Making the time to do a couple of workouts each week is great for both your physical and mental health, which is why it’s so important to make the effort to get some exercise. However, some people can be put off by the high intensity that some workouts require, as well as how long it can take them to recover. You might have experienced this yourself through suffering from sore, aching muscles for days after getting a sweat on. While this is a normal reaction to intensive exercise, there are things you can (and should) do to help your body recover after a workout.
Stretches
Always do stretches before and after your workout! This is such an essential step that should be followed but is often skipped. If you haven’t been doing your stretches pre and post-workout, this is likely to be the reason you’re feeling the aches and pains so much after exercise. To help reduce micro-tears and unnecessary muscle strain, warm your body up with a few stretches and light physical activity to prepare for the more intensive workout you’re about to do.
Cool down
Another mistake a lot of people make after a workout is stopping abruptly when you’ve finished. While you might be keen to stop and catch your breath after pushing yourself, if you don’t give your body a chance to cool down with some gentle exercise, this could be another contributing factor to sore muscles. For at least five minutes after an intense work out, slow the pace down and come to a gradual stop to give your body a chance to adjust to the change of pace.
Get a massage
If you’re still feeling tender after your workout despite doing your stretches and a warm down, you might need a little extra care. Getting a massage is not only incredibly relaxing, but it can help to work through any knots or tense muscles that are causing you discomfort. Specialists like Heaven and Earth Massage are ideal for getting some great holistic therapy to treat muscular pain if you have prolonged discomfort after a workout.
Take a bath
A home remedy you can always try is having a nice hot bath and use muscle bath soaks to help ease your aches. For the best results with this method, try to have your bath about an hour before you go to bed and sit in the tub for a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes. When you get out of the bath, do some very light, gentle stretches and give yourself a light massage to help your muscles relax and recover while you sleep.
Eat well
Finally, to help your body replenish itself after your workout, make sure you’re eating the right things. Make sure you’re getting some protein, so consider making an omelet or grilling a chicken breast to go with a nice salad. Healthy fats like that in nuts and avocados are also good for you to consume post-workout, too.
To help yourself stay in shape and to make sure your body recovers after exercise, use the tips above for the best results.