Exercising on little sleep could be bad for your brain, new study says

Not getting enough sleep can rob you of the boost of energy and mental clarity you get after a workout. But that’s just the beginning.

It turns out that getting enough sleep combined with exercise can actually have a negative effect on your brain.

According to one survey, it A new longitudinal study from the UK was published in The Lancet. Over a period of 10 years, about 9,000 participants were surveyed by scientists every two years.

“Studies have shown that sleep less than six hours consistently reduces the cognitive benefits of exercise,” said Keisha Sullivan, M.D., sleep medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Largo, Maryland. Stated.

In addition, Sullivan said the study showed that people who didn’t exercise but got an adequate amount of sleep (6 to 8 hours) had less cognitive decline over 10 years. pointed out.

“Cognitive functions may include remembering things, staying on your feet quickly, and learning new skills,” explains Professor Sullivan, noting that people who get six or more hours of sleep are more likely to be mentally more capable in their daily lives. He added that he was able to function well.

“It’s about remembering where your car keys are in the morning, remembering what’s on your to-do list for the day, remembering when to pick up the kids from practice,” she said. said, adding that the effect of the study was particularly pronounced in patients who: was in the later stages of life.

The first key point, she says, is that it’s okay to skip a workout if you need more sleep. So the next time she feels like she has to force herself to hit the gym late, it might not be worth squeezing the juice if she wants to keep her going in the long run. she said no.

“Exercise is great. But without sleep, you can’t keep up with your day,” she said.

Conversely, Professor Sullivan said exercise is still incredibly important and the study should not be used as an excuse to skip the gym altogether.

That’s why she said you should plan your time so you can train. and get enough sleep. It’s easier said than done, but it can make a big difference to both your mind and body.