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How do you feel on Sunday night after working all weekend in your yard or after doing a marathon of home repair or house cleaning? As if youd rather not move for hours, right?
In order to prevent muscle stiffness and soreness, try these suggestions below before relaxing for the night.
Move more now: Even though you might want to flop onto the coach, cold drink in hand, first move a little more. Slowly and gently is fine. Get the blood flowing into those sore muscles by simply walking around the house or around your neighborhood or by raising your arms over your head while breathing deeply.
Stretch: Before relaxing in your recliner, stretch your muscles before they stiffen and help them to become more pliable and flexible. As oxygen flows into your muscles, youll speed their recovery. Whether you choose yoga, Pilates or stretches of your own, heres a bonus: Dr. Andrew Weil says muscles contain stretch receptors, which can improve your mood.
Drink water: Water is the ultimate rehydrator. Avoid caffeine and alcohol because they dehydrate you.
Feel kneaded: Gently massage overworked muscles, which will prompt nutrient-rich blood to flow through and replenish them. Better yet, get a massage from someone you like.
Pack in protein: Your muscles are hungry after exertion. They crave protein. Choose natural sources such as fish, poultry, lean meats, nuts, lentils and quinoa.
Hydrotherapy: A warm bath cures many ills and always helps ease stiff muscles. Youll also sleep better after a bath, which can help you feel refreshed the next morning. If youre brave, try a hot/cold treatment, alternating water temperatures every couple minutes, to open blood vessels more.
Ease back in: When your muscles are feeling rested, ease back into your normal fitness program gradually so your body has time to catch up with all the plans you have.
Remember, the most effective way to relieve muscle soreness after an active weekend is to move a bit more, drink lots of water and nourish your muscles back to health.
Norwalk-based Kristen Hallett Rzasa is the owner of InterPlay Health LLC and Jazzercise. She is an entrepreneur, dancer, instructor, writer, yogi, golfer and avid reader.
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