Rest vs. Recovery
Rest and recovery are an important part of your fitness regime. But the two terms are not synonymous to each other. While resting is important to give your muscles a break, recovery helps in preventing sore muscles, cramping and other symptoms that you might feel after an intense workout. What is the difference between the two and when should you be incorporating them into your weekly HIIT routine?
Recovery refers to restoration and repair. Recovery doesn’t have to be strenuous, but it does require effort in terms of time and discipline. At HIIT Logic, we are constantly putting our muscles and bodies under periods of stress; it is important to supplement with activities that make our bodies feel good. Recovery can look different for everyone and can include things like massage, acupuncture, cupping, chiropractic care, PT visits, sauna, cold plunge, stretching, yoga and walking.
Rest days are those that lack effort and exertion. Rest days are equally as important as recovery periods and can ultimately contribute to recovery. Much like recovery routines, rest days look different for everyone. Even with a busy schedule, you should try to find a few hours in your week to do things that you enjoy that don’t involve exercise.
Recovery and rest days are not a one-size-fits-all approach. The most important thing to recognize with recovery and rest is listening to your body. If you’ve been dragging through workouts and are feeling extra sore– it’s probably time to incorporate rest and recovery. Here are some tips to add them into your routine so that they are less of a burden and become part of your active lifestyle:
- Schedule your recovery and rest times and make them non-negotiables. Sometimes when we schedule appointments for ourselves it is easy to put them aside or reschedule for a later date. Add these times in your schedule and make a commitment to keep dates with yourself. If you wouldn’t cancel on a family member, why would you cancel on yourself?
- Pick restorative and rest activities that you enjoy. If you like getting massages, find a local business and schedule for once a month. If you enjoy reading but haven’t picked up a book recently, make time for it and commit to the process of doing things you enjoy.
- Mix up your recovery and rest routines. If you’ve always wanted to try cryotherapy or a sensory deprivation tank– make an appointment! Trying new things allows us to break out of comfort zones and can help us discover new passions.