If you are someone who is married to the glow up game and find yourself always pushing yourself with intense workouts everyday, you need to commit to the rest day as well. Studies have shown that there are mental and physical health benefits to the rest period. You might feel sluggish taking a day or even a week off of your workout routine but it is actually very important for your overall wellness. Here are some reasons why that lazy Netflix day will truly pay off for you.
Give your muscles time to recover.
Think of your body like a machine. If you run a machine 24/7 it will break down and your body is the same way. Your muscles need time to rest in order to stay healthy and avoid injuring yourself. If you push everyday, your body will become overworked and you might end up with a long-term injury.
Relieve your stress.
If you are the type of person who exercises to deal with your stress, join the club, but there is something you are missing. Physical exercise puts stress on your body and causes your brain to produce Cortisol. Cortisol is your body’s stress hormone and too much Cortisol is harmful. Although working out is a great way to relieve stress you must be conscious of the stress that it is putting on your mind and body. Taking a break could reset your Cortisol levels and get you back to where you need to be.
Avoid over-training syndrome.
Over-training syndrome or (OTS) is what happens when your body is overworked and under rested. Some symptoms of OTS include, fatigue, aches, shorter range of motion, constant soreness, loss of appetite, anemia and more. Taking time to snuggle on the couch with your pet and watch movies instead of hitting the gym, could save you from all of that discomfort.
Increase your willpower.
If you have been finding yourself going through the motions of your workout routine without much enthusiasm, you probably need a willpower reset. A reset to your willpower will allow you to come back to the gym with sharp focus and willingness to push yourself harder because you allowed your mind to take a break from motivating your muscles.
Help your sleep patterns.
During deep sleep cycles, blood flow to your muscles increases. Your muscles need this time to grow and repair themselves. If you are not getting enough sleep because you can not wind down due to overworking your body, your muscles are not getting what they need. Your mind also needs deep sleep so that your brain can process and store information.
Hitting the reset button on your body and mind is crucial. You never have to feel bad for taking a few days off of your routine as long as you are listening to your body and allowing yourself to recharge. Once your rest period is over, you will return to the grind with more energy, and a healthy and happy body.
Resources:
Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels
https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/7176/8-reasons-to-take-a-rest-day/
https://www.wellandgood.com/taking-a-break-from-working-out/
https://veloforte.cc/blogs/fuel-better/6-reasons-why-rest-days-are-important
