When You Should Take A Rest Day & When You Should Push Through

It took me many, many years to learn whether I need to take a day off from exercising or if I should push through the discomfort. If any of these statements sound like you, it's time for a rest:

If any of these statements sound like you, it's time to push through and challenge yourself with an invigorating workout (within reason):

And for those days when you genuinely don't know what to do, when you're having a hard time listening to your body because your brain wants to workout but your body might not be cooperating, try starting softly with a yoga sequence or a brisk walk. If you're still not into it after ten minutes, stop. You're allowed to give your body a break if that's what it's asking for. You won't get in trouble for resting. However, if those days off are hard for your mind, if you rely on daily exercise to calm or invigorate or just make you feel good, try to do something that's good for your body and will keep your head busy. My favorite is to schedule a massage, as it's the perfect treat for an athletic body during rest days. I also like making crafts with my daughter, binge-watching Netflix, reading, having long phone chats with a loved one or friend ... all ways to celebrate other activities I love to do. My final recommendation is meditation, a crucial part of general wellness and recovery. Taking the time to sit and reflect in silence gives us the opportunity to find mental relaxation without movement. So remember, honor your body and what it's trying to tell you every day. It's the only one you get.