Exercise and Sleep – Part 2 (When the Time Isn’t Right)
July 3, 2022
When the time isn’t right.
Part 1 of Exercise and Sleep highlighted the benefits of consistent exercise helping with sleep quality. It is like a kill two birds with one stone scenario. Both benefit greatly from each other and both benefit our overall health and performance immensely. It is a win-win situation.
Most of the time.
And it is all to do with time. Generally speaking, consistent exercise improves sleep quality. That is unless we exercise at a certain time. There is a wrong time of the day to exercise.
What are ideal times to exercise if you want to get the best sleep? Mornings give the biggest sleep benefit, helping you achieve longer periods of deep sleep. Deep sleep is really important, especially if you are interested in longer life and better body composition. Midday and Afternoons are also great times to train to help with sleep. The stress hormones secreted from your workout have subsided and your sleep hormones have now taken over. Meaning your earlier exercise is now helping you have longer and better sleep.
There is one time of day that is not great. Night time is not the right time. For people who start their training after 7:00 pm at night, exercise is counterintuitive. Working out too close to bedtime will prevent you from getting the best possible sleep. Mainly because your core temperature will be elevated, stress hormones elevated, and your nervous system fired up. All things that we do not want around sleep time.
Working out late at night may look good for your Instagram status, shows your dedication to training, you love the grind, etc. However, it is plain dumb for your sleep. Your circadian rhythm and hormone cycles are not designed to be training hard late at night. Exercising at these times can be causing more harm than good.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Exercise and Sleep – Part 2 (When the Time Isn’t Right)
July 3, 2022
When the time isn’t right.
Part 1 of Exercise and Sleep highlighted the benefits of consistent exercise helping with sleep quality. It is like a kill two birds with one stone scenario. Both benefit greatly from each other and both benefit our overall health and performance immensely. It is a win-win situation.
Most of the time.
And it is all to do with time. Generally speaking, consistent exercise improves sleep quality. That is unless we exercise at a certain time. There is a wrong time of the day to exercise.
What are ideal times to exercise if you want to get the best sleep? Mornings give the biggest sleep benefit, helping you achieve longer periods of deep sleep. Deep sleep is really important, especially if you are interested in longer life and better body composition. Midday and Afternoons are also great times to train to help with sleep. The stress hormones secreted from your workout have subsided and your sleep hormones have now taken over. Meaning your earlier exercise is now helping you have longer and better sleep.
There is one time of day that is not great. Night time is not the right time. For people who start their training after 7:00 pm at night, exercise is counterintuitive. Working out too close to bedtime will prevent you from getting the best possible sleep. Mainly because your core temperature will be elevated, stress hormones elevated, and your nervous system fired up. All things that we do not want around sleep time.
Working out late at night may look good for your Instagram status, shows your dedication to training, you love the grind, etc. However, it is plain dumb for your sleep. Your circadian rhythm and hormone cycles are not designed to be training hard late at night. Exercising at these times can be causing more harm than good.
