Whether you love the gym or hate it, we all know how great exercise is for our mind, body and soul. There’s nothing like the thrill when you hit a new personal record on your deadlift or nail a yoga pose that’s been eluding you for months. You take great care to set yourself up for the perfect workout by getting plenty of sleep, making sure everything you need is in your bag and by absolutely killing it when you hit the gym. One thing a lot of us don’t think about is aftercare. What’s the best way to move from your workout to the next item on your to do list?
Stretch
Cool downs and stretching are often ignored because we’re in a hurry to get out of the gym and onto the next thing but it’s honestly so important. Cooling down and stretching is key because it reduces the likelihood of injury and muscle pains the next day and gives your heart a chance to return to its normal rhythm, especially if you’ve been doing intense cardio.
Have a nutritious post workout snack
You can eat before a workout, of course, and if you’re a runner you may want to get some extra carbs for energy. However, if you’re looking to tone and build muscle like many of us are, a protein shake or some yogurt and nuts can be the perfect snack to help refuel the body and stimulate muscle growth. It’s also key because if you don’t eat after working out, you might feel more hungry than usual when you get to your next meal and nobody wants that.
Keep track of your workout
Keeping a journal with everything you accomplished during your workout can be incredibly motivating, especially if you’re feeling frustrated with not hitting certain goals. It’s great to look back at everything you’ve done and pat yourself on the back for how far you’ve come. Remembering that joy that came when you were able to lift 60 lbs instead of 50 lbs can make you want to work just a little harder next time and cultivate patience!
Take a cool shower
When you’re warm and sweaty, a shower can feel like the most luxurious thing in the world and it absolutely is. Make it your time. Wash your hair, use a scrub (like our CBD Coffee Scrub!) and after you’re all clean and ready for the rest of your day, take some time to use a soothing cream like our CBD Gym Fit Cream for maximum lux vibes.
If you take the time to properly wind down from the gym, it becomes more of a meditative experience, leaving you feeling great and ready to tackle the day. Nobody wants to do much of anything with a sweaty bun and runny mascara after a long cardio session but spending some time taking care of ourselves after? Don’t mind if we do!