Are there particular downsides of working out at night after dinner and before bed?
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Working out late at night, especially right after dinner and close to bedtime, may have several downsides. According to , exercising later in the day, particularly after dinner, can disrupt sleep patterns. It might prevent you from falling asleep and affect your ability to wake up feeling well-rested 1. This is particularly important to consider if your exercise sessions are intense, as these are likely to raise your body temperature and further delay your circadian rhythm, thereby pushing back the time at which you will want to go to sleep 2.
Additionally, notes that the timing of your workout about six hours before sleep is more beneficial. However, if you have no choice but to work out in the evening, consider implementing down regulation breathing post-exercise to mitigate some of the sleep-disruptive effects 3.
Overall, while it's better to work out than not at all, it's advisable to schedule workouts to allow sufficient wind-down time before sleep. This helps in maintaining a more consistent sleep schedule and avoiding disruptions to your circadian rhythm.
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