New Exercise Routine? 4 Stress Relieving Ways to Boost Your Recovery

Recovery is key for maintaining any physical routines and general wellbeing.

We all know the feeling when you’ve undertaken a new exercise routine. After a couple of sessions, you’re feeling great, motivated and ready to take on the world.

This often changes after a week or so because your body isn’t feeling the same way. Your legs are aching and you’ve lost the desire to continue.

This is when many people give up.

If you’re trying to maintain a regular exercise routine, muscle soreness is a sure way to keep you from being at your best.

The good news - there are many ways to boost your recovery.

Here are four unconventional (and relaxing) ways to get you back on track.

1) Lift up your legs against a wall

A simple, grounding exercise that helps to promote blood flow.

Simply lay back and lift your legs up against a wall and relax for a minute or two. When you’re done, lower your legs down and move onto your side.

This restorative pose may help to reduce stress and calm your mind. Of course, be mindful of your body and skip if it feels uncomfortable.

2) Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy is the latest and greatest in wellness therapies.

Lay down in a comfortable capsule and read, meditate or sleep for an hour.

Atmospheric pressure within the capsule increases, providing oxygen into parts of the body that need it.

And don’t worry, the pressure is comfortable and the capsule non-claustrophobic.

The increased pressure helps increase the availability of oxygen in your blood plasma, which can help reduce inflammation in your sore and tired muscles.

If you’re wanting to try oxygen therapy, we recommend you try the AirPod.

3) Reduce Stress through Mindfulness

High stress and pressures affect the optimal functioning of your body.

Mindfulness meditation is an ancient practice that has transcended into modern western society.

Tip - Search for a meditation app (such as Headspace) on the iTunes store and complete a guided meditation each time you use an infrared sauna. 

A 2014 study concluded that “...mindfulness-based stress reduction appears to be a promising modality for stress management”.

2. Sharma, M., & Rush, S. E. (2014). Mindfulness-based stress reduction as a stress management intervention for healthy individuals a systematic review.

Try meditating for 30 days and watch how it affects your stress levels and general sense of wellbeing.

4) Stretch in a Sunlighten sauna

Have you experienced the benefits of Infrared Therapy for improving circulation and reducing inflammation?

During your sessions, perform a stretching routine in order to complement your increased blood circulation. According to one study, this could give you better flexibility, particularly in the hips, hamstrings and lower back. View study

Bonus Tip:

Getting quality shut-eye is a must. At least 7-9 hours of sleep and transform your recovery time substantially.

Sleep deprivation has huge repercussions on your general health and recovery.

Sleep triggers the release of human growth hormone (HGH) (see study), which plays a huge role in muscle and cellular regeneration. It can also boost athletic performance (see study).

Conclusion

We all know the importance of regular exercise to your wellbeing. Don’t fall short by neglecting your recovery. It can be as relaxing as the rituals listed above.

Have you utilised any of these for recovery? Let us know which you have used in the comments below.

*Sunlighten does not provide medical advice. We recommend you consult with a health care practitioner if you are unsure if using an infrared sauna is right for you. For best results, our saunas should be used in conjunction with an appropriate diet and exercise program. Individual results may vary.