If you’re an early riser and enjoy firing up your engine first thing before starting your day then that sounds like an excellent time for you to exercise. If you find yourself rushing into work soon after getting out of bed but have some time in the afternoon, that may be the perfect time for you to fit in some physical activity. Or how about if you’re stuck in the office all day and are busy with family commitments in the late afternoon, leaving you with little free time until the evening. That may be your opportunity to fit exercise into your schedule. Key point here, there really is no bad time to fit some physical activity into your day.
By including exercise as part of your morning routine you can gain both a physical and psychological advantage. This approach allows you to check it off your to-do list right away providing an immediate sense of accomplishment. The endorphins your body releases during exercise also allow you to start the day off more energized and in a positive state of mind. This positive energy you create can carry through into the rest of your day!
Not an early riser or have other commitments that force you to push your workouts until later into the day? No worries! Many people find their energy levels fading as the day goes on. Fitting in some physical activity later in the afternoon or evening can be a great way to re-energize, get your heart rate up, your blood flowing and revitalize yourself, preparing you for the next challenge or obligation.
Ok what about exercising right before bed? Isn’t that going to make it harder to fall asleep? There are actually mixed opinions on this, but overall exercise is found to improve sleep. The best approach to exercising before bed would be to consider the type of activity you do and stay in tune to how your body responds to it afterwards. I have no issues with running or cycling for an hour or so, hopping in the shower and then jumping into bed. I still sleep like a baby! My wife however finds that she struggles to fall asleep if she plays volleyball late in the evening. Lower intensity activities such as stretching, walking, slow resistance movements or yoga may be better suited if you find that more strenuous activity impacts your ability to fall asleep soon afterwards.
When trying to really dial in and improve your personal performance, there may be more effective times to exercise than others, but overall, some activity is better than nothing regardless of when you do it. So, integrate physical activity into your day when it works best for you and reap the benefits.