Just as you need to rest your eyes every now and then from reading a great book, you have to rest your body after a session of training for your favorite sport. Learn why recreation and rest, in addition to effective training and proper nutrition, is so important for helping you to succeed in the sport you love.
Train Hard, Rest Harder
There is a reason why people don’t over-train and listen to their bodies when they are feeling tired. Doing otherwise can fatigue muscles, keep your body from regenerating energy and can lead you to a dangerous road of injury. It’s easy to overdo it when you are training for sport, so you need to know when your body is telling you to slow down.
Listen to your body when you train hard by knowing the signs of rest. These signs include muscle cramping or seizing, blurred vision, extreme thirst, or the inability to cool down while training. Signs like these mean you need to take it easy and give your body a break.
Nutrition is your Literal Fuel
Just as a car needs quality gas in order to run well, you also need fuel to keep your body moving in pristine condition. The best foods for your body include carbohydrates and protein for energy, and as always, don’t forget to hydrate. Hydrate, hydrate and then hydrate some more to keep your body from wearing down.
Great foods to try are those that give you energy and help you build healthy muscle tissue. Foods like low-fat cheese, fish, nuts, seeds (such as sesame or sunflower) and whole grains, in addition to energy bars and sports drinks, can help you stay on track of your training regime by giving you the fuel you need to keep going strong.
Why Rest is so Important
It cannot be stressed enough that resting is important for your training body. In fact, resting is part of your training technique. Without rest, you cannot train, pure and simple. Make sure you get 8 hours of un-interrupted sleep every night with comfortable bedding, and for every hour that you train, be sure to get 15 minutes of downtime to allow your muscles time to relax and get regrouped for further intensity.
If you do not allow your body ample rest and instead choose to spend all of your time training, you will quickly learn that you’re sore muscles do not heal quickly. Without rest, you are more prone to injury and mistakes and your body will not be in pique condition no matter how hard you train or what foods you put into your body.
How to get the most out of your Downtime
How you spend your down time is an important part of any training regimen; make sure you don’t overtax your body and make sure you’re resting well. Treat yourself to something nice at a local mattress sale or buy yourself a new pillow–it’s the little things that will make all the difference in keeping your body operating at peak capacity. The right mattress will support your body frame and allow you to rest comfortably throughout the night so your muscles and mind are ready for action every morning when you wake up.
A good mattress should be firm and supportive of your body without being overbearing. In choosing the right mattress for your comfort and needs, you can experience a great night’s rest and be ready to train every day and stay in top condition.
Training in any sport is all about dedication, nutrition, hard training and recreation. Make sure you get the rest you need by having a great mattress you can rely on, and you will realize your training is stronger, your level of skill is increasing, and your overall health is better than ever before. The right mattress means everything when it comes to training well and balancing your recreation with your sport training.