Q: I didn’t sleep well last night and have a busy day ahead. Can a 20-minute workout make up for a bad night’s sleep?
A: Not quite, but it may help your brain get through the day.
A recent study found that 20 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise helped protect memory in people who had gone 30 hours without sleep. Interestingly, the benefit was similar to what researchers saw in people who took a 90-minute nap.
That doesn’t mean exercise can replace sleep. Your body and brain still need adequate sleep for recovery, mood, concentration, and overall health. Think of exercise as something that may temporarily help you function better, not as a substitute for the sleep you missed.
If you had a poor night of sleep, you don’t necessarily need to push yourself through an intense workout. A brisk walk, bike ride or other moderate activity may be enough to get you moving and help you feel more alert.