Your Workout Time and Cortisol

The time of day you workout is important because your level of cortisol rises and falls as the day progresses. Cortisol is a natural hormone that raises metabolism along with body temperature, and readies the body to work. Cortisol also stimulates us to wake up from sleep when it is activated / released by light exposure, low blood sugar levels and other factors. Exercise lends to activation. Cortisol levels start to activate at sunrise, peak between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and decrease during the afternoon. By 6:00 p.m. daily output is done, and this makes it easier to wind down and eventually go to sleep.

Some major sports authorities say that when cortisol levels are highest, one can naturally train better. They also believe that training after work in the early evening may cause sleep disruption and disrupt the recovering / repair cycles. The physical repair cycle is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The psychological repair cycle is between 2 a.m. and 6 a. m. This disrupting can cause you to wake up feeling lethargic.

As noted, exercise lends to the activation of cortisol. So, if you work out in the evening, the body gets the feeling it is in the timeframe between sunrise and midday. Essentially, you will be winding yourself up for the night. When cortisol is released, it lasts for hours before it dissipates. If released in the evening, it will still be active at bedtime. This can keep you from getting a deep, or restorative sleep.

Note. If you work out in the evening, but still sleep good, this may suggest an underlying problem of fatigued adrenal glands. You're sleeping good because the released cortisol from exercise is bringing the adrenals back up to a baseline functioning. A problem is being covered over.

The ability to do your exercise routine between 9 and 12 in the morning is impractical for most people. But, if you can do it then, you will be in the ideal time frame. Otherwise, try to workout as early as you can in the late afternoon, as opposed to the early evening.

Of course, the above information is relative to your particular lifestyle, and the ability of your body to adapt to the parameters of your exercise routine, your work schedule, and your sleep pattern.

Harrison Ennis is considered to be a true renaissance man of the 21st century. A published author and freelance writer, as well as owning several design patents. A votary of shag dance. Serious researcher on the science of life for over a quarter century. A Kundalini adept. Lifelong involvement in physical culture; to include martial arts, yoga, traditional exercise, and various obscure modalities. Tracker of cutting edge health products and practices. Fitness / Wellness researcher and coach, esoteric educator, and life science counselor. Past general manager for one of the largest health and fitness club facilities in a major metropolitan area. Proffers his Yoga by Ennis - Yoga Life Science Regimen yogabyennis.hleproductions.com yogabyennis.hleproductions.com as a personal trainer for individuals and groups, and gives seminar sessions by request and special arrangement. His current products and services directory may be viewed at hleproductions.com hleproductions.com