What is the best thing to do after a workout? Check in with your body.
The term ‘workout’ is ubiquitous these days; whether you’re doing an at-home workout over Zoom, you’ve met up for a socially-distanced yoga class in the park or your local gym has safely reopened for in-person sweat sessions. No matter what type of workout you’re engaging in, strenuous or low intensity movement, the most important thing to do after a workout is to check in with your body.
It really is true that we each know our body best. We know what it means to push our body to the limit, and we know what truly feels good in terms of recovery. Prioritizing what happens after your workout is equally as important as what happens during, and can help set you up for success when it comes to the next time you hit the treadmill or the squat rack.
What is the best thing to do after a workout? Replenish lost moisture.
The number one thing, irrefutably, to do after a workout is to properly hydrate. It’s important to our body’s recovery for so many reasons. Drinking the right amount of water before, during and after a workout helps regulate our body’s internal temperature, helps keep our joints and limbs feeling lubricated and functioning optimally, and we know that water helps transport nutrients to all parts of the body. We also know that every body is created uniquely, and that the proper amount of water required each day can be determined by such factors as our age, weight and level of fitness. We know that when exercising, we lose water through perspiration. In order to keep our body and mind feeling their best, aim to drink between 2-3 litres of clean, pure water per day, according to this article.
What is the best thing to do after a workout? Stretch.
Another one of the most well-reputed ways to help your body recover after a strenuous workout is through stretching. Stretching helps to keep our muscles flexible and healthy, and provides range of motion through different parts of the body. When we stretch our bodies after a workout, our muscles become loose and pliable, allowing for less tension and stress in our joints.
We love to massage our Muscle Melt body butter into areas like our calves and biceps after a workout and before stretching, to help ease any sore or tight areas. Developed with hydrating shea butter as well as relieving essential oils like sweet birch and rosemary, this is our go-to product for moisture and relief.
What is the best thing to do after a workout? Go for a walk.
Another one of the best things to do after a workout is to engage in what’s called active recovery. Simply put, active recovery is low intensity exercise or movement that is used to help the body recover after strenuous or high impact workouts or activity.
One easy way to employ active recovery is by going for a brisk walk post-workout. This helps get your blood flowing and to ease soreness. We love to roll Pain Release roll-on over our knees and ankles before we get moving, to help provide relief to tight, sore spots on the body. The combination of warming essential oils like rosemary and marjoram keeps stiffness and rigidity at bay.
What is the best thing to do after a workout? Meditate.
Once you’re certain that your body is properly hydrated and you’ve taken gentle steps towards active recovery, the next crucial step is to ensure you’re placing emphasis on stillness in the mind. Meditation is an accessible, inclusive way for anyone in the fitness and wellness community to take care of themselves and connect with their inner self.
Many people find that creating meditation rituals, like burning incense or using a meditation cushion helps create a practice they continually look forward to. Our Yoga roll-on, blended with grounding notes of neroli, ho wood and patchouli, can be rolled on to temples and wrists pre-meditation to help center and harmonize the body and mind.
What is the best thing to do after a workout? Rest and relax.
Orienting our body for peace and calm is one of the most supportive ways in which we can actively help our muscles and joints recover after a workout. The body works to actively heal and repair itself in the time between workouts, and rest is crucial to the process. Without a sufficient rest period between workouts, you’re prone to experience muscle fatigue and soreness, which comes with a heightened likelihood of being injured.
Treat your body and mind to a truly tranquil experience with a diffuser and diffuser blend of your choice to help create a sensory experience that supports you in feeling balanced.
Some of our favorite diffuser blends for rest include Unwind, a soothing blend of lavender, bergamot and cinnamon or Present Moment, a gentle blend of grapefruit, sandalwood and frankincense to help you feel restored.
What is the best thing to do after a workout? Sleep.
Because so much of our body’s repair and restoration happens when we’re sleeping, you’re going to want to prioritize that coveted 7-9 hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep each night. During REM sleep the muscles in your body relax, which can help to relieve tension and even reduce symptoms of certain types of pain. Read more here about how sleep affects our recovery each night.
When you’re ready for bed, add a gentle and soothing essential oil diffuser blend like Dream State to a diffuser of your choice for the ultimate nighttime experience. Oils like valerian, renowned in aromatherapy as being deeply serene, meet calming lavender and restful roman chamomile for a truly peaceful slumber.
What is the best thing to do after a workout? What feels best for you.
We each develop our personal preferences when it comes to recovery. The best thing to do after a workout? Take care of yourself, the best way that you know how.
