We’ve all heard the remarkable upsides of physical activity. Regular exercise is linked to so many benefits, including more restful sleep and better energy, stronger bones and healthy weight, and even increased lifespan. Exercise is so important that the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention make it a cornerstone for healthy living, recommending adults get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week and do muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days.
What government guidelines aren’t mentioning, though, is making time for the behind-the-scenes work your body does to stay fit. Exercise essentially puts your body through systematic physical stress. Whether it’s yoga, weight-training, running, cycling, swimming, or another fave activity, a good workout causes microscopic damage at a cellular level. This physical stress then leads the body to repair and strengthen, and ultimately builds fitness.
So when you plan your weekly workout time, build in disciplined recovery between workouts to really reap the benefits. Give your body the right ingredients to hone strength, speed, and endurance. Below are 5 ways you can take great care of your recovering body between workouts, to help you feel and perform your best!
- Foam roll: Take time to massage muscle groups with a stiff foam roller or other roller device. This type of self-massage can work certain spots deeply, relieving tension, pain, and tightness to help with overall recovery and flexibility.
- Hydrate: It’s common knowledge that bears repeating: If you feel thirsty, you’re already slightly dehydrated. Drink water or other fluids during exercise if you can, and aggressively re-hydrate after working out. Water helps muscle tissue, cushions joints, and also flushes toxins as you recover from exercise.
- Supplement: Purely herbal supplements can support effective recovery. Zyflamend™ is the best-selling 10-herb blend from New Chapter that's formulated to support healthy joint function and includes Ginger for occsaional pain relief and healthy inflammation response after exercise.*† Learn more about the power of Zyflamend for workout recovery.
- Fuel: Getting protein soon after a workout gives your body tools to rebuild. Replenishing carbohydrates is also essential, since they get stored as glycogen—your body’s workout fuel. So your post-workout protein-carb combo could be something like yogurt and berries, a protein powder smoothie, or tuna on whole-grain bread. Make it easy and delicious!
- Sleep: Adequate sleep is a crucial part of feeling the benefits of being active. Sleep lets your body focus on repair, hormone release, and is even linked to better decision-making skills. Adults should generally get 7+ hours of sleep a night.
Remember, recovery is just as important as the workout itself. Stay hydrated, nourish your body, roll and stretch, and get adequate rest to ensure you're ready for your next workout. Embrace these practices and watch your fitness journey flourish!
