Sleep Myth Monday: Exercise at Night?

This is the latest installment of a regular feature here at SleepBetter.org: Sleep Myth Monday, where we bust sleep myths wide open, or verify that they’re true.

Myth or Truth: Exercising in the evening is bad for your sleep.

MYTH

Exercise is definitely a good thing to do for your body, and it will help you sleep better. For years, though, doctors suggested avoiding exercise near bedtime. Research from a few years back, however, suggests that isn’t true.  It found that while the subjects’ heart rates were slightly elevated, they fell asleep faster and slept more soundly than if they hadn’t exercised.  You can read about that research on exercise and sleep here.  A good guideline, however, is still to stop working out an hour or so before it’s time to turn in.