Workouts and Sleep

Kath712

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this... After working all day, dinner, and getting the kids to bed, often my workout comes late in the day, around 8:00-8:30. Mostly, I've been doing 20-minute videos (Jillian Michaels, Chris Freytag), 20 minutes on the stationary bike, or some Wii Fit. (Only one of these each evening.) So, I finish my workout by 9:00, then it's my time on the couch (TV, check email, etc.). The last few nights I've worked out, I swear I'm falling asleep by 9:30, can barely keep my eyes open. I usually go to bed around 10:30. And I've been sleeping soundly through the night, feeling refreshed in the morning (as refreshed as one can feel getting up at 5:30).

So last night, I had other things to do and didn't work out at all. I was awake the whole evening, even had a little trouble going to sleep at 11:00. Not sure if it was the lack of exercise, or watching our Flyers lose the Stanley Cup. :-( Then I woke up at 2:30 a.m. and had trouble going back to sleep.

I thought the evening workouts would get my blood pumping and cause me to be more awake. But it seems they are actually beneficial to my sleep. Or maybe it's ANY workout during the day. And last night, with no workout, my body was off schedule, so my sleep was messed up. I told my husband I'm definitely working out tonight to make sure I get a good night sleep.

What do you think? Are there some endorphins or something that are helping my sleep?

Ashia1317

I am a HORRIBLE sleeper!! I stress. I worry. I toss and turn.

Exercise has helped me soooo much in dealing both with sleep and stress. Some nights I go to bed and already the alarm's going off the next morning. I was out cold!!

Lots of studies have shown that exercise is a great way to help sleeps troubles. It has for me.

TruSunshine

:noway: I am the same way...I have no problem falling asleep after a workout. Hence, the reason I stopped exercising in the morning....For some reason, i don't get the energy that most get; i'm the exact opposite. I haven't figured it out so now I just workout in the evenings, shower, then go to bed...Go figure

sabrinafaith

When you're body is used to the work out schedule, it usually adapts itself. I find that on Saturdays (the day I NEVER work out on) I go to sleep an hour and a half later because I'm not even tired. The funny part about your story though, is that usually people have an adrenaline rush for about 3 hours after a workout, but maybe because your work outs are 20 minutes long, it doesn't affect you as much. I used to workout at 7pm every night for 40 minutes and I wouldn't be able to go to bed till 11. I was like on a high until 10:45. Now I work out at 11am, so by the time my baby is asleep at 8:30, I'm ready to crash, lol.

rcatr

Workouts definitely helps me sleep better. On my days off, I have a little more trouble falling asleep. On workout days, call me narcolepsy girl.

Ms_Natalie

Hi there :flowerforyou:
You managed to post this before I did...I know EXACTLY how you feel. I am a terrible sleeper and have been since I was 20 (5 years ago)....and could often stay awake until 3am and still have difficulty getting to sleep. I was also an early riser and so my sleeping hours were horrific.

Since I started MFP and working out daily, I have seen a dramatic difference in my sleep pattern. I am tired by 10pm and ready for a good nights, deep, beneficial sleep.

I injured myself 2 weeks ago and had to take two weeks off exercise to let my achilles tendonitis heal...during this period, my sleep pattern was disturbed and I once again had difficulty getting a good nights sleep. After 3 days of working out, my sleep pattern is once again AMAZING and I feel so happy, refreshed and energetic!

Yay! So now, If I ever feel like I cannot be bothered, I will think of the great sleep I will get in the evening....good motivation for me personally :flowerforyou: