It’s all too easy to go a little too hard when you’re working out because when that adrenaline is rushing around your body, you tend to push yourself further than you intended, and then you’re left sore and aching, unable to workout or do anything of use for a few days. Luckily, there are ways that you can recover faster than normal so that you can get yourself back in the gym for another workout.
Don’t sit still
While your body is aching, all you can think of is sitting or lying very still to avoid causing yourself any more unnecessary pain. This is one of the worst things you can do because when you do finally have to get up, it will hurt more than it did before. Keep your body moving as much as possible, but at a slower pace. Once your muscles are rewarmed up, you will find that the pain eases and that you’re able to continue with regular day to day life.
Rehydrate
Did you know, that every person can lose up to 1.4 liters of sweat during each hour of workout on average? That’s a lot of fluid to lose from your body, and since the most important thing we can put into our bodies is water, you need to concentrate on rehydrating. The more hydrated your are, the quicker your muscles will be able to recover. Many athletes have taken to IV therapy, which allows them to rehydrate faster than simply drinking water. This might be something to consider if you’re an avid gym goer.
Eat regenerative food
The food that you’re putting into your body will also affect how quickly you recover from your workouts. Bingeing on junk food will do nothing but undo your hard work from your workout. The best types of food to eat are fish, berries, nuts and broccoli. While none of them sound as appetizing as a pizza, you will notice that eating the right food will get you back in the gym faster than ever.
Also, eating the right food all of the time will allow you to notice the gains you’re working towards from the gym even faster. Foods high in protein are brilliant for muscle building and endurance.
Get enough sleep
Believe it or not, sleep is one of the most important thing you can give yourself to help you recover from an intense workout. Giving your body that time to properly rest will allow it to repair itself, while helping you feel more alert the next day too. Try and aim to get at least eight hours of sleep a night and you will find that your recovery time is shortened between workouts.
Applying these four things to your lifestyle will allow you to recover faster from an overly intense workout, and get you back on it faster than ever. Remember not to over do it as much as possible – Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will the body you’re working towards!