One of the best ways to relax is by sleeping, after a tiring day of work, all a person needs is their bed. However, not being able to sleep is a big concern. Many people suffer from insomnia or sleeping disorders that stop their bodies from resting properly. So how does one tackle this? It's well-known that regular physical activity can improve your sleep, but what kind of exercise is best when you're really struggling to get enough rest? New research published in the BMJ journal points to a few specific activities that might be especially helpful for beating insomnia. Natural Way to Combat Insomnia Many people experience chronic insomnia, which can seriously affect their health and daily life. While talking to a therapist about sleep problems is often the best approach, this new research suggests that certain exercises could be a good natural option, especially for those who can't easily access therapy. Past studies on exercise and sleep often treated all physical activity the same or looked at short-term versus long-term exercise. This new research, however, looks at different types of exercise separately to see which ones are most effective. Exercise and Sleep To find out which exercises might lead to better sleep at night, researchers looked at many studies involving people with sleep difficulties or diagnosed insomnia. They compared different approaches, including therapies like counseling and massage, as well as various forms of exercise: YogaTai ChiWalking or joggingA mix of heart-pumping exercises and strength trainingStrength training on its ownHeart-pumping exercises combined with therapyOther mixed heart-pumping exercisesYoga Shines Brightest for Sleep Improvement As expected, therapy had broad and lasting positive effects on sleep. But among the exercises studied, yoga appeared to be the most promising. It was linked to: Almost two more hours of total sleep timeNearly a 16% improvement in how efficiently people sleptAbout a 30-minute reduction in the time it took to fall asleepWalking or jogging was connected to a noticeable improvement in how severe insomnia was. Tai Chi was associated with over 50 more minutes of total sleep time and about a 25-minute quicker time to fall asleep. The researchers concluded that these findings highlight how much exercise can help in treating insomnia. It's important to remember that this study has some limitations. Many of the studies included in the review had some design or method problems, and some involved only a small number of people. Also, it was hard for some experts to fully review the new research because it didn't directly show or link to the specific studies it looked at. Exercise Helps You Sleep Better So, why does exercise improve sleep? Experts suggest that physical activity can boost your energy levels during the day, improve your mood, and sharpen your thinking. These effects can help counteract the negative impacts of insomnia. More specifically, walking or jogging might help you sleep better by reducing stress hormones and increasing sleep-promoting hormones. For yoga, its focus on controlled breathing and body awareness may increase levels of a brain chemical that helps you relax and fall asleep. Tai Chi might also support better rest by encouraging calmness and improving emotional control. Tips for Using Exercise to Improve Your Sleep If you're struggling with insomnia, it's a good idea to talk to a sleep expert or a doctor specializing in sleep. They can provide personalized advice. While this study points to certain exercises as being particularly helpful, experts encourage people to try different activities to see what works best for them. The key is to choose something you enjoy and can stick with regularly. Remember, exercise isn't just about making you tired. It's about improving your mind and body so you're better able to get the sleep you need.