Exercising too close to bedtime can mess up your sleep. It keeps your body in a sympathetic “fight or flight” mode when it should be shifting into a restful state. Watching an action-packed, suspenseful movie or television show can have a similar effect—not only does it elevate your heart rate, but the blue light from screens is known to disrupt melatonin production.
Last night, I watched The Long Night episode of Game of Thrones. It was 82 minutes of non-stop fighting, killing, and suspense. My heart rate was through the roof the entire time! Fortunately, I managed to sleep without issue thanks to an adrenal drip earlier in the day. It helped counteract the “stress” from the show.
Bottom line: If you struggle with sleep, avoid late-night workouts and steer clear of intense media before bed. Put on a pair of blue blockers, dim the lights, and pick up a book instead. In fact, grab one of my books… I guarantee it’ll put you to sleep in no time!