Just like how sleep is restorative for your body after a day of mental and physical exertion, a rest day when following a strenuous work-out plan provides what your body needs to replenish. But many of you may be asking what exactly is a rest day and what should it look like? Is it really that important? How would I go about implementing a rest day so I do not fall off my exercise goal plan?
A rest day is a day off from your regular exercise practices. This is so your mind and body can recover from interval training, strenuous exercise, etc. Some may find themselves doing lighter exercises, a leisurely walk or some low impact work. Some may find themselves taking a total break and engaging in relaxing activities. The important thing here is to allow your body to recuperate after putting your muscles to work especially with high impact exercise. Rest is still beneficial as it allows your body to process the work it has engaged in, with muscles recovering and becoming stronger during rest periods. Rest also gives your nervous system a break. Incorporating rest periods can also prevent a workout plateau and fatigue.
It could be helpful to think of your rest days as a time to implement practices that really support taking a break. Some find this to be a good time to meditate or practice yoga. If you are still feeling energized it may make sense for you to engage in light cardio such as walking or swimming. Some may find they need a total break so a Netflix binge session is appropriate for them. Whatever the activity may be, ask yourself if you feel relaxed and rejuvenated following the activity or at the end of the day. This can lead to further thinking about what your needs may be for a rest day.
Rest days are important because the body needs time to recover from strenuous exercise. During rest periods muscles heal, grow, and become stronger. Rest days help us maintain our fitness goals. It is advised to incorporate one rest day per week as this has been shown through research to be the right amount of time to repair muscle tissue, build muscle, and reduce mental stress. Listen to your body and take note of energy levels. Let your body be the guide when it comes to assessing needs for rest. Soon, you will find yourself achieving the right balance for you and your fitness goal needs.
