I didn’t realize March is “National Sleep Awareness Month,” but it feels fitting for this post. Maybe it’s because daylight savings is just around the corner, but we’ve got sleep on the brain. If you’re someone who struggles with getting a good night’s rest, you might want to consider switching up your workout routine. There are a handful of workouts that are ideal for helping you get a full night’s sleep, so read on for your next daily workout.

Resistance training

Strength training can help you catch some much-needed ZZZs. This workout focuses on building muscle strength throughout the body while burning off extra energy. Resistance training can improve sleep quality and other aspects of your nightly rest, but the key to success is repetition. Once your muscles get the consistent strength training they crave, you’ll be amazed at how much better you may sleep. 

Workout to try:

Jump rope

Remember as a kid how you would crash after a long day of playing and running around? Take that same mentality into your workout routine. Jump rope is a great workout for better sleep due to its rhythmic nature. The key is to count your reps. You can go as fast or as slow as you want, but either way, counting your jumps gives your mind something to focus on—something other than all of the day’s stressors.

Workout to try:

Swimming

If you have access to a pool or local rec center, light swimming is a great workout option to help improve your quality of sleep. Taking a leisurely night swim can help burn off your excess energy, and the weightlessness of the water can have a soothing and relaxing effect on your whole body, making it easier to fall asleep at night.

Workout to try:

Kickboxing

Cardio helps to improve your mood, digestion, energy, overall health and more. When done on a regular basis, as little as 10 minutes of cardio per day can improve one’s sleep quality. A tension-releasing cardio workout like kickboxing offers a healthy way to get out some of the day’s frustrations out of your system, which will also help you get a better night’s sleep and improve mental clarity.

Workout to try: