My Favorite Rest & Recovery Methods

Our health and wellbeing is our most precious asset. As such, I can write endlessly about the importance of exercise and self care – which are all integral practices to support our healthiest selves!

Even still, I sometimes feel pressured to be “productive” 24/7. But, if we try to push past our limits, it will inevitably lead to burnout at some point. When I feel this way, I don’t perform my best, lose my motivation, and even become apathetic. 

I thought a post like this would be a perfect follow-up to some of my previous posts on wellbeing. So, here’s my guide to mind and body recovery methods:

Body

Let’s begin with the body. If we're challenging ourselves (like with functional exercise), P.volve trainers Dani and Kimmie say we need to give back to our bodies with time for rest and active recovery. 

Rest –

No strenuous physical activity (basically just chilling)

Recovery –

Light, gentle, low impact movements and activities (walking, yoga, stretching)

Taking this time off actually improves our mental and physical performance, because we need that break in order to heal and repair muscle, maintain flexibility, feel energized, balance hormones, and prevent injury. Are you inspired to take a day off now? Me too!

Dani and Kimmie also remind us that we need to schedule in these recovery/rest days in our weekly exercise regime, just as we would with our normal workouts. Here are some of my favorite recovery methods for the body to get our energy flowing in a gentle way:

Walking

I think walking is the perfect activity. It’s a low impact way to be active and move your body, and is also rejuvenating for the mind. When I’ve been pushing myself for a few days in a row and my body is sore, I’ve been opting for a more restful activity like walking to still get some movement in. Bonus points if you’re out in nature, practicing mindfulness, listening to a motivational podcast, or chatting with a friend while you walk!

Foam roll

Something I need to do more often is get out my cute pink roller and foam roll my whole body! It’s an effective warm up or cool down for your muscles, and also helps to alleviate soreness, enhance muscle recovery, and increase flexibility. 

Stretching

Like walking, stretching is another perfect activity for our health, and is super accessible for everyone. You can do dynamic (slow, gentle stretches that incorporate movement) or static stretches (stretches where you hold – and if you can, go deeper with each breath). Even a few minutes every day releases tension and helps you feel more aligned.

Massage

Massages are another thing I need to do more often! I’m sure you know all about the benefits of massages; in essence they are an amazing way to relax the mind and body. One of my goals when I have disposable income is to get a massage every week :)

Sauna

One of my favorite wellness rituals is an infrared sauna! The main benefit of this therapeutic heat is that it promotes detoxification through sweating. It also enhances muscle recovery, increases circulation and oxygenation, and decreases inflammation throughout the body. In my opinion, one of the best benefits is that it promotes mind and body relaxation as well by balancing cortisol, our primary stress hormone.

Mind

We also need to relax our mind, just as we allow our bodies to relax and recover. 

Journaling

My weekly journaling session brings me so much peace. I like to reflect on the previous week, record my ideas, and write about what I’m grateful for. As someone whose mind often runs a million miles an hour, I definitely need this time to put pen to paper and get my thoughts out. 

Meditate

I love meditating, as it gives my mind a chance to calm down and take those slow, deep, rejuvenating breaths. 

Dream, get inspired, and get motivated

Especially if we’ve been feeling burnt out, it’s so much fun to watch some inspirational people on YouTube or listen to a podcast to reinvigorate our motivation! After you’ve re-energized your mindset, also take some time to daydream about your ideal life and set some goals!

Self expression

Another reason we want to avoid burnout is because it can stifle our creativity. To bring back my artistic side, I like to engage in some form of self expression. For me, dancing, writing, and just moving my body are perfect forms of self expression that allow my creative side to pour out of me. Do whatever you like that makes you feel artistic and lose track of time!

In conclusion, taking time for rest and recovery ignites our motivation, increases our happiness, and enables us to do more for others – because we’re giving from a place of abundance, rather than burnout. I encourage you to find the practices that bring you joy and peace, and honor the healthy habits that make you feel your best!