It’s hard to understate the importance of physical activity. According to Mayo Clinic, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. Exercise is essential for heart health, lung health, and other functions in the body. However, it can be difficult for many people to find time to work out. Some prefer to get it over with in the morning while others are more likely to stick with their routine in the evening.
According to WebMD, the best time of the day to exercise is a time that you will stick with, period. If working out in the evening is the best time for you to hit the gym, then don’t feel like you need to wake up at dawn instead. However, it is important to be aware of the side effects of working out before bed. According to Mindbodygreen, working out less than two hours before you go to bed can disrupt your sleep patterns. Sleep is also essential for a healthy life and poor sleep patterns can offset many of the benefits you get from working out. People who work out more than two hours before their bedtime, on the other hand, should not have any negative effects on their sleep. If you like to work out in the evening, make sure you do it at least two hours before you plan on going to bed.
Other ways exercising in the evening can impact sleep
Blood pumping through your veins isn’t the only thing that may keep you up at night after you hit the gym. Many people take some sort of energy-boosting supplement before exercising to help them stay energized while working out. Whether it’s coffee or pre-workout, consuming anything that contains caffeine can also disrupt your sleep at night. According to Livestrong, drinking a cup of coffee in the afternoon can make it harder for you to fall asleep at night and wake up the next morning. Caffeine is also a diuretic and might cause you to wake up in the middle of the night for a trip to the bathroom.
Everyone has different tolerances to caffeine, so you may be able to enjoy a pre-workout drink before exercising in the evening without disrupting your sleep. However, you may need to adjust your exercise schedule if you are having a hard time falling or staying asleep when you work out in the evening.
