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Intuitive Rest Days — The Art of Listening to Your Body
As a physical therapist, I have seen many people struggle with finding the right balance between exercise and rest. While exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, it’s equally important to allow your body time to recover and rest. With that being said, I’m a fan of an intuitive approach to taking rest days, rather than having scheduled rest days.
The problem with scheduled rest days is that they can be inflexible and arbitrary. Many people follow a strict exercise schedule that includes rest days on certain days of the week, regardless of how their body feels. This can lead to overtraining, burnout, and even injury.
An intuitive approach to rest days, on the other hand, allows you to listen to your body and adjust your exercise routine accordingly. If you’re feeling tired, sore, or run down, you can take a rest day without feeling guilty or like you’re falling behind on your fitness goals. Conversely, if you’re feeling energized and strong, you can push yourself a little harder without worrying about sticking to a rigid schedule.
The key to an intuitive approach to rest days is paying attention to your body’s signals and trusting your instincts. This means being aware of your energy levels, your level of soreness, and any other physical or mental cues that suggest you need a break…
