Physical & Mental Benefits of Rest
When you’re used to an active lifestyle, it can be challenging to figure out how rest fits into the mix - outside of sleeping. We tend to pride ourselves on not needing rest as if it’s a badge of honor, when truly, it’s a flex of a culture that is hyper-focused on productivity - not well-being.
The truth is that rest is one of the most important ingredients to being able to sustain and active lifestyle. Taking the time to rest supports the basic functions of the body to such a degree that will allow you to push when you need to without emptying the tank fully. Here are some of the benefits of rest:
Physical recovery: Rest allows your body to recover from the physical stress of exercise. During exercise, your muscles undergo micro-tears, and rest allows them to repair and rebuild. This helps to improve muscle strength, endurance, and overall performance.
Injury prevention: Rest also helps to prevent injury. Without adequate rest, your body becomes more prone to injury, especially if you are engaging in high-intensity or repetitive exercises.
Improved sleep: Exercise can be stimulating and may interfere with sleep patterns. Resting after exercise can help to promote better sleep, which is important for overall health and wellbeing.
Reduced stress: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, but rest can be just as important. Resting after exercise can help to lower stress hormones like cortisol and promote feelings of relaxation.
Mental recovery: Exercise can be mentally taxing, and rest can help to restore mental energy and focus. Resting after exercise can also help to improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Rest is a crucial component of any exercise routine. It allows the body to recover physically and mentally, prevent injury, improve sleep, and reduce stress. Incorporating rest days into your exercise routine can help you achieve your fitness goals and maintain overall health and wellbeing.
For a program that encourages rest as part of the exercise paradigm, check out the Autoimmune Clinic Library.
