Work Hard, Rest Harder

We all know the ever-expansive list of benefits of regular exercise for both your physical and mental health, which is why it can be so difficult sometimes to force yourself to take a day off. However, regularly skipping rest days can actually do your body more harm than good, and believe it or not, it may even be trying to tell you it too. So, do you know which signs to look out for? Let’s find out! 

Muscle Soreness/Inflammation - While soreness after an intense workout is completely normal and not always indicative of needing to take a rest, you should take note of pervasive aches that just don’t seem to be dissipating.

Increased Stress - If you’ve been feeling more stressed and on edge than usual, this could be coming from more than just your busy schedule. With regular exercise naturally putting strain on the body and wearing you down over time, it’s crucial to prioritise taking days off to decompress and reset your mind.

Your Workouts Feel Excessively Difficult - Of course you want to feel challenged with each workout, but if exercises you can normally do with ease are starting to feel significantly more difficult, it might be your body’s way of telling you to relax. That’s not to say you need to sit around in bed all day and watch Netflix either; sometimes rest just means slowing things down and opting for lower impact movements like a brisk walk or light yoga flow instead.

Changes In Sleep Patterns - Finding yourself hitting an afternoon slump or heading to bed earlier and earlier? You’re probably running low on energy and need to take a break from working out. The best way to nip exhaustion in the bud is by including rest days into your routine so you don’t find yourself burnt out. 

It’s simple; you can’t meet your fitness goals with your full potential if you’re not giving your body enough time to recover; so may this be your sign to take a day off - you deserve it!

Team Sudor