We hope this doesn’t come across as insulting, but if you look at anyone after they’ve finished a heavy workout, they don’t look their best. That’s okay, it happens to us too. The hard work can leave us exhausted, depleted, even if we do feel somewhat energized by virtue of moving ourselves and getting out there.
But what exercise helps you feel fresh, clean and restored? Is there a point where you can go to the gym not only to feel exhausted and shred of the energy you do have, and instead liken it to a clean shower, a long restful sleep, or the kind of reset and clarity of thinking when you give up screentime and read more?
It’s an interesting question, because few of us think of exercise like that. But there are measures you can use to make it more likely. Let’s explore that, below:
Consider Recovery Practices
Recovery might sound like something that happens after the workout, but it can also be included right into how you approach exercise in the first place.If you’re constantly pushing yourself to that red-faced, gasping point every single time, your body never gets the chance to actually feel good during the process. You could try building in gentle stretches between your sets, or maybe spending the last ten minutes doing something restorative rather than one final brutal push.
For instance, some people find that foam rolling or light mobility work right after their main exercises helps them leave feeling refreshed rather than completely drained, as you can begin to promote healing after you’ve gone through the harder part.
Hot Yoga & Workouts
The heat changes everything about how exercise feels on your body and mind. Hot yoga studios such as those offered by HOTWORX create this warm, almost cocoon-like environment where your muscles can relax into stretches that might feel impossible in a cold room. On the surface, sweating in that controlled, peaceful setting might not sound comfortable, but it genuinely feels more cleansing than exhausting. You’ll get used to it sooner than you think, especially with a good instructor.
Water-Based Sports
Water, of course, is known for supporting your body while still giving you a solid workout. Swimming laps can be meditative, and the water holds you up while you move, but because of that it’s excellent for training every single muscle group in cardio.
Pool workouts or water aerobics are good too, because they can be surprisingly challenging while still leaving you feeling light and refreshed. The water provides resistance for your muscles to work against, but it also massages and supports you at the same time. If you’re tired of feeling sweaty and completely uncomfortable in gym clothes, maybe you just want to spend more time in the water at your local pool swimming lengths, or taking a class that helps you feel weightless. It’s a good alternative you might not have tried.
With this advice, we hope you can feel more fresh, clean and restored despite what you may conventionally assume to be the standards of exercise.
