Rest — whether it be sleep, rest days, napping, active recovery days — is VITAL to performance. Think about when you have an open wound, what’s key to its healing? The recovery time! This is the same for muscles, bones, your hormonal systems, your brain — your entire body!
When you’ve had a hard workout, you break down muscle fibers and you need to give your body healing time. When you do, that’s when your muscles HEAL and actually become STRONGER! If you neglect proper restoration, your systems will not heal. In fact, they’ll actually suffer.
I take an active rest day each week where all I do that day is go for a walk to get the blood flowing to my muscles and prioritize rest. It’s vital in my weekly training and helps me prepare for another week. I also prioritize sleep for optimal recovery and take naps when I need them. I’m big on rest and its body-healing power!
Have you taken proper rest? You should.