Ten minutes of daily movement means deeper, more restful sleep

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have found that as little as 10 minutes of moderate daily movement is linked to more deep, restorative sleep, and that how often you move matters more than whether you cram it all into the weekend. The study, published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health, tracked University of Texas students who wore Fitbit devices over several months. Participants who were active more frequently spent more time in non-REM sleep, the stage that handles physical recovery and brain maintenance. They also reported better mood and more energy the next day. Moderate activity, the team notes, means breathing harder while still able to hold a conversation, roughly a 6 out of 10 in effort. No marathons required. "Just moving a little each day helps," said co-author Chris Corral. "Light activity counts too. Doing something is better than doing nothing." The team is now expanding the work to a larger, more diverse group.