Few things are more frustrating than spending the night tossing and turning. If you've overdone it with the coffee or are worried about something, you probably know why you're having trouble sleeping. However, if you're having one of those nights when you just can't seem to fall asleep, take a look at your workout schedule.
Exercise and Sleep
Exercise is supposed to help you sleep. After all, a good workout tires you out, but regular exercise also helps you fall asleep more quickly and sleep more deeply, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Exercise helps reduce your anxiety, which may also help you sleep better.
How Exercise Causes Sleep Problems
The reason exercise sometimes interferes with your sleep can be found in your body's initial response to a workout. Exercise stimulates your system, increasing your body temperature, which interferes with sleep because the body naturally cools as you become tired, says HelpGuide.org. Also, though exercise reduces overall stress levels, stress actually increases during and right after exercise, says MayoClinic.com.
Finding the Best Exercise Schedule for You
The time it takes for stress levels to fall and the body to cool after exercise is different for each person. HelpGuide.org recommends exercising in the morning or early afternoon, so you can be sure the effects have worn off by bedtime. However, MayoClinic.com also recommends tracking your sleep quality over the course of two weeks, giving each day a number, and comparing your numbers to when you exercised. This allows you to pinpoint the best exercise time for your body.
Considerations
If you're new to exercise, you might be tempted to skip a workout because it could cause you sleep problems. But exercise is one of the most important things you can do to improve your physical health. It makes you feel better, helps you control your weight, reduces your likelihood of heart problems or contracting certain types of cancer and can boost your day-to-day energy level. Move your workout around, don't skip it.
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