Sometimes (like today) I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet, but will be unable to sleep after. If I wake up at 4 or 5 am I usually just continue with my usual routine of exercising at 630, but today I woke up at 230 and couldn’t sleep since because of an ache near my right hip and tautness in the right foot (maybe sciatica?). I don’t feel particularly tired, but I sense I’ll probably get a headache in the afternoon regardless of whether I manage to sleep again (usually happens after a night with interrupted sleep)
It depends on where you’re at with fitness and health in general. Prioritize being well regardless of feedback here. That includes adequate rest, nutrition, hydration, etc.
For most folks, consistency is by far the most important factor. Stick to a schedule that works for you and do what you can. Maybe set up something like this:
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“the goal”: what you’d like to be able to do
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“the bar”: the minimum that qualifies as a workout for you
Maybe you don’t crush the goal every time, but clearing the bar will go a very long way. Make it accessible! Maybe the goal is a 30 minute run and the bar is a 15 minute walk, for example.
That’s a great idea. It’s important to be kind to oneself.
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No advice but you’re not alone.
My teen has been having sleeping issues recently and exercise seems to help quiet his mind so I’m he can sleep. The other day he got up at 2am and ran 8 miles before he could sleep.
But I’m the opposite. Any activity, any eye focus, any organized thought, and I’m likely up for good
Repeated days without enough sleep is the real problem. It catches up on you. Sleep debt is cumulative over a week or more.
I’ve had enough internet for one day. I read the question as “Should I continue with existence” and thought you were talking about fully discorporating out of the universe rather than take a nap.
Some days do be like that tbh
Concerned voice: “You can be sleepy and alive!! Both at the same time!! It’s allowed!!”
Yes.
You’re more likely to regret it if you skip. Once you finish your workout you’ll be glad you did it.
Maybe if you feel you can’t get back to sleep, do your exercise early. Maybe it’ll save you time later for a nap or an earlier bed time. I find if i wake and feel decently rested even if its not wake up time i prefer to just start my day there than interupt another sleep cycle.
Thanks - eventually I just did my usual routine, but slightly later than usual. Wasn’t able to go back to sleep, both before and after exercising. It’s afternoon now and my head feels slightly heavy and my legs feel slightly “minty fresh” (sciatica).
I did think about just going for the exercise when it was 4am, but it’s always the question of “if I let go of exercising at 0630 would I finally be able to sleep / what if I could have actually slept more if I hadn’t woke up now” that gets me
Sometimes this happens to me and I ask myself “can I do a lighter / shorter workout instead?” And if I say yes then I work out. 9/10 times I end up doing my whole workout anyway.
But we work out to feel good so if you’re not feeling good take a day off to rest!
I committed myself to a run this afternoon but felt weak when the time came, so i tested it out and only ran two miles. I’m glad i went out.
For me it is important to maintain momentum, so if my track record is getting a little iffy I’ll be more vigilant about going out and doing the thing and not putting it off.
