Getting home after work and still finding the time to workout can be a challenge for some of us. With only so many hours in the day, responsibilities at home and a full day of work, this can truly put a toll on your body and mind.
We all know how beneficial exercising is, but should we be exercising before bed?
For us to get the most out of exercising, we should take note of the timing in which we do so. Working out in the morning is a great way to improve our alertness and endorphin levels but exercising too late could affect our sleeping pattern.
According to Harvard medical School, getting regular exercise any time of the day does contribute to good hygiene habits, however, we should be avoiding any strenuous physical activity late in the evening.
Healthline explains that the type of exercise you choose before bed can affect your quality of sleep and therefore we should be choosing the time of day and the type of exercise we do very carefully.
If you are only able to exercise at night then you should opt for light to moderate intensity exercises as this may improve your quality of sleep.
In addition, Healthline suggests to try to complete your workout at least ninety minutes before going to bed as this will give your body the time to wind down.
Here are some examples of light to moderate intensity activities:
- Stretching
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Walking
- Swimming leisurely
- A slow bike ride
Exercise activities that is more high intensity should therefore be avoided in the evening. These types of exercises can affect your nervous system and raise your heart rate.
Examples of high intensity activities are:
- Running
- Jumping rope
- Aerobic dancing
- Swimming laps
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
- Heavy weightlifting
