Before the neighbourhood runners incite a riot on their morning route — first let us explain. While pounding the pavement as the sun rises is by no means bad, doing so at dusk might just be better for you.

1. Less chance of injury

While you may have been sitting at a computer all day, as dusk sets in, your body is in peak condition — core temperature is elevated and the body is ready to respond to terrain change — more so than when you first rolled groggily out of bed.

2. Blow off some steam

How often do you wake up with pent up stress? We thought so. Hitting the streets after a long day at work can provide the stress and endorphin release that you — and the people you come home to — actually need.

3. Burn more

Your metabolism may take a little while to kick in after fasting all night, but a pre-dinner run when your metabolism is already fully functional will help burn calories well into the night and likely influence you to eat cleaner at dinner time. The added bonus of a dusk run? There will be significantly less temptation to indulge in any late night sweet treats.

4. Sleep Better

Previous studies may suggest that vigorous exercise shortly before bedtime disturbs
sleep however a recent study proved the complete opposite, with participants drifting off 30 minutes post-exercise, possibly due to reduced blood pressure. Meanwhile, the jury is still out on sugar and screens, two major sleep disruptors.