Sleeping better thanks to walking
We are sleeping 1 1/2 hours less than we did 50 years ago, on average! 73 % of French people wake up at night and 36 % claim they have problems sleeping. A large number of people are unhappy with the way this affects their daily life Walking and especially Nordic walking can become an excellent way of regulating your sleep and helping you get the rest you need!
The consequences of sleep problems
People who lack sleep are almost always suffering some form of distress In the short term, you can experience drops in concentration, lapses in memory, slower reactions and increased drowsiness. This final point is one of the risk factors that can result in occupational accidents and is the primary cause of road accidents in particular.
In the long term, there are real consequences for your health: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, irritability, headaches, depression,problems keeping up at school and at work for working-age adults.
Less stress, more sleep… Long live Nordic walking!
Like any physical activity that is practised for more than 30 minutes, Nordic walking stimulates the secretion of hormones (endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, etc.) So? These hormones also affect morale, stress, anxiety and pleasure! Step by step, they procure a sense of well-being, and your sleep improves allowing your body to recover from its daily fatigue and preserve all of its energy.
Kick-starting the biological clock
Walking regularly helps to get your body clock working properly again. If you don't want to start Nordic walking, simply walking for 30 minutes a day will already have a noticeable effect on the quality of your sleep and prevent certain diseases.
Get a breath of fresh air and get into Nordic walking
Nordic Walking exercises all the muscle chains and has a direct effect on your breathing. The posture associated with using poles (arm movements, straight upper body, head up high) is very good at opening up the rib cage. You breathe more deeply and consume more oxygen than when walking normally (+60% on average). It doesn't stop there! When practised outdoors, nature offers you a peaceful environment and you can tap into the benefits of the natural light (and sometimes even the sunshine for those who are more fortunate).
This is great for sleeping well and getting rid of any stress!
10 ideas for sleeping like a baby
- Reduce your consumption of stimulants (tobacco, alcohol, coffee), particularly at the end of the day.
- Make sure that your bedroom is a peaceful and well-aired place where you can relax.
- Do not engage in intense activity in the evening.
- Preferably choose activities that are more chilled (music, stretching, yoga, meditation, reading, etc.)
- Try to get to bed at the same time every day.
- Do not browse your computer, tablet or smartphone before going to bed.
- Eat enough, but not to excess. This will aid digestion.
- Be aware of any signs of fatigue (yawning, heavy eyelids).
- Treat yourself to a good bed to ensure the best possible conditions for sleeping properly.
- First and foremost, walk every day!
