CAN YOU SLEEP AFTER A WORKOUT? BENEFITS? CONS?

Sleeping after a workout is okay and if there are benefits/cons etc. Should we do this?

Sleeping after a workout can be good or bad. It mainly depends on the exercise types involved and your body. There are pros and cons of each choice, before or after. Therefore, I can say it is up to you to weigh and determine the better. The following are some benefits and downsides;

Pros

Post workout nap or sleep is good for body recovery. It is when the body repairs the bones, muscles, and tissues. Sore muscles can now begin to recover and build, especially when supplied with proteins.
Sleeping or napping after, enables the brain to process new lessons and memory, which is helpful to athletes who require muscle memory in slower sprints and reaction time. A post exercise nap will help grasp a skill or drill learnt in the previous session- the workout itself.
After-workout nap also enhances the time taken for overall sleep by endurance athletes who should sleep more than a normal individual.

Cons

Exercise increases your cortisol hormone levels, which possibly increases stress that may challenge your sleep. It makes falling asleep difficult, thus limiting your intention to nap after workouts.

After a workout, you may be in a runner’s high, making your brain too alert to sleep. I recommend doing something else for recovery, rather than sleeping. For example, you can stretch to cool down or continue with other activities. Please do not force your body to sleep when it does not want. In conclusion, sleeping after a workout is great, but only when you need to.

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Anastasia Filipenko

Psychologist, Freelance writer and Commercial Adviser at shopgiejo.com

Anastasia Filipenko is a health and wellness psychologist, dermatolist and a freelance writer. She frequently covers beauty and skincare, food trends and nutrition, health and fitness and relationships. When she's not trying out new skincare products, you'll find her taking a cycling class, doing yoga, reading in the park, or trying a new recipe.

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