May 20, 2026
With summer around the corner and planting season in full swing, patients with sleep apnea might have thought that the many fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers they grow this year will be the biggest reward for their efforts in the garden. But recent studies have shown that the act of tending to an outdoor garden may have another surprising benefit: improved sleep. Here’s a closer look at this incredible connection, and how your crops could yield more than just produce this year!
It seems counterintuitive that getting more sun would make it easier to fall and stay asleep, but according to a recent study, spending time outdoors in the garden could do just that. Research has shown that the combination of daytime exercise and light exposure can help promote healthy sleep. In fact, it can even improve dementia symptoms and protect cardiovascular health, too.
The study followed nearly 60,000 participants from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and found that those who regularly tended to a garden had lower odds of things like shorter sleep duration, sleep apnea, and insomnia.
Although the study specifically focused on gardeners, researchers believe the same effects can benefit anyone who spends time outdoors in the sun getting physical activity, not just those tending to crops. In fact, simply walking or wandering in nature has shown similar benefits to sleep and mental health, even if it’s not vigorous exercise.
In addition to helping you fall and stay asleep, the sun is also an excellent source of vitamin D, which helps you absorb calcium and build strong bones. Experts recommend you spend between 10- and 30 minutes (or 15 to 30 minutes if you have darker skin) outdoors midday and without sunscreen each day to get the maximum benefits of vitamin D production. Anything beyond that, be sure to wear proper sun protection such as an SPF, wide-brimmed hat, and long sleeves.
Physical activity is important, too, but there’s no need to run a marathon or hike a mountain. The simple act of casually strolling and observing nature is often enough to help benefit your rest and is a great way for beginners to work their way up to more vigorous movement.
Finally, if you are still struggling to get the sleep you deserve, talk to your sleep dentist about your treatment options. Oral appliance therapy is a safe, natural way to reposition your airway so it stays open, helping you breathe freely while you rest and improving your sleep apnea symptoms without the need for CPAP or more invasive options.
Remember, getting out in the garden this summer isn’t just an excellent way to grow your own delicious, nutritious food. It can also benefit your sleep apnea symptoms, too. So, stop tossing and turning about getting the rest you deserve. Speak to your sleep dentist today about oral appliance therapy, and how you can finally make resting second nature!
At GoTo Sleep Center – Scottsdale, our team of sleep dentists are here to help you finally get the sleep you deserve, naturally. Sleep apnea can feel like a nightmare, robbing your body of much needed rest and wreaking havoc on your day. If you’re tired of being tired, contact us today at 623-299-8799 to learn more about how oral appliance therapy can help.
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