Hitting the gym, going for a run, a strenuous hike, or any kind of exercise is a great way to stay fit and healthy, and it can also be a lot of fun if you love the activity you’re doing. While it is important to make sure you are getting in enough exercise each week, a tougher workout can often leave you feeling stiff and sore in the following days. Usually, this is nothing serious, but it can be very uncomfortable and put you out of action until your body has recovered. If you would like to reduce your aches and pains after a workout so you can carry out your daily routine with ease, try the following.
Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs
It’s always a good idea to do your warm-ups and cool-downs after a workout to help your body acclimatize to the change in pace. Stopping your workouts abruptly, especially the more challenging ones, can result in your muscles seizing up and leave you feeling stiff. Help your muscles get ready for exercise by limbering them up and gently get the blood pumping around your body before you go into the main stage of your workouts, and then stretch afterward as your heart rate slows to a normal pace.
Use Ice Packs
If you have pulled or sprained a muscle during your workout, you should get some ice on the affected area as soon as possible. This will help to reduce the swelling and should improve your comfort levels. Keep the cold compress on your injury for around 15 minutes, and keep the area elevated if you can. You may want to repeatedly apply ice throughout the rest of the evening at different intervals if you are still uncomfortable. If the swelling does not go down, go to a doctor or the ER as the injury might be more significant than you first thought.
Anti-inflammatory Medications
If you are starting to ache in the evening after your workout or the following morning, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen could help, as your muscles will like to have mild swelling and tenderness while they recover. If you want to try a more holistic remedy for this, CBD oil or gummies could be a good option for you, as CBD has this same quality. Look at the top CBD gummies UK to get an idea of what is available.
Take a Warm Bath
If you haven’t got a specific injury but would like to try and reduce aching the following morning after a workout, taking a warm bath or shower when you get home could be a good idea. Not only will it help you feel clean and refreshed after working up a sweat, but the warmth of the water can help to relax your muscles. Epsom salts and muscle-soothing bath soaks should also be used for maximum effectiveness.
If you would like to reduce the aches and pains that can often occur after a rigorous workout, try these tips and see how much of a difference they can make.