My 5 Favourite Ways to Recover
Right, so I ain't no athlete, but I do take my health seriously. I've always loved experimenting with different routines, nutrition and exercises to see what allows me to live most vibrantly and optimally. I'm also blessed to be in the health and wellness world, which has exposed me to many different perspectives and practices.
What do I mean by recovery? What am I recovering from? Well, the answer can be as simple as recovering from life. You don't need to be a powerlifter or marathon runner to need recovery tools. Life can be demanding. Sometimes we don't get enough sleep before a long workday, or we accumulate stress that requires unravelling. Recovery tools can absolutely help with day-to-day life. Personally, I've always loved being active, whether that's running or weightlifting. I got my first gym membership at 16 and never looked back. On an average week, I'll hit my Peloton four times, weight lift 2-3 times and do Yoga most days. It's not insane, but I take my recovery seriously. Recovery is an opportunity for your body to find homeostasis. If you've been sympathetic dominant (for example, a higher heart rate due to training), then there needs to be an opportunity for the body to counterbalance that. Although we get told to push, push, push, the body doesn't respond well to that. Being smart with your training and allowing proper recovery will get you much further and will be a much more compassionate way of treating your body than force.
Here are my absolute musts for recovering. (Warning - Sports science is wild - there are many different perspectives, and more research is needed. I will stay away from science and speak only from experience).
Yoga.
I bet you didn't see that coming! I could go on and on about fascia and the nervous system, but please trust me that Yoga is much more than just stretching your muscles. Yes, it will help with that, but the profound benefits of breathing and getting still will be a game changer for you. If you are using Yoga as active recovery, I suggest a slow-paced flow, yin or restorative class. And I just so happen to know where you can find a killer yoga studio in Glasgow :)
Myofascia Release.
MFR is a fancy way of saying self-massage with tennis balls or foam rollers. MFR is super helpful for hydrating your tissues, increasing blood flow and calming your nervous system. And for you busy folk, the best part is that MFR can be done quickly, so you don't need to invest a lot of time to see the benefits. All you need are some tennis balls or a foam roller (I am affiliated with Meglio as they are a local brand with great recovery products. Use TKCYS10 for a discount!).
Magnesium Biglysiante.
Sleep is MEGA. I have the most beautiful sleep with a couple of supplements, and magnesium is one of them. If I don't sleep well, I am not my best self, so this is very important to me (it's so important I've done a whole other blog on it).
Reishi Mushrooms.
Made by my trusted friends at Puresport. My sleep is next level with this stuff. It's really good for inflammation and supporting the immune system as well. I thought my sleep was good before, but this is a whole new depth I'm reaching (note - I am affiliated with puresport. Please use SWY20 for a discount!).
CBD Oil.
Also by my friends as Puresport. In addition to getting a night of great sleep, it helps with day-to-day stress and inflammation. I use the Unwind Oil or the 1000mg oil.
And if you can't find time for any of those, give yourself a couple of minutes after training or before bed to get quiet, close your eyes and take in some long, slow breaths.
Happy recovery, my friends!