Exercising is great for your health, but timing is key. Exercising sporadically or right before bed makes sleeping more difficult. Our body temperature rises during exercise, and can take as long as six hours to drop. Decreases in body temperature help initiate sleep, so it is important to let your body cool down before bed.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends late afternoon exercise or finishing your workout at least three hours before bedtime. “Strenuous exercise pre-bedtime is something our body responds to and it can effect our natural rhythms,” says Twery. “Keeping a regular workout schedule should help you sleep better all week, not just when there is a time change.”