Exercise, gym alone won't help you live longer. Neurologist says you also should add another daily habit

You must have heard time and again that regular exercise is essential for overall wellness. Celebrities, doctors, influencers and fitness experts all advocate this mantra as working out comes with ample benefits. It helps to keep the body active and strong, improve heart health, boost stamina, strengthen muscles and enhance flexibility. Besides its physical advantages, engaging in any form of aerobics supports mental well-being by curbing stress, uplifting your mood and improving concentration. However, one thing that most of us miss is the fact that exercise without proper rest is simply futile.

Study links sleep, exercise and longevity

Recently, Neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar, who is trained at CMC Vellore and is currently working at Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, has shared the link between exercising and sleep. Citing a study published in Frontiers in Public Health, the doctor revealed that longevity depends on maintaining a proper sleeping schedule, more than focusing on strict workouts.



According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, the study conducted by a group of researchers examined the connection between exercise, sleep duration, and mortality in more than 7,000 adults. The key finding of the study revealed that daily physical activity reduced the risk of death only among those individuals who slept an optimal amount. But the results were completely opposite for short sleepers. The longevity aspect associated with working out was not clearly observed among people who sleep less than 6 hours every night.

Doctor explains sleep’s role in recovery

In simple terms, the health expert shared that exercise offered greater long-term benefits to those who combined it with adequate rest. Individuals who sleep for more than 6 hours and exercise every day without fail enjoy better health outcomes. On the contrary, those who follow a strict workout regimen but suffer from chronic sleep deprivation are unlikely to receive similar benefits. So sleep plays a huge role in supporting the body’s recovery and long-term well-being.


Explaining the relationship between sleep and longevity, the doctor shared that when you sleep, your body repairs the stress triggered by exercising. It helps in muscle recovery, hormonal regulation, immune balance, reduction in inflammation, and metabolic reset. However, lack of adequate sleep causes the recovery process to be impaired. In conclusion, the doctor has only one piece of advice: ‘Health habits work together, not in isolation.’ Living a healthy and fulfilling life comes with regular physical activity and 6–8 hours of nightly sleep.