Stress, Exercise & Sleep; Sweet, Sweet Sleep (for You and Your Dog)

We’ve all been there: not enough sleep, feeling tired, cranky, and irritable. Or maybe you had one of those lazy days with no physical activity, leaving you moody and stressed. The funny thing is—our dogs go through the same things, just in their own way.

How Dogs Sleep vs. How We Sleep

Ever notice how your dog can just konk out wherever and whenever? Dogs nap throughout the day and, depending on age, breed, and size, they average 12–14 hours of sleep daily (puppies even more—18–20 hours!). That’s half of their lives spent snoozing.

The key difference between our sleep and theirs lies in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Humans spend about 25% of their sleep in REM, while dogs only get around 10%. REM is crucial for dreaming, memory, emotional processing, and brain development. Since dogs spend so little time in REM, they make up for it with more total sleep. This explains why your pup can jolt awake instantly when the FedEx truck is still blocks away.

Like us, dogs also experience sleep spindles—short bursts of brain activity that help consolidate memories. Studies show dogs with more frequent sleep spindles learn better. In other words: let your dog rest. Sleep is as essential for their learning and emotional well-being as it is for ours.

Fun fact: before wolves bed down, they circle to position themselves strategically against the wind (and check for critters). That circling or scratching ritual our dogs do? A wild inheritance from their ancestors.

Why Exercise Matters

We know exercise is important, but it’s worth repeating: it’s just as critical for dogs as it is for us. Regular movement supports:

• Healthy metabolism & blood sugar balance

• Hormone regulation

• Reduced inflammation

• Strong muscles, bones & ligaments

• Improved circulation

• Better mood & lower stress

• A healthier heart & brain

• And—full circle—better sleep

Exercise, nutrition, and sleep form the foundation of a healthy life—for both you and your dog. Yet we live in a country where nearly 70% of people and almost 60% of pets are on pharmaceuticals. How many of these issues could be eased by simply focusing on those three fundamentals instead of pills?

It’s not the easiest route, but the payoff is huge: longer, healthier, happier lives for you and your pets.

Should Your Dog Sleep in Bed with You?

Short answer: it depends.

If your dog is new, not potty trained, or you’re a light sleeper, you might want to wait. But if your dog loves curling up with you, there are definite benefits:

• Dogs boost oxytocin, which promotes better REM sleep.

• They can ease anxiety and insomnia.

• Interaction with dogs lowers blood pressure and reduces hypertension.

• Sharing a bed strengthens your bond.

• And let’s not forget—they keep you warm! (The band Three Dog Night even got their name from the old saying that on the coldest nights, you’d need three dogs in bed to keep warm.)

Final Thoughts

The bottom line: prioritize nutrition, exercise, and sleep—for both you and your pets. These three pillars are more powerful than any pill, and they’re the key to thriving together.

Thanks for reading (and for listening if you caught the podcast). Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and if you’ve got a topic you’d love for us to cover, let us know!