A doctor has shed light on whether it’s advisable to exercise after a poor night’s sleep. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman has shared the advantages and disadvantages in a new episode of his renowned Huberman Lab podcast.
While some might use fatigue as an excuse to skip their fitness regime, others may feel some physical activity could be just the thing to boost their energy levels. Dr Huberman has now clarified the relationship between sleep and exercise, aiming to guide people on the best course of action.
In a recent Instagram update, he said: “SHOULD YOU EXERCISE AFTER A BAD NIGHTS SLEEP? The short answer to this very common question is, yes. But only if it’s fairly mild sleep deprivation for instance, if you sleep only half or 3/4 of your usual ration required to feel rested and alert.”
He further elaborated that “exercise can offset some of the negative effects of sleep deprivation”, adding: “However, you’re going to need to be mindful of a couple key issues related to intensity and not getting sick or injured.”
Accompanying the post was a snippet from the latest instalment of his podcast, which “is all about the effects of exercise on the brain in the short term and long-term and specific movements that you can add to your exercise routine that don’t take much time, and zero cost (in other words, that don’t require any special equipment), and that have been shown to improve brain function and plasticity.”