You might associate stretching with waking up, but research suggests it can help you sleep, too.

Women who began a stretching exercise program as part of a study were able to fall asleep more easily and were less likely to need sleep aids compared to before they began the study. Whatever exercise you choose, be sure to avoid intense exercise within three hours of bedtime, which can disrupt sleep habits.

Just a few extra minutes of exercise could mean the difference between restless nights and sound slumber. In a study, women who exercised for 3 hours and 45 minutes each week slept better at night compared to the women who exercised for only 3 hours per week. If you can, choose morning as your exercise time. Extra exercise didn't improve the sleep habits of the women who chose to exercise in the evenings.

RealAge Benefit: Getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night can make your RealAge as much as 3 years younger.

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