Unlock better sleep and health with exercise | Southern Cross

juneesoutherncross.com.au · Feb 20, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

Full Article

Small changes to sleep and movement today could make a powerful difference to your health tomorrow. Picture by HeadJamNearly three-quarters of Australian adults are not meeting national physical activity guidelines. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingAll articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperAll other in your areaAt the same time, almost two-thirds report at least one sleep problem such as difficulty falling asleep, waking often during the night, or feeling exhausted during the day.These are not separate issues. Around one in five adults are both physically inactive and experiencing poor sleep. Together, this combination can quietly increase the risk of serious health problems including heart disease, depression and type 2 diabetes.Sleep is sometimes treated as optional, something we sacrifice when life gets busy. But sleep is essential. Regular, good-quality sleep helps us think clearly, stabilises mood and restores energy. Just as importantly, it plays a critical role in how our bodies regulate blood sugar.Type 2 diabetes affects about 1.3 million Australians. It develops when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively. Over time, low physical activity and inadequate sleep can disrupt blood glucose regulation and lead to prediabetes. Around 30 per cent of people with prediabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes. The encouraging news is that physical activity and sleep can work together to improve glucose control.The more active you are, the better your sleep. And the better your sleep, the more likely you are to be active. It is a powerful cycle that supports overall health...- Professor Mitch DuncanProfessor Mitch Duncan from the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle says, "The more active you are, the better your sleep. And the better your sleep, the more likely you are to be active. It is a powerful cycle that supports overall health, including glucose control."Research shows that increasing physical activity can significantly improve sleep quality, particularly in people who struggle with poor sleep. Improving both behaviours together may be a practical way to reduce diabetes risk.To explore this further, Professor Duncan is leading the Move and Sleep program, a National Health and Medical Research Council-funded study testing a new lifestyle program designed to improve physical activity, sleep and glucose control.Adults aged 45 years and over who are not physically active and have trouble sleeping are invited to participate. The study involves three visits to the University of Newcastle and online support. Participants receive personalised feedback on their glucose levels, physical activity and sleep, plus a $30 gift voucher after each visit.