Can High-Intensity Workouts Lead to Sleep Problems?
High intensity workouts are a great way to stay active and reach our fitness goals. And while intense workouts may be an excellent way to stay fit and healthy, they can sometimes cause sleep problems. Working out too intensely or too late in the day can disrupt our sleep cycles and cause difficulty sleeping.
Learning how to manage our high intensity workouts in a way that makes them beneficial rather than detrimental to our health is key. Achieving our fitness goals while still getting the proper amount of sleep is something that is worth striving for.
Understanding how certain workout routines can affect our sleep, as well as learning how to revamp our routine so that it works for both our fitness goals and our sleep goals, is key in getting the most out of both our sleep and our workouts.
The Impact of Timing on Sleep
When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, timing matters. Experts recommend exercising in the morning or early afternoon to get a better night’s sleep. Working out in the late afternoon or evening can disrupt our circadian rhythm, which can cause sleeping difficulties.
High intensity workouts are especially important to practice during the day due to their stimulating nature. These workouts can leave us feeling energized and alert, which is not inspiring for a good night’s sleep.
Making High-Intensity Workouts Work with Our Sleep
The key is to adjust our workout to make it more compatible with our sleep cycles in order to get the most benefit from our workout while still getting the best rest we can. While high intensity interval training is generally recommended, managing our rest time and intensity of interval movement is important.
The duration and intensity of our workout both play a part in how our sleep is affected. Experiments have shown that moderate intensity workouts are less disruptive to sleep than longer, more intense sessions.
It is also important to have a good sleep hygiene routine. In addition to making sure to avoid intense workouts in the late afternoon or evening, it is important to have a bedtime routine that is conducive to sleep. This could include avoiding screens, reducing consumption of stimulants (caffeine, etc.), and going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
Tips for Making High-Intensity Workouts Compatible with Sleep
- Exercise in the morning or early afternoon
- Manage intensity and duration of your workout
- Take breaks and practice mindful movements
- Have a good sleep hygiene routine in place
- Avoid screens and stimulants before bedtime
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day
Conclusion
High intensity workouts can be an excellent tool to reach fitness goals, but they can also lead to sleep problems. By managing the intensity and timing of our workouts as well as developing a solid sleep hygiene routine, we can get the most out of both our workouts and our sleep.