Sleep vs. Working Out?
You got to bed late last night, trying to shake off the Sunday Scaries with a Netflix binge that lasted well into episode four, and now that Monday alarm is going off all too soon. It's still dark outside; your bed is warm and cozy and you think to yourself, "There's no way I'm getting up to work out right now, I'll do it tomorrow."
Is this how your Monday started off? It's a familiar scenario for many of us, I'm sure. Maybe it looks different for you...your partner's snoring kept you up, the dog woke you or the baby did, but whatever it was, you didn't sleep well, and now you're trying to decide if you should sleep or push through. Prompted last week by a client’s question: should you choose a workout or sleep?
The answer here depends on a few different factors. If I were more talented, I would have made you one of those fancy "Choose Your Own Adventure" infographics, but alas, I am not. Here's how to decide if you should choose a workout or extra sleep:
Are you in the process of forming a new habit with your workout routine? If you're the type of person who struggles to start a habit, or to keep one up once you've started, then I'm usually going to advise you to choose WORKING OUT if this is you. The benefits of keeping the momentum going is going to outweigh an extra 30-60 minutes of sleep.
Are you a high-stress, anxious person who pushes yourself too hard? I'm looking at you, fellow Type A people. You typically have a tendency to OVER train versus work out too little...in this scenario I'd suggest choosing SLEEP.
Maybe you fall somewhere in between these two personality types, or maybe this is becoming a more constant struggle that you're noticing, versus a once-in-awhile thing. In that case I'd ask yourself:
"Is there another time of day where I can train?" If yes, then sleep and make sure to train later. It's worth taking an honest look at your calendar and see if there are other days/times where spending 30-60 minutes exercising will fit in your life better.
"Can I split the difference?" Don't let perfect be the enemy of good...maybe you can't work up the energy to drive to the gym for your hour long session, but you CAN do a 15 minute workout with bands or body weight at home. Even something is better than nothing.
"What decision will make me most proud of myself?" If you're constantly burning the candle at both ends, maybe you'll be more proud if you actually stop and listen to your body and rest. If you know that, deep down, a workout will make you feel more proud and accomplished, then don't overthink it, just get out of bed, pour some coffee and get to work.
What are YOUR tips for this struggle? For me, I lay out everything I'll need the night before, I have coffee prepped and ready to brew. If I automate the process, it's much easier to follow through.