Exercising Even When You’re Tired

Exercising Even When You’re Tired

Life can be tiring. Sometimes it can be downright exhausting. There are times when you just don’t feel like exercising. So what can you do? Should you push yourself to keep going or take a break and rest up? Here are a few tips for exercising when you’re tired.

Try to modify your workout. If you’re tired or sore or just not feeling it, go for a shorter workout or a less intense one. You never know, just starting your exercise routine might perk you up and inspire you to keep going.

If you frequently find yourself too tired from your day to exercise when you get home from work, it might be a good idea to switch your workout to the morning. Exercising first thing in the morning ensures that you get your workout done before the stress, hassle and grind of the day can wear you down. A morning workout can also give you a burst of energy, making it easier to tackle your day.

The Case for Skipping your Workout when you’re Tired

In many cases, it may make sense to take a day off if you’re exhausted. You’ll get a better workout when you’re physically and mentally rested and ready to go.

So how can you tell the difference between “too tired to work out” and “looking for an excuse to stay on the couch?” That will depend on your body and your own feelings. Take an honest assessment of your situation and decide whether or not its in your best interest to work out or if you could really use the rest.

If you’re Frequently Too Tired to Work Out

If you often feel too tired to work out and you rarely have the energy to exercise, there are likely other factors at play. Are you getting enough sleep? Most adults need between seven and nine hours of quality sleep each night. If you frequently wake up feeling tired, you likely aren’t getting enough sleep or your sleep is being interrupted.

You can work to improve your sleep by setting up a nightly ritual and making sure that you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. It’s also a good idea to avoid caffeine or alcohol in the hours before bed and to limit your exposure to screens (televisions, laptops, tablets, etc.) a few hours before you head to sleep as well.