Smoothy Slim
Photo by Lucas Andrade Pexels Logo Photo: Lucas Andrade

Is it OK to sleep after a workout?

Taking a nap after exercise can support muscle recovery. When you sleep, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone. Your muscles need this hormone to repair and build tissue. This is essential for muscle growth, athletic performance, and reaping the benefits of physical activity.

How much apple cider vinegar should I drink a day for weight loss?
How much apple cider vinegar should I drink a day for weight loss?

2 tbsp The amount of apple cider vinegar used for weight loss is 1–2 tbsp (15-30 mL) per day, mixed with water. It is best to spread this out into...

Read More »
Can you drink the juice from canned tomatoes?
Can you drink the juice from canned tomatoes?

And as for canned tomatoes — that liquid is not only some of the best tomato juice you'll ever taste, but also a great way to thin any sauce, soup,...

Read More »
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Share on Pinterest Physical activity is known for boosting energy. That’s because exercise increases your heart rate and blood flow, making you feel awake. It’s one of the many benefits of working out. However, it’s also possible to get tired after exercise. This is especially common after high-intensity workouts. Physical activity, after all, requires a lot of energy and stamina. If you feel tired after a workout, you may want to take a nap. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons post-exercise napping, along with tips for doing it right. Is this normal? In general, feeling sleepy after exercise isn’t a cause for concern. It’s normal to feel tired after physically exerting yourself. This is more likely after intense workouts. For example, you can expect your energy levels to dip after a long run or high-intensity interval training. On the other hand, a lighter workout like a leisurely walk probably won’t make you tired. Everyone is different, though. Your energy after exercise depends on many factors, including: your fitness level

your diet

your level of hydration

type of exercise

duration, intensity, and frequency of exercise

underlying medical conditions

how much sleep you got the night before In some cases, feeling sleepy after exercise might be a sign that you’ve pushed yourself too hard. Why does it occur? Post-workout sleepiness is caused by the body’s natural response to physical activity. When you exercise, your muscles repeatedly contract. They use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to produce these contractions. ATP is a molecule that provides energy for your cells. Your ATP levels decrease as you continue working out. This reduces your muscles’ ability to function, resulting in muscle fatigue. It’s known as peripheral fatigue. Your central nervous system (CNS) also plays a role. During exercise, your CNS repetitively fires signals to activate your muscles. The firing, however, will become less charged the longer you work out. Additionally, exercise increases various neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. These changes reduce your CNS’ capacity to activate your muscles, leading to central fatigue. As a result, you may feel tired and want to take a nap. Pros and cons If you’re thinking of taking a post-workout nap, consider the potential pros and cons. Pros of taking a nap after exercise The advantages of napping after a workout include: Muscle recovery. Taking a nap after exercise can support muscle recovery. When you sleep, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone. Your muscles need this hormone to repair and build tissue. This is essential for muscle growth, athletic performance, and reaping the benefits of physical activity. Taking a nap after exercise can support muscle recovery. When you sleep, your pituitary gland releases growth hormone. Your muscles need this hormone to repair and build tissue. This is essential for muscle growth, athletic performance, and reaping the benefits of physical activity. Improved sleep debt. Sleep deprivation hinders muscle recovery. It also slows down cognitive function and weakens the immune system, contributing to poor athletic performance. By taking a nap, you can lessen the effects of sleep deprivation by getting more rest. Sleep deprivation hinders muscle recovery. It also slows down cognitive function and weakens the immune system, contributing to poor athletic performance. By taking a nap, you can lessen the effects of sleep deprivation by getting more rest. Reduced physical fatigue. Feeling sleepy after exercise is a sign of muscle fatigue. However, as napping encourages muscle recovery, it decreases fatigue. This can make it easier to handle other obligations during the rest of the day.

How much beetroot should I eat a day?
How much beetroot should I eat a day?

The oxalates found in beets can increase your uric acid level, meaning that too many beets can lead to gout. To avoid this, stick to no more than a...

Read More »
What is the most important organ to detox?
What is the most important organ to detox?

The liver detoxifies numerous toxins. It also destroys drugs, such as alcohol, nicotine, and prescription medicines, because these things are not...

Read More »
7-second natural hack eats through 64lbs of belly flab
7-second natural hack eats through 64lbs of belly flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Feeling sleepy after exercise is a sign of muscle fatigue. However, as napping encourages muscle recovery, it decreases fatigue. This can make it easier to handle other obligations during the rest of the day. Increased mental alertness. Similarly, taking a nap after exercise can give you a boost of mental energy. If you woke up early to work out, a nap can help you feel less tired. Cons of taking a nap after exercise There also some drawbacks to napping after a workout. They include. Poor nap quality. Exercise increases your endorphins and body temperature. These exercise-induced changes can keep your brain and body awake. That’s why some people avoid working out just before bed. Therefore, even if you want to nap, it might be difficult to get quality rest. It might take time to determine if post-workout naps are right for you. Exercise increases your endorphins and body temperature. These exercise-induced changes can keep your brain and body awake. That’s why some people avoid working out just before bed. Therefore, even if you want to nap, it might be difficult to get quality rest. It might take time to determine if post-workout naps are right for you. Increased grogginess. If you take a long nap, you might enter the deeper stages of sleep. You’ll feel groggy and disoriented when you wake up. This feeling, known as sleep inertia, can last for up to 30 minutes. If you take a long nap, you might enter the deeper stages of sleep. You’ll feel groggy and disoriented when you wake up. This feeling, known as sleep inertia, can last for up to 30 minutes. Disrupted nighttime sleeping. Although napping can decrease sleep debt, it can negatively affect nighttime sleep. You might have trouble falling asleep later at night. Plus, if you have a sleep disorder, napping may worsen your symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you feel the urge to regularly taking naps. How long should you nap? Limit your nap to 20 minutes. Avoid napping for 30 to 60 minutes. Otherwise, you may enter deep sleep and wake up with sleep inertia. Set an alarm for 25 to 30 minutes. This will give you some time to wind down before a 20-minute nap. If you feel tired after an evening workout, it might be worth going to bed early instead. Just be sure to hydrate and eat a recovery meal first. Other tips To get the most out of your post-workout nap, keep these tips in mind: Choose the right time. It’s a good idea to avoid napping later in the day. Try to nap between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., when your energy naturally starts to drop. If you nap too late in the day, you might be unable to sleep at night. It’s a good idea to avoid napping later in the day. Try to nap between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., when your energy naturally starts to drop. If you nap too late in the day, you might be unable to sleep at night. Stretch. If you haven’t already, stretch your muscles before napping. This will help reduce muscle fatigue and stiffness when you wake up.

How do I permanently get rid of deep wrinkles?
How do I permanently get rid of deep wrinkles?

Surgical procedures and other techniques Laser resurfacing. ... Photodynamic rejuvenation. ... Chemical peel. ... Dermabrasion. ......

Read More »
How do you break a 5 day juice fast?
How do you break a 5 day juice fast?

Here are my top tips to incorporate into your diet and lifestyle ideally the day after and can be continued on after the “cleanse”: Drink plenty of...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

If you haven’t already, stretch your muscles before napping. This will help reduce muscle fatigue and stiffness when you wake up. Rehydrate first. Similarly, it’s important to drink water after working out. Be sure to rehydrate before taking a nap. After you wake up, keep drinking water to hydrate your body. Similarly, it’s important to drink water after working out. Be sure to rehydrate before taking a nap. After you wake up, keep drinking water to hydrate your body. Keep the bedroom cool. Generally, it’s more comfortable to sleep in a cooler room. Set your room’s temperature between 60 to 67°F. Generally, it’s more comfortable to sleep in a cooler room. Set your room’s temperature between 60 to 67°F. Reduce noise. When the rest of the world is awake, it can be difficult to take a peaceful nap. A fan, air conditioner, or white noise machine can help mask outside noise. You can also use ear plugs. When the rest of the world is awake, it can be difficult to take a peaceful nap. A fan, air conditioner, or white noise machine can help mask outside noise. You can also use ear plugs. Darken the room. Try wearing a sleep mask or closing the blinds. This will reduce your exposure to bright light, making it easier to get quality rest. If you plan to make naps a part of your daily routine, consider investing in blackout curtains. Try wearing a sleep mask or closing the blinds. This will reduce your exposure to bright light, making it easier to get quality rest. If you plan to make naps a part of your daily routine, consider investing in blackout curtains. Prioritize nighttime sleep. Naps aren’t a substitute for nighttime sleep. Make it a priority to get enough sleep that night, even if you napped during the day. When to talk with a pro Take note of how you feel after exercising. Talk to your doctor if you: feel very sleepy after every workout

repeatedly fall asleep without realizing it

have a hard time waking up from short naps

are unable to nap even though you’re tired These symptoms might indicate a medical condition unrelated to physical activity. Consider speaking to a physical trainer, too. They can assess your current routine and determine if it’s appropriate for your fitness level.

What Vitamin has celery?
What Vitamin has celery?

You'll enjoy vitamins A, K, and C, plus minerals like potassium and folate when you eat celery. It's also low in sodium. Plus, it's low on the...

Read More »
What are the signs that your liver is full of toxins?
What are the signs that your liver is full of toxins?

Symptoms Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) Itching. Abdominal pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen. Fatigue. Loss...

Read More »
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »
What vitamin helps with bladder control?
What vitamin helps with bladder control?

Vitamin C found in foods. A study done on vitamin c intake in 2060 women, aged 30-79 years of age found that high-dose intake of vitamin c and...

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
How can I lose 5 kg without dieting?
How can I lose 5 kg without dieting?

8 tips to lose the last 5kg, quickly and naturally You'll lose the last few kilos faster if you know what you're eating (and drinking!) ... Reduce...

Read More »