so it is a perfect time for your body to repair tissues that have been damaged or stressed throughout the day. Your body needs this time to recover from the rigors of the day, and you may notice some more aches and pains if you aren’t getting enough sleep and allowing for this tissue repair process to take place.
- Pain Sensitivity – Numerous studies have found that there is a distinct connection between your sleep levels and your pain sensitivity. Studies have found that sleep deprived individuals tend to be more sensitive to pain due to how this lack of sleep can affect our neural responses. Since exercise and physical therapy will try to push you out of your comfort zone, being more sensitive to this discomfort can discourage you from pursuing your PT exercises.
- Mood – Finally, poor sleep can also negatively affect your mood. It’s not uncommon to be a little grumpier or to have a shorter temper if you are sleep deprived, and having a healthy and happy mindset is important for the success of your physical therapy program. If you’re tired, you may not be in the mood to work hard during your physical therapy sessions, and that can lead to delayed rehab. Improve your sleep to improve your mood and attitude towards physical therapy.
If you have questions about how you can improve your sleep schedule, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists. We can explain how to develop a healthy sleep routine through diet and exercise choices, as well as by making your bedroom an ideal sleep environment. A few simple tweaks to your daily routine can go a long way in improving your sleep quality, your success during physical therapy and your overall quality of life. For more information, or for help with a different physical issue, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.
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