Everyone knows exercise is good for your health. Too much of it without a proper break can actually be detrimental, though. Taking a rest day allows your body to recover and prevents burnout. It helps alleviate muscle soreness by removing excess lactate from the muscles, and it's good for repairing muscles and replenishing energy stores — both important for staying injury-free and preparing for the next workouts.
Signs You Need a Rest Day
Paying attention to how your body reacts to workouts tells you whether you need a rest day. Signs include persistent soreness or pain, being unable to complete the workout, sluggishness afterward, binge eating, increased injuries or illnesses, changes in mood, and reduced benefits from your workouts. Instead of forcing yourself through all these issues, take a day to work on a hobby or do light exercise. Go for a walk, hang out with friends, or do stuff around the house. Taking that break from hard exercise can be beneficial in more ways than one.
What if I Do Not Take a Rest Day?
Not taking a rest day means your body doesn't get the chance to fully recover. This can deplete the energy stored in your muscles, which causes your body to use protein for energy — meaning less protein for building and repairing muscle. Continually exercising can also be mentally exhausting. Taking that break helps you avoid burnout and keeps your mind sharp. Lastly, ignoring the signs and continually pushing through can lead to an injury that keeps you away from your workouts far longer than the breaks would.