The Wellness Center's Blog

Three Ways to Have a Great Rest Day!

By: Chelsea Wellness Center

July 10, 2018, 6:00 am - Categories: Uncategorized

Exercise is an important part of leading a healthy life. However, rest days are equally important. Not only do you need time to recover from workouts, but rest helps builds muscle.

According to Elaine Choung-Hee Lee, Ph.D., associate director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Connecticut, “working out causes microscopic tears in muscle tissue. As your body repairs the damage, it remodels your muscles into larger, stronger versions of themselves so that they’re better able to handle the stresses and strains of working out next time.”

Here are three ways to have a great rest day:

 Get some sleep

Nothing helps to recover your body better than sleep. Aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep on your rest day.

Load up on macronutrients

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as healthy fats to support your recovery and combat inflammation.

Don’t forget to Hydrate

When you’re properly hydrated, your body is functioning as optimally as possible. Water supports an effective workout and subsequent recovery.

REFERENCE

Schultz, Rachael. 2017. How to Have an Effective Rest Day. June 12. Accessed June 20, 2018. https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/blog/how-to-take-effective-rest-day.