Exercise is a long-standing pillar to creating a successful wellness routine. Exercising looks different for everyone. Exercise can range from visiting your local gym for a workout class to dancing in your room–the possibilities are endless. The endless options of how to exercise gives us the opportunity to add diversity to one’s routine.
However, the opportunity to enhance your health does not begin and end with the type of exercise you do. There are actually many ways to increase the benefits of the exercise you are partaking in. Let’s discuss how you can elevate your routine to get the most out of your workouts.
Timing and Intention: Diving into the Reasoning and Scheduling of Physical Movement
Did you know that the timing of your workouts is just as important as the workout itself? The human body goes through a variety of different stages throughout the day that influences our hormones, energy levels, and ability to recuperate. While a morning workout can help to give your metabolism a boost and act as a slate cleaner for the day ahead, working out at night can be beneficial for those looking to be at their strongest during the workout.
The timing of your workout can also be intentionally aligned with your meal times. For some, exercising in a fasted state can help to boost fat burning whereas others might find that they feel stronger with some food for fuel in their system. Consider trying out both ways and take note of what feels better on your system.
It is also important to note the mental state that you are in during your workouts. Distraction can make it more difficult for your body to utilize the mind-body connection to its advantage and lead to impactful workouts. Instead, try working out with intention on your mind. Think about what you are hoping for the workout to help you accomplish. We understand that workout implementation can be a challenge on its own, but consider utilizing the power of timing and intention to make your exercise session more worth your while!
Why Rest and Rejuvenation is Crucial in Reaping All The Benefits of Exercise
In the world of fitness, it can be easy to feel as if you are never doing enough. The fitness community can have a go, go, go mindset that can contribute to an unhealthy relationship with exercise, because the truth is that resting is just as important as exercising. Matter of fact, the growth in your muscles and the benefits that exercise offers to us can only be achieved through resting after exercising.
During the resting process, your body heals micro-damage done to your tissues, restores your energy levels, and helps your body to become more resilient. While it can become instinct to schedule that next workout, make sure you are giving yourself days off throughout the week to avoid pushing your body over the edge. For those who are looking to reach a certain goal such as losing weight, skipping a workout can make them feel guilty. It is important to take note of your relationship towards exercising and ensure that you are building a connection that fosters positivity and not blame.
Resting has many different forms, but first and foremost, make sure that you are getting a proper amount of sleep each night. During deep sleep, your body works to reset your bodily functions including repairing your muscles and regulating your metabolic function. Setting the tone in your bedroom’s environment and drinking herbal tea are great ways to relax your body for a better night’s sleep.
During the day, you can utilize active recovery techniques such as foam rolling, stretching, and sitting in the sauna. These techniques help to enhance blood flow to damaged tissues without adding stress. It is crucial to also bring your mental state down from the act of exercising. When you exercise, your cortisol levels spike and you might get thrown into a state of fight or flight mode. Utilize meditative practices to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and reduce the cortisol that could get in the way of your recovery process.
This week, consider implementing rest days to your workout plan and take note of how you feel.
The Power of an Outdoor Workout and Why Your Environment Matters
Lastly, we want to touch on the power of your environment. The environmental landscapes that we choose to put ourselves in impacts us more than we might think. The smells, the lighting, and the air in which we workout can impact the effectiveness of said workout.
For example, there is a natural advantage to outdoor workouts to consider. In outdoor settings, you are exposed to varied terrain that can challenge your body in new ways, you are exposed to vitamin D which is a natural mood-booster, and you are taking in fresh air throughout your workout which is amazing for your overall health.
This being said, there are also ways to elevate your indoor workouts through your environment. Try to workout in spaces with natural light, proper airflow, stable temperatures, and little to no distraction. While cooler temperatures can help to improve one’s endurance and reduce the chances of experiencing fatigue, warmer temperatures might also have its advantages when you are properly prepared. In this day and age, group workout classes can often be held in a heated workout room to help make muscles more pliable and increase one’s cardiovascular health (keep in mind that this environment can be harmful to those who are sensitive to the heat). It all comes down to your body’s personal needs and what goals you are hoping to achieve.
As discussed, the impact of a workout does not begin and end with the exercise. By looking at all aspects of the workout and your post-workout tendencies, you can work to maximize the impact of your workout routine by implementing small changes wherever needed. Remember, the journey to successfully achieving your wellness goals takes into consideration more than just one aspect or another. Let’s work to improve our exercise routine today.