Having good rest periods in your workout routine – not just your 24 hour rest day, but an actual week-long rest period – can be key to your overall health and fitness.
Sounds counterproductive, doesn’t it?
How can NOT working out be good for you?
Our bodies are complex and working out typically puts your body into stress – it’s a good stress, but stress none-the-less.
Allowing your body time to truly rest allows for healing, prevents burn-out and injury, and will actually increase your progress when you return to your workout.
Studies have shown that taking a rest period every 6-8 weeks is highly beneficial to both your short term fitness goals and your long term overall health.
Scientists recommend taking a period of one week of rest time. This time allows your body – and mind – to rest, recover and rejuvenate. Meaning you can exert yourself – mentally and physically – even MORE when you return to your workout.
In order to maintain your highest level of muscle function and motivation every day, week, month, year – sometimes, rest is truly best!
Have you ever taken a one week break from your workout? Did you feel rejuvenated when you returned to your workout? Comment below!
