During the holidays, we told you all about the influence sleep can have on your health.

For instance:

• Teenagers who sleep too little can have higher insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes.
• People who sleep less have higher rates of obesity and diabetes.
• Losing sleep can make you hungrier and increase your desire to eat.

On the other hand, getting enough sleep offers numerous benefits:

• Getting enough sleep can help you eat less and move more.
• A good night’s rest can encourage you to make better dietary decisions.
• Sleeping can ease your aches and pains.
• “Beauty sleep” isn’t a myth; sleeping longer can make you appear healthier and more attractive.

Exercise and sleep seem like polar opposites. One involves activity and the other involves resting. But more and more studies show that the two depend on each other.

For instance, afternoon exercise can help you regulate your own internal clock and help you get to sleep on time. And a new study out last month found that people who exercised at all, regardless of the level of activity slept better than people who got no activity. The crazy part: both groups slept the same amount of time. But the group that exercised that day were better rested and had fewer sleep problems such being unable to get back to sleep or waking up too early.

Even if you have insomnia, getting a moderate amount of aerobic exercise can get you back to sleep, lessening your dependence on medication.

Unfortunately, the close relationship between sleep and exercise means that not exercising and not sleeping can turn into a callous cycle. You avoid exercise because you are tired, but you also can’t sleep properly because you don’t have exercise to regulate your system. Sleep deprivation can ultimately even cause your muscles to atrophy (luckily, resistance training can build the muscles back up). And missing a night of sleep can also take a psychological toll on your mind, making exercise seem harder.

While taking the first step can seem daunting, adding exercise to your routine could be a simple change that helps you sleep and makes a big impact in the rest of your life!