Everything in moderation, including exercise. Over-training can damage your muscles and has a host of other bad health-effects. These include insomnia, mood-swings, sore muscles, a burnout and even amennorhea (the absence of a menstrual cycle). So, we can all see the importance of taking an off day from training and exertion. For beginners, you can try resting every third day or every other day; which means that you do about 4 workouts a week. If you’re a training buff, then you can survive with just one rest day per week; but you have to reduce your load every once in a while, say every 2 months. This will give your muscles time to heal, while keeping your body active.
These are some of the activities you can engage in on your rest day.
1. Yoga. Yoga is very relaxing and helps to tone your muscles as well. As a beginner, I would recommend taking yoga on your off-days. You can start with 15 minutes of dynamic yoga and as you get used to it, move up to a 45 minutes advanced. Let Leah Kim be your guide on NTC. More experienced people, can do the advanced yoga during their off days as a way to stretch their muscles out.
2. Brisk Walks. A brisk walk is like a full body stretch. Take a 30-minute walk in the evening around the campus, or your estate or even during your lunch break. It will also stimulate circulation in your limbs and your body in general.
3. Healthy Eating, keyword being healthy. Yeah, you can eat a pack of chips, maybe even 2. But really, your eating pattern should remain the same always so that your weight doesn’t fluctuate so much. Have fruits and drink lots of water as always.
4. Sleep. It is an off-day for a reason. Your body repairs itself, while you sleep; if you keep awake, you’re hurting yourself. Stress can lead to weight gain (cancelling out all your efforts) and even leaves you susceptible to disease. Does your bed not look good right now?
Now it’s time for me to take my own advice. Goodnight.