4 Workout Rest Day Tips

It’s a generally accepted fact that everyone should be working out. At the very least, it means mental clarity, a significant boost to your energy levels, increased strength, improved cardiovascular health, and weight loss. With these benefits, it’s tempting to take things too far, and many do. It’s not uncommon for people to overtrain, or even develop an addiction to exercise. This is where taking a rest day comes in. Rest days are important for muscle recovery, preventing injury and overall burnout. 

Here are four tips for making the most of your workout rest days.

Stretch

Your rest days are your chance to stretch out your muscles to prevent or relieve muscle soreness. Soreness is caused by tiny tears in your muscles that occur when you work out. While this sounds bad, it’s actually a good thing, as this means your muscles will grow back stronger. Still, soreness is uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.

Stretching on your rest days also helps increase your range of motion and flexibility, both of which are important for preventing injuries.

To stretch properly, first, warm up your muscles with some light activity. Then, hold each stretch for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Eat Right

Just because you’re not working out doesn’t mean you can indulge in unhealthy foods. In fact, eating right on your rest days is just as important as eating right on days when you’re working out.

On your rest days, make sure to eat plenty of protein. Good sources of protein include poultry, dairy, lean meats, lean meats, eggs, and fish. You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for their vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

And don’t forget carbohydrates. While you may be trying to cut down on carbs when you’re working out, they’re still an important part of a healthy diet.

Soak in a Tub

Put in your bathtub stopper! Soaking in a tub can help your muscles recover from a workout. The hot water helps increase blood flow to your muscles, which aids in the healing process.

To get the most benefit from your bath, add some Epsom salt. Epsom salt is rich in magnesium, which has numerous benefits, including reducing inflammation and muscle soreness.

Soak in your tub for 20 minutes to reap the full benefits.

Sleep

Last but not least, make sure you’re getting enough sleep on your rest days. Sleep is when your body repairs itself, so it’s essential for recovery.

Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping, try drinking chamomile tea before bed or using a noise machine to drown out any unwanted noise.

Working out is important, but so are rest days. Use these tips to make the most of your workout rest days and improve your overall health and fitness. By following these tips, you can keep your body healthy and strong.