There is no evidence to support the idea that napping after a workout promotes weight loss. Naps may help weight loss in indirect ways though, as research shows that naps may improve athletic performance.
Should I Nap Right After My Workout? Written by Jay Summer, Staff Writer Jay Summer Staff Writer Jay Summer is a health content writer and editor. She holds a B.S. in psychology and master's degrees in writing and public policy. Read Full Bio Want to read more about all our experts in the field? Learn About The Editorial Team Medically Reviewed by Jenny Iyo, Physical Therapist Jenny Iyo Physical Therapist Dr. Iyo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at an orthopedic clinic in Seattle. She specializes in hands-on therapy and tailored exercise programs. Read Full Bio Want to read more about all our experts in the field? Learn About The Editorial Team Fact Checked Learn More Sleep Foundation Fact-Checking: Our Process At Sleep Foundation, we personally test every product featured in our reviews and guides. This hands-on approach allows us to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations for mattresses, pillows, sheets, and other sleep essentials. Guidelines for our testing methodology are as follows: We only cite reputable sources when researching our guides and articles. These include peer-reviewed journals, government reports, academic and medical associations, and interviews with credentialed medical experts and practitioners.
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There are pros and cons to taking a nap after a workout. Although a well-timed nap may improve alertness, memory, and athletic performance, a nap may also make it more difficult to fall asleep at bedtime.
Learn more about the science behind feeling sleepy after a workout, find out if post-workout naps are right for you, and get some tips for maximizing the benefits of a nap.
Why Do I Feel Sleepy After a Workout?
Feeling sleepy after a workout may be a symptom of exercise-induced fatigue Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. medlineplus.gov .
Fatigue describes feeling weak or mentally drained and is a normal reaction to physical activity. While experts are still uncovering exactly how exercise leads to fatigue Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov , research suggests that a post-workout dip in energy may be caused by changes in the nervous system.
The nervous system controls communication between the brain and other areas in the body. It is made up of two parts, the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system, both of which may play a role in the development of fatigue.
Peripheral fatigue is a term for fatigue that occurs due to changes in the muscles themselves. Exercise involves repeated muscle contractions that require energy to perform. Muscle contractions are fueled by a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). When exercise depletes ATP in the muscles Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov , peripheral fatigue may follow.
Muscle contractions also produce byproducts Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov called metabolites from the breakdown of ATP. As metabolites build up in the muscles during exercise, they begin to interfere with muscle contractions and contribute to peripheral fatigue.
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Central fatigue is a term that describes fatigue resulting from the effects of exercise on the central nervous system (CNS) Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . Exercise changes the concentration of substances called neurotransmitters in the CNS, which then trigger feelings of fatigue and tiredness.
Some researchers have proposed a broader explanation for fatigue during exercise. They suggest that feeling tired or sleepy is a way for the brain to protect the body Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov from too much physical activity and potential injury.
Napping After a Workout: The Pros and Cons
Since a workout may result in fatigue and sleepiness, many people consider taking a nap right after they finish exercising. Before lying down for a post-workout nap, it may be helpful to weigh out the pros and cons.
The Pros of Napping After a Workout
Napping offers many benefits that are supported by strong scientific evidence Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. cdc.gov .
Reduces fatigue: Napping is not a replacement for quality sleep, but it can temporarily decrease fatigue and increase alertness.
Napping is not a replacement for quality sleep, but it can temporarily decrease fatigue and increase alertness. Improves memory: While both exercise and a nap can enhance memory, research suggests that benefits may be even greater when a workout and a nap are combined.
While both exercise and a nap can enhance memory, research suggests that benefits may be even greater when a workout and a nap are combined. Supports muscle repair: Losing sleep can interfere with performance and inhibit muscle recovery after exercise. Naps can help people get the rest needed to repair muscle tissue, build muscle, and get ready for their next workout.
The Cons of Napping After a Workout
Napping right after a workout also has several potential drawbacks.
Causes grogginess: Naps can make a person feel groggy and disoriented after waking up, a phenomenon known as sleep inertia. Experts believe that sleep inertia may result from interrupting the sleep cycle and waking up during deep sleep.
Naps can make a person feel groggy and disoriented after waking up, a phenomenon known as sleep inertia. Experts believe that sleep inertia may result from interrupting the sleep cycle and waking up during deep sleep. Interferes with nighttime sleep: Taking a nap may reduce the quality of nighttime sleep. Research shows that frequent napping is linked with poor sleep quality Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Taking a nap may reduce the quality of nighttime sleep. Research shows that frequent napping is May indicate overtraining: Feeling the need for a post-workout nap can be a sign of overtraining. Resting between workouts helps the body recover and grow muscle tissue, but feeling constantly tired and having trouble sleeping at night could be signs to slow down or take a break from workouts.
The Link Between Naps, Exercise, and Sleep
Sleep is just as important to health as food and water. Although naps have several drawbacks and are not a substitute for getting a full night’s sleep, they can help combat the effects of sleep loss, temporarily enhance feelings of alertness, and improve athletic performance.
Regular exercise benefits the body and mind, promoting brain health while reducing the risk of chronic diseases Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. cdc.gov like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Exercise also improves sleep by lowering the time it takes to fall asleep and encouraging more deep sleep.
Do Post-Workout Naps Help With Weight Loss?
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There is no evidence to support the idea that napping after a workout promotes weight loss. Naps may help weight loss in indirect ways though, as research shows that naps may improve athletic performance. Inadequate and poor-quality sleep is linked to weight gain, an increased risk of obesity, and worse results from dieting Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov .
Tips for Post-Workout Napping
If you decide to take a nap after working out, consider several tips to get the most out of your rest.
Keep it short: While there is no perfect length for naps, some experts suggest keeping naps between 20 and 90 minutes. A 20-minute nap reduces the risk of feeling groggy from waking up during deep sleep, while a 90-minute nap may allow you to get through a full sleep cycle.
While there is no perfect length for naps, some experts suggest keeping naps between 20 and 90 minutes. A 20-minute nap reduces the risk of feeling groggy from waking up during deep sleep, while a 90-minute nap may allow you to get through a full sleep cycle. Avoid late afternoon: Taking a nap too late in the day might make it harder to fall asleep at bedtime. Research suggests that the best time for a midday nap is between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Taking a nap too late in the day might make it harder to fall asleep at bedtime. Research suggests that the best time for a midday nap is between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Block out light and noises: Bright light and loud noises can make it more challenging to fall asleep at nap time. Try using earplugs and an eye mask to reduce unwanted distractions.
Bright light and loud noises can make it more challenging to fall asleep at nap time. Try using earplugs and an eye mask to reduce unwanted distractions. Give yourself time to wake up: Grogginess from sleep inertia usually lasts less than 30 minutes, but can continue for 60 minutes or longer. To wake up more quickly after a nap, try washing your face or spending time in bright light.
Grogginess from sleep inertia usually lasts less than 30 minutes, but can continue for 60 minutes or longer. To wake up more quickly after a nap, try washing your face or spending time in bright light. Consider a coffee nap: A coffee nap is another way to avoid grogginess after waking up. A coffee nap involves consuming around 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine, or one cup of coffee, prior to a short nap. Caffeine takes around 30 minutes to kick in, so you may wake up from your nap feeling more alert and energized.
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About Our Editorial Team Jay Summer Staff Writer Jay Summer is a health content writer and editor. She holds a B.S. in psychology and master's degrees in writing and public policy. Jenny Iyo Physical Therapist DPT Dr. Iyo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at an orthopedic clinic in Seattle. She specializes in hands-on therapy and tailored exercise programs.
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