3 Ways to Stay Active on your Rest Days

In your exercise schedule, it’s important to plan for rest days, days during which you don’t work out so that your body can recover from the important work it’s done. However, it’s also important not to overdo your rest days; if you spend your whole rest day lounging on the couch, chances are that your muscles will be sore and tight by the end of the day. If you’re sick of dealing with overly-stiff muscles after rest day and not seeing enough results, try these three ways to stay active even on your days off:

1. Stretch! The best way to avoid sore and locked-up muscles is to do some stretching on your rest day. It doesn’t have to be a big production or take half of your day and you can even do some stretches at your desk so it’s an easy way to stay limber and help your muscles recover faster. Just remember not to over-do it as you don’t want to damage your muscles or do anything that will keep you from getting back to the gym the next day.
2. Take a walk. You don’t need to do big-time cardio or even set foot in the gym on your rest day but taking a leisurely stroll can be great for your body, especially if it’s nice enough to walk outside. Explore your closest nature walk and focus more on the experience than on the exercise. Don’t go too fast or too far; you still want it to be a rest day, after all.
3. Invest time in a non-sedentary hobby. Whether it’s golfing, gardening, or even cooking, semi-active hobbies are a great way to keep yourself moving on your rest days. Devoting time to a hobby you love not only gets your body moving but also helps your mind recover so that you feel ready to push go on your next workout routine. Make your rest days feel like they’re really worth something by dedicating them to something you love.

It’s well and good to keep yourself active on your rest days so that your muscles can recover from a strenuous workout but they can only do that if your body has the tools it needs to build them stronger than before. Make sure your body can support your burgeoning muscles with Gym & Tonic, a collagen powder that contains 20 grams of protein and 18 amino acids in every serving. Amino acids are exactly what your body will use on your rest days to put your muscles back together and Gym & Tonic can help decrease recovery time and increase the payoff you get from your exercise routine.