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Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just stepping into the world of fitness, you’ve likely heard the saying, “No Pain, No Gain,” countless times. However, while this mantra can be useful when it comes to motivating yourself to train harder, it doesn’t always ring true.
After all, pain can sometimes indicate that you are performing an exercise incorrectly, leaving you vulnerable to injury. It’s also often a sign that you aren’t taking good care of your body after exercise, which can make post-workout recovery difficult.
With that in mind, here are some useful tips that you can use to speed up post-workout recovery, reducing pain and discomfort!
Tips on How to Recover From Your Workouts
Drink plenty of water
While we often carry sweat as a badge of honor when exercising (as it is often a sign that we are working hard), we lose a significant amount of fluid in this way. As such, drinking water before, during, and after exercise can help to combat dehydration and, in turn, facilitate a speedy recovery. Ideally, you should aim to drink between 1.5-2 liters of water a day – and while this may take some getting used to, you’ll soon begin to notice the benefits. After all, not only will this make exercise recovery a breeze, but you’ll also feel more energized, and your skin will be clearer!
Consider professional help
If you’ve been dealing with persistent pain or discomfort, then this could be an indicator that your body requires some serious TLC. For example, you may wish to meet with a Chiropractor who can help you improve your range of motion and flexibility, reducing muscle pain and tension while doing so. Alternatively, you may want to treat yourself to a sports massage!
Don’t skip rest days
While you may genuinely enjoy working out or want to push to get the best results possible, it is important to remember that working out every day is not advisable. After all, this means that you are not giving your body time to rest and recover, which could, in fact, mean that you’re limiting your results quite considerably. For example, you’re far less likely to get a PB at the gym if you’re fatigued before you step through the door, especially considering the impact this can have on your focus and motivation levels.
Get plenty of sleep
A great deal of post-exercise recovery takes place when we sleep. This means that you must ensure you are getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night to take better care of both your mind and body. Fortunately, there are various steps you can take to sleep through the night and wake up re-energized. For example, you could start by making it easier to drift off in the first place by avoiding using your phone directly before bed. While this may have become something of a habit, it can affect your brain’s sleep-wake cycle!
You should also avoid caffeine in the evening (or late afternoon), as this, too, can impact your energy levels, meaning that you aren’t all that tired when your head hits the pillow.
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