Part 4/7:
Resting heart rate, a critical and often overlooked biomarker, emerged as a vital indicator of not only health but also sleep quality. It represents the autonomic nervous system's health, in balancing between sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) responses. Insights from the podcast emphasized that lowering resting heart rate significantly correlates with improved sleep quality, indicating that habits affecting resting heart rate also affect sleep.
Actionable Insights:
- Exercise Earlier: To optimize sleep, prioritize high-strain workouts earlier in the day, ideally six hours before bedtime.