How to Get More From Your Rest Days

How to Get More From Your Rest Days: Best Practices

We’ve all heard the expression: "It is not how hard you train, but how well you recover." Rest days are crucial to your regime, and your results. Going hell for leather every day at your routine can be extremely detrimental and increase your risk of injury. However, they don’t have to be spent on a sofa watching TV, or whiling away the hours doing nothing.

Most sports enthusiasts dread the rest days, torturing themselves with what they could be doing with their time. But there is a way you can rest your body during your workout rest days and still stay productive.

Stretch it out
Stretching is hugely important for counteracting the pressure you put your body under during workouts and balancing out your muscles. Use foam rollers, or body weight stretches to loosen your muscles and help your body recover. You’ll notice how much more effectively you work out, when you begin to stretch properly.

Gentle and light exercise like a long easy walk, will keep the blood flowing, without straining your body. It’s a fantastic way to raise your heart rate, and get some fresh air in your lungs without over exerting yourself.

Give your mind a break as well as your body, and find a moment of peace to properly relax. When you’re watching TV or vegging out, it doesn’t allow you to switch off in the same way that meditation does. Give it a try and see how much better you feel.

Have an Epsom salt bath. The salts will flush out the toxins from your body leaving you feeling so much more relaxed.

Aim to go to bed on time, and get no less than eight hours. That way when you wake up, you’ll be able to get more from your routine and see quicker results.