September 16, 2021

The Importance Of Recovery

Isn’t it odd that recovery is the most important element to performance and exercise, yet often it is the most difficult thing to do?

It has taken me a very long time to acknowledge the importance of recovery and Peach, it is CRUCIAL.

When we begin to see progress and establish habits of regular exercise, we also face the challenge of an unhealthy addiction to our endorphin rush. We become addicted to the burn and because of this addiction, we quite often miss the signs that our body is IN REAL PAIN.

It is no longer the juicy burn in our butts that we love: it is exhaustion… an effort, an ache.

Sometimes, we don’t realise that we are no longer pushing ourselves for progression, rather we are pushing ourselves to depletion.

Our society encourages a very fast-paced, adrenaline fuelled, highly stressful life. We are conditioned to feel guilty if we stop and breathe. This life is teaching us to be too proud to be ‘lazy’. Thus, we live in a constant fight or flight mode.

To maintain a healthy relationship with exercise, there must be a balance with the right amount of RECOVERY – this is where you will thrive. When recuperation is compromised, we begin to over-work the body and mind. Prioritising rest does not equate to ‘lazy’!

There is nothing successful, impressive or inspiring about running yourself into the ground.

Here are a few tricks that we use at Peaches to prevent the waddle (you know that over trained gait) & help the ‘sitting on the toilet pain’ after too many horse kicks. Simple tips to add into your daily routine, that can help save you from the dreaded burnout.

1. It has been said that if you are to take only one supplement – make sure it’s Magnesium. Magnesium plays a crucial role in over 300 enzyme reactions in our body with its major functions being helping with nerve and muscle function, regulating blood pressure and supporting our immune systems.

We LOVE BioCeuticals Ultra Muscleze Night Powder which is also super beneficial for sleep. Magnesium spray & creams are also wonderful.

2. Epsom Salt baths – If you are lucky enough to have a bath -n these bad boys will save you. I also have an epsom salt bath to ease period pain. Epsom salts are known to soothe tired muscles, reduce swelling, control rapid heart rates, relieve headaches and honestly, who doesn’t just love a good bubble bath.

3. Foam rolling, stretching & a cool down straight after your workout. This is the real deal, Peach. All of these exercises relieve muscle tightness, soreness and inflammation. Beyond this, when you add in these simple recovery steps you will see an increase in your joint range of motion which essentially increases your flexibility and prevents injury.

4. Water & lot’s of it. H2O guys. It’s simple. We are cucumbers with emotions. Water assists in flushing waste out of your system, regulating your body temperature, improves brain functioning, adds a glow to your skin, protects our tissues, spinal cord and joints, and helps to maximise physical performance – if you’re not prioritising water, you really don’t like yourself very much.

5. After a workout, your body works super hard to rebuild its glycogen stores as well as repairing and regrowing your muscle proteins. It is incredibly important to eat nourishing meals post workout to help your body do this. Carbs and proteins are particularly important in this process.

6. Prioritising and learning to LOVE sleep. Sleep is sometimes placed in the same category as recovery, we know we need it but we just don’t have the time for it, always putting something else (such as work and socialising) first. To be get straight to the point (just like our workouts), sleep will: Boost your immune functioning, improve your daily mood, improve memory, help prevent weight gain and strengthen your heart.

Let’s turn the screens off a little earlier, jump into bed, read a book, get some lavender oil on your bed, try an eye mask and let your body do it’s thing.

7. Avoiding alcohol – Our bodies see alcohol as a toxin, we process it as quickly as possible and so it will take over your metabolism in that period. This interferes with other recovery processes occurring after exercise. One of these processes includes protein synthesis, which is how your muscles recover and grow.