So I’ve been doing stretching routines before sleep lately and it has really helped a lot with my insomnia and it has prevented my body from waking up in the middle of the night. What physiological or chemical effects does stretching have on sleep?
In: Biology
I don’t think there’s a direct relationship between stretching and muscles but here are some known physiological effects
1. Focusing on your breathing while stretching is obviously a key factor. Deep breathing will lead to better respiration and your parasympathetic nervous system will work to “rest and digest”
2. Stretching a muscle will physically stretch blood vessels and so more blood flow equals better cellular respiration and better elimination of waste products.
3. Stretching a muscle involves activation of gamma motor neurons. And these neurons inhibit contraction by synapsing on the spinal cord. There could be some diffusion of inhibition that may affect other nerves too.
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