Evening exercisers, sleep question

gingerjen7

I am a insomniac. I work out hard until 7.15pm.... Really hard. I don't drink caffeine and I don't sleep a wink. Sleep is already bad but so much worse after exercise at night! I feel your pain! Don't know what to do about it though! X

Well, I'm glad it's not just me, though I'm sorry that you have to experience that. If you find anything that works for you, let me know. I've been leery of sleep aids since I was a teen and I used them and found the more I used them, the more I seemed to need them. It was like they would work the first night, but the next night I would be beyond wired.

Invictus195

I do all of my cardio generally between 7-10PM and I sleep like a baby and consistently at that. I too am a light sleeper and have had my bouts with insomnia but since doing my cardio in the evenings...Its lights out!!

sleepytexan

Yes, I have that problem, and it's unfortunate bc I love to go out salsa dancing -- at night. In fact the other night I could never fall asleep when I got home; I was so wired.

Sometimes Melatonin will help, but sometimes not. If I am really desperate I will take a half-dose of Nyquil; that usually does the trick.

I just make sure I don't take coffee after 2 pm and avoid exercise the night before something really important.

gingerjen7

If I work out too close to bed I can't sleep. I get a lot of endorphins and adrenaline and it's just no good. I work out right after work (I get to the gym around 6) and I have found that working out at this time helps me sleep better at eleven. Everything starts to fade by ten and I am in bed lights out an hour later.

I think I need to try to work out straight after work and not after dinner. Lately it just hasn't worked out that way because I haven't gotten many calories during the day, so I need some fuel before I try to work out. Thank goodness I get paid tomorrow so I can restock on fruit, snacks, and good lunches I can bring to work so I'm not skimping so much--the past couple days I've been at like 500/600 calories for the day when I head home and I've already burned that just by being awake and working. It's not enough to get me through a work out with the kind of energy I feel I need to make it worth it.

RitaSantoss

I try to exercise everyday and most of the times at 9-11 pm or even later and I didn't notice any significant changes in my sleeping. I think if anything it helped me. You should first try and cut on the caffeine and other stimulants you might be eating too close to your bed time. And if this doesn't help, you should consult your physician.

Serenstar75

I prefer to work out after work, which is about 4 hours before I go to sleep. I find I sleep a lot better, and my muscles and joints are better able to handle the activity. However, when I can't sleep, since I have allergies anyway I take allergy stuff before bed that helps me sleep too and breathe better in the morning. I also have taken melatonin before for sleep. It doesn't seem to negatively impact sleep, but it sounds like your mind is trying to work out stress.

loriaqui

I work out around 8pm and find I have no problem sleeping. In fact, overslept for work today. Wouldn't recommend that ... but I did sleep well!

AddieOverhaul

I often work out from 830-10, but usually can't fall asleep for about an hour to and hour and a half afterwards because I'm too wired. So I use that time to get everything ready fro the morning so I can sleep in a bit longer, and then just try and do something quiet to get sleepy.

Tonya0605

Nope. I find that, in general, the more consistent I am with work outs the better I sleep, and my usual work out time is around 6 or 7pm, with my bedtime being around 10pm.

^^....this....but I work out much later...usually 7 or as late as 8. It actually helps me sleep better and deeper. Cardio, weights and finish with at least 10 mins of mild stretching and/or yoga poses. I usually am barely able to shower before I'm ready to sleep.

anemoneprose

Yeah, I'm disturbed by vigorous exercise after 8pm. Best if it's closer to 6 or 7, really.

What I find does help as a sleep *aid* is light swimming. I'm able to swim starting at 8 or 9 pm and sleep like a babe afterwards. And I'm speaking as a lifelong insomniac. I even catch myself driving more slowly back from the pool, & have to consciously work to keep up with traffic

(BUT I still then have to rigorously apply sleep hygiene principles.)

Radiskull

I go to the gym late. Sometimes I don't get home until 1:30am to 2:00am. I never have trouble sleeping. I am usually passed out on the couch within 15 minutes of being home. My poor husband has the most awful time trying to get me from the couch to the bed.

anemoneprose

If I work out too close to bed I can't sleep. I get a lot of endorphins and adrenaline and it's just no good. I work out right after work (I get to the gym around 6) and I have found that working out at this time helps me sleep better at eleven. Everything starts to fade by ten and I am in bed lights out an hour later.

I think I need to try to work out straight after work and not after dinner. Lately it just hasn't worked out that way because I haven't gotten many calories during the day, so I need some fuel before I try to work out. Thank goodness I get paid tomorrow so I can restock on fruit, snacks, and good lunches I can bring to work so I'm not skimping so much--the past couple days I've been at like 500/600 calories for the day when I head home and I've already burned that just by being awake and working. It's not enough to get me through a work out with the kind of energy I feel I need to make it worth it.

I think nailing the timing down with food is important. I don't know if you're like me, but left to do things intuitively I'll drift all over the clock (with eating, sleeping, what have you). Just doesn't sync up with the way the world works, unfortunately