When it comes to achieving a fitness goal, we often focus on getting in all our workouts and finding ways to remain motivated, even on days when we really don’t feel like hitting the gym. But that doesn’t take into account the importance of a rest day. Rest days lower your risk of injury, allow for proper tissue growth and repair after a tough session, help you sleep better, and, overall, lead to enhanced performance when used properly.
But how do you know when you need to rest rather than working out? For starters, if you’re sick, injured, dehydrated, didn’t sleep well, or aren’t well-fueled, a rest day is a smart idea. When you feel drained — physically or mentally — or find your workout exceptionally hard, that’s your body asking for a break. And, of course, if you had a particularly tough training session the day before, today should be a recovery day. You can learn more about the benefits of taking a rest day, plus get some tips for active recovery, in this handy graphic.
