Finding the right time, or any time, to work out is hard. Busy lives often take over our waking hours, and by the end of the day, it’s time to head to bed. However, if you want to slip in a workout before your head hits the pillow, there is night running. The exercise is peaceful and performance boosting, helping with sleep, stress, and getting fresh air. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of night running and how to be safe when doing so.
1. A Practical Solution for Busy Lives
Starting our list of benefits of night running is its practicality. For dedicated runners who struggle with hectic daily lives, night running provides a way to enjoy a workout and numerous daytime commitments. Cutting off the chaos with a peaceful run in the evening allows for a distraction-free environment from your phone or other passersby on the road. This way, runners can enjoy every step of the way and have a moment to debrief before heading to bed.
2. Effective Stress Relief
Second on our list of benefits of night running is using it as a stress relief strategy. To many runners, going out and hitting the pavement is a type of therapy. Night running, then, is even better, as there aren’t as many people outside at that time, allowing runners to sift through the mental clutter of their days. Along with stress relief, night running can also help with seasonal mood dips, turning darkness and depression into a calming alternative. Plus, finding an easy pace can make the workout fun.
3. Enhanced Sleep Quality
Next on our list of benefits of night running is enhancing your daily sleeping habits. While many people believe working out so close to falling asleep can impact your nightly routine, it doesn’t. Actually, gentle to moderate exercise can help improve sleep quality, from falling asleep faster to having deeper rest. To make the most of your workout and your sleep schedule, make sure to finish your run at least 90 minutes before bed to properly cool down. Remember, high intensity in the morning, low intensity at night.
4. Improved Physical Performance
Fourth on our list of benefits of night running is the physical effects. Physiologically, our bodies perform better in the late afternoon to early evening, as this is when core temperature peaks. With warmer muscles and higher blood flow, runners and athletes can take advantage of increased endurance, strength, and reaction times. Studies have found that cyclists can perform around 20% longer in the evenings compared to mornings, similar to runners.
5. The Unique Ambiance of Night Running
Last but not least, for the benefits of night running is the unbeatable ambience. There’s something about quiet streets and cool air that creates an inviting and even meditative environment to work out in. Some runners prefer the quietness and new perspective at night compared to busy daytime streets. They also take advantage of aligning their runs to natural rhythms to create a positive training routine and improve their training for everyday life or even competitions.
Safety Considerations
As always, it’s important to stay safe when running, and there is a higher risk when running at night. Since it’s darker, the reduced visibility provides a higher chance of tripping on uneven ground and encountering other hazards. Pedestrian fatalities are also higher at night, with traffic crashes accounting for nearly 80% of pedestrian deaths in recent United States statistics. Making sure you wear reflective clothing, proper lighting, and other safeguards can make your runs peaceful and not dangerous.
Final Thoughts
All in all, night running can be an incredibly enjoyable experience. That includes the boost to physical performance, mental health, and more flexible scheduling for even the busiest people. Always make sure to use safety precautions, pacing, and your sleep habits to create the best running schedule catered to you, and reap the amazing benefits. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been running for over a decade or for the first time; night runs might be the key to having a healthier life.