Why don't we run down there and grab some Ambien

Is it a uniquely human characteristic to look for the easy way out, or is it a universal phenomenon? Sleeping pills are just one example of how the quick fix is often chosen over the more difficult but more comprehensive solution. The solution I speak of now is exercise. There is truly nothing better for improving sleep than vigorous exercise.

If you are a long time reader of this blog you may be scratching your head in confusion. Why am I all of the sudden talking about exercise and not Ambien, Lunesta, or benzodiazepines? Well if you'll indulge my digression, I'll tell you.

Sleeping pills are great. One would be hard pressed to find a more enthusiastic advocate of sleep pharmacology than I. However, pharmacology is not a total solution to problems sleeping. Ambien, Lunesta etc are basically band-aids. They temporarily mask the symptoms of a problem without actively making any kind of change. While it is true that Somnigen is a more comprehensive solution to sleep health, the addition of exercise to your sleep hygiene plan will only make things better.

There's an easy way out of this conundrum. Just ride your bike to pick up your Ambien and kill two birds with one stone.