Muscle recovery – We all know how important regular exercise is for our health and wellbeing. Whether you’re about to start exercising, or you’re a fitness fanatic, it’s hard to escape stiff and sore muscles from time to time.
Stiff or Sore? How to Speed Up Muscle Recovery
If this sounds like you, and you’re having difficulty functioning without pain, here are a few tips on how to speed up muscle recovery.
Stay Hydrated
After an intense workout, it’s vital that you drink plenty of water. Doing so will help rid toxins from your body, as well as prevent dehydration. Muscles that become dehydrated can become painful very quickly, so it’s important that you’re drinking plenty of fluids. If you find it difficult to stay hydrated, make sure that you keep a water bottle by your bedside while you rest. That way, you will be reminded to keep your levels topped up.
Get Plenty of Sleep
You should never underestimate the importance of sleep, especially when it comes to speeding up muscle recovery. If you’re the type of person who thinks that 5 hours of shuteye is enough, you won’t be giving your body the time it needs to recover. Instead, you should be having between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night. If you’re struggling to drift off, memory foam is excellent for recovery and will keep you comfortable and relaxed throughout the night. All in all, sleep helps with muscle repair, especially if you have recently undergone a strenuous workout.
Get a Massage
A massage can be a great way to ease muscle pain and break up scar tissue. Some other physical benefits that you can gain from regular massages include improved circulation, reduction of stress hormones, as well as increased joint flexibility and mobility. If you don’t have the cash to shell out on regular messages, why not ask a family member or friend who may be able to help and ease the tension?
Eat a High-Protein Meal
Research indicates that eating protein before going to sleep can aid post-exercise muscle recovery. When you wake up in the morning, drinking a protein shake, or opting for a breakfast high in protein can help reduce food cravings during the day. It’s best to stick with healthy foods such as lean meats, oatmeal, and eggs. While you may be tempted to reach for sugary treats, you will be doing more harm than good in the long run.
Stretch Every Day
Regarded as one of the best things that you can do to prevent further injuries, stretching each day will help aid muscle recovery. On your off days especially, stretching can wake your body up and get you back to your old self in no time. If you are strapped for time, try and aim for light exercises such as planks and squats, as well as full body stretches.
Rest Your Muscles
If you’ve started to notice improvements in the way you look after exercise, it’s only natural that you will want to continue on your journey. If your body is aching, however, it’s important that you give your muscles time to rest and recover. Listening to your body and taking some time away from working out can be hugely beneficial and play a part in speeding up muscle recovery. While it can be hard to stop exercising for a couple of days, your body will thank you in the long run.
Stiff and sore muscles can stop you in your tracks and hinder your fitness journey. Instead of feeling deflated or doing too much at once, all the tips above can benefit you and speed up muscle recovery.
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