4 Post Workout Recovery Tactics

It’s sad to admit, but trying to get back in shape again has been a painful experience. My poor muscles are screaming obscenities at suddenly being used again when they have happily enjoyed their nearly year long vacation. I’ve been holding my own cuss words inside as I humbly limp and waddle around trying to manage on legs so sore it makes any movement a challenge. So, more than ever before I’ve been turning to some recovery tactics to help ease the recovery pain. Overall I think they do help speed up the recovery time, and at the very least they feel like I’m pampering myself, and we could probably all use a little of that. 

Epsom Salt Bath

This one is pretty much a no brainer, and something everyone probably knows to do, but if I have an excuse to run a hot bath and spend a few minutes unwinding while it goes to work on my achy self I’ll take it. I like to soak my empty essential oil bottles in epsom salts as part of the cleaning process so I can reuse the bottles. The salts soak up the last few drops of oils and wah la! I’ve got homemade bath salts! I save the bath salts with Panaway and Peppermint for this very purpose.

Magnesium & Essential Oil Rubdown

One of my favorite ways to get magnesium (and the most efficient and effective) is applying magnesium oil topically. Magnesium is the 4th most abundant mineral in the body, and according to some studies may be the first mineral to be depleted during a hard workout. It’s critical for regulating muscle and nerve tones, and can help prevent inflammation and speed up muscle recovery. The Panaway essential oil blend is kind of like the Bengay of the oil world. It helps move oxygen into the tissues to help promote healing, and helps soothe aches and pains with it’s wonderful minty freshness. When I’m dealing with sore muscles I mix a few sprays of magnesium oil with my almond oil and a few drops of Panaway to help ease the pain. 4 sprays contains approximately 66mg of elemental magnesium that is absorbs directly by your body’s biggest organ. 

Stretching

Another no brainer, but important nonetheless. The current workout program I’m using builds in LISS (low intensity steady state) workouts every other day, so I’ve used those days to get back to yoga. Stretching your muscles and releasing all the acid that has built up does wonders for recovery. 

Work Out the Kinks by Working Out

This might seem counterintuitive, but once you’ve moved past the crippling sore days and given your body a chance to rest and recover, work out the last few kinky muscles with a good workout. It’s probably a good idea to skip the super high intensity workouts until you are fully recovered, so aim for something that will get your heart rate up and your muscles warm. It’s like a little massage for your achy muscles.This almost always makes me feel much better afterwards.