Sunny days, warm temperatures and fresh blooms… Spring makes us want to go outside to play! Cycling, soccer, golf or jogging: so many outdoor activities become more and more tempting as the weather gets warmer. It’s the perfect time to start working out again and expand the range of sports you practise.
With all this physical activity, soreness and muscle pain are inevitable. Discover our post-workout homeopathic remedies for natural recovery!
The effects of training on your body
Exercise is demanding on the body. The risk of dehydration and straining your muscles beyond their capacity is real. This is why it is important to listen to your body’s signals and finish your training with a recovery phase to avoid exercise fatigue.
Pain experienced immediately after exercise is usually attributed to lactic acid produced by the muscles. Most people also experience muscle pain 24 to 48 hours after exercise. Scientists don’t know the exact cause of these pains and attribute them to a combination of factors.
A post-workout recovery routine will help you reduce soreness and restore your energy level. People who start training after a long period of inactivity or who suffer from health-related issues should always consult a health professional to establish a personalized workout program.
Stretch regularly
Contrary to popular belief, the best time to stretch your muscles is not immediately after training. Instead, it’s better to warm up beforehand by activating your cardio. This step will prepare your muscles and joints for all the physical activity to come.
After cardiovascular activation, short-term stretching that involves the contraction of a muscle is the perfect way to get your body ready.
Between your workouts, try doing some static stretching to maintain or increase your flexibility. Static stretches are repetitive and each one should be held for at least 30 seconds.
Drink enough water
When you exercise, your body loses a lot of water as movements cause evaporation through sweat. If you sweat a lot during exercise, you will lose a significant amount of water and electrolytes.
To recover properly, your body needs to maintain good hydration levels. It’s important to drink enough water during exercise, but also before and after. Proper hydration allows your muscles to function to their full capacity and helps eliminate toxins accumulated during exercise.
After intense effort, an electrolyte drink can help your body recover quickly. However, avoid very sugary, alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, as they can lead to more dehydration.
Add natural painkillers to your routine
It’s impossible to completely eliminate muscle and joint pain after a workout session. However, several homeopathic products can relieve these undesirable effects by directly targeting the areas where you experience pain.
Homeocan’s Traumacare line is specifically designed to help you say goodbye to muscle pain quickly and effectively. This line is available in different formats such as cream, tablets, gel, spray or drops. Our Arnica Cream is also perfect for massages when experiencing soreness.
All these products will give you a quick relief to help you recover, thanks to two key natural ingredients ; arnica montana, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and calendula, which is very soothing.
Healthy eating
To recover properly after exercising, healthy eating is key as it allows your body to recharge. The most important thing is to eat carbohydrates and proteins. Carbohydrates will help you regain energy, while proteins will provide you the amino acids needed to repair your muscles. Not eating enough can increase fatigue and inhibit the recovery process.
The best time to eat a snack is 45 minutes after you exercise, but you should still benefit from it if you eat within 2 hours. Your snack should consist of vegetable or animal proteins, whole starches, vegetables or fruit.
Your diet can be adjusted according to the sport you practise. For example, if you do strength training, you should aim to eat about two times more carbohydrates than proteins, compared to 3 times more for aerobic exercises.
Take advantage of the benefits of essential oils
Did you know that some essential oils can help relieve muscle pain? That’s right! Aromatherapy is beneficial after a good workout as some essential oils, like our True Lavender one, have anti-inflammatory properties.
To enjoy their benefits to the fullest, try our Traumacare Essential Oil Spray! Made of menthol, eucalyptus and clove, simply spray it where needed and massage your muscles to relieve soreness.
Restful sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for recovery after training. While you sleep, your body regenerates muscle tissue, drains toxins and replenishes energy reserves.
With these tips, you increase your chances of recovering naturally. Reactions to exercise vary from person to person, so it’s important to keep an open mind and adapt to your body’s needs.
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