Exercise is an activity that is supposed to energise you, but there are so many days when, post-workout, all I want to do is lay in bed and succumb to the temptation of sleep. It was different from a usual lethargy, something akin to completely crashing. I wondered at the cause and after observing for days I noticed a pattern of the days I fell asleep after a workout, read ahead to know what caused it and how I combated my untimely sleepiness.
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Why does it occur?
I have days when I do high-intensity interval training and days when I opt for a moderate cardio session. Needless to say, I felt drowsier after those HIIT sessions. Our body derives its energy from the molecule adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, during any physical activity. Any rigorous training routine is bound to deplete those energy reserves (ATP), resulting in extreme fatigue and/or sleepiness. This indicates that a heavy exercise routine that causes more stress on your body is very likely to be the cause of post-workout sleepiness.
An endless list of reasons contribute to my messed-up sleep schedule. Nevertheless, I manage to score a satisfactory sleep most nights, but on days that I don’t, my energy during workouts and after does a good job of reminding me to sleep properly. Whenever I get fewer hours of sleep, the urge to nap after my workout seems more magnified than ever. Thus, inadequate sleep is another factor that adds to the drowsiness I experience after my workout.
How To Fight Post-Workout Fatigue
- Here are my top 4 ways that work best against post-workout fatigue:
Stay Hydrated
It is no news that water makes up 60% of our bodies. Even when I am not exercising, my body (and yours too!) requires half my body weight in ounces of water daily, so imagine how much it would be on exercise days. I, for one, sweat a lot during my workout sessions and thus try to consume water actively before and after a workout.
When drinking water before a workout, I try to take it half an hour or so before my training as nobody looks forward to the feeling of water sloshing in my stomach during cardio. Dehydration has been shown to impact energy levels negatively; hence, working out while dehydrated is bound to tire your muscles out, and fatigue may persist even after your workout. I repeatedly noticed that on days I deliberately hydrated myself, the urge to nap considerably lowered.
Fix Diet
Fixing my diet resulted in huge changes in my post-workout energy level. Before this, I never paid much attention to regulating my diet according to my training routine and ate whatever and whenever I felt like. After adding a pre-workout meal to my day, I felt visibly energized and this feeling only amplified when I gradually added a post-workout snack to my diet. I planned my pre-workout snack to be an easily digestible protein with a fast-burning carb source, usually a smoothie or peanut butter paired with some fruits. Similar to this was my post-workout snack, which included protein and complex carbs.
Try Supplements
Eating and sleeping right are habits that helped me maintain my energy levels, yet there were times when academic, family stress and various other factors dampened my mood and added to my physical lethargy. My grandma always advocated for the health benefits of beetroot and other natural ingredients whenever I mentioned my woes. It turns out beetroot powder has made a name for itself in this field scientifically as it produces nitric oxide in our body, which increases blood flow and oxygen delivery and relaxes blood vessels. But prepping these natural foods daily when I already had a short time on my hands became a hassle. Therefore, I opted for supplements, which are a quick way to gain the benefits of these substances. I drink it daily before starting the day and feel energized throughout my whole day.
Cool Down After A Workout
Cooling down after your routine is just as important as the actual workout. Since the body temperature is high and blood vessels are dilated while working out, stopping suddenly can lead to feeling sick or even passing out. It also clears the lactic acid that is built up during a workout, which results in reduced stiffness and cramping. If you notice a feeling of drowsiness after your workout,, adding a 15-minute cool down to your routine can greatly help.
Now you know the reasons that caused me, and most probably other people, the urge to sleep after their workout. Remember that napping is only our body’s natural response and sometimes (or maybe always, if your schedule allows) should be honoured. Napping can also facilitate muscle recovery and boost your energy levels when taken in the right amount. If the problem of sleepiness after a workout persists even after you have tried all the methods you can, Healthcanal.com highly suggests you consult your doctor about it.
