Have you ever found yourself so caught up in your workout routine that you forget to take a step back and well… rest? This is actually a very common issue when people first start their exercise regimen. The fear of taking a days rest and undoing what they’ve worked so hard up to is just enough to keep people going, and going and… going. And while yes, that drive is a great thing it’s also important to understand that a day or two of rest in between the week is necessary and won’t undo any of your hard work!
According to The American College of Sports Medicine adults should be getting in about 150 minutes of cardio exercise per week. Spread that out amongst 5 days and that equals 30 minutes of moderate cardio exercises like running, walking, or jogging within those 5 days, leaving you with 2 days of rest and recovery.
Here are a few reasons as to why rest days during the week are so vital…
- The body needs time to recover and recharge. It’s part of the total process required to build muscle, endurance and strength.
- When you overuse muscles you become more prone to injuries, and no one wants to deal with that!
- If you’re body is in overdrive from high-impact exercises you may be experiencing difficulty winding down at night and falling asleep.
But that’s not to say that during those ‘rest days’ that you shouldn’t participate in any physical activity, just if you do make sure it’s something low-impact like yoga or pilates. It’s also recommended to treat your muscles and body to some TLC as well.
Acupuncture is a great holistic approach for those suffering from back, neck, and joint pain. At DASHA® our Acupuncture for Pain treatment will aid in reducing pain and inflammation that may be caused by physical activity or other issues like chronic lower back pain, osteoarthritis, and even migraines.
So next time you feel guilty taking a day off from the gym, remember that this is part of the total process. Just don’t go more than two weeks without any physical activity because that is when you’ll start seeing your body lose the muscle that you’ve gained.
If you have any questions and to find out if Acupuncture is right for you and/or to book your next appointment click here.
