But feeling tired during two workouts in a row is a sign that you need a rest day. Once you notice that your usual workouts seem much harder than they normally do, it's time to take a break. A good rule of thumb is: that if you don't feel any better after your warm-up, you are probably too tired for the workout.
The best way to tell you need a rest day is to listen to your body. If you find you're dreading your workout, feel worn down, or have an inclination that you might be overdoing it, take a rest day.
If you are experiencing joint pain, cramping, headaches, and muscle fatigue, it could be a sign that your body is breaking down and needs some rest to recover and become less inflamed, says Dr. Douglas Bibus, Coromega Scientific Advisory Board Member, over email with Bustle.
Rest is vital for better mental health, increased concentration and memory, a healthier immune system, reduced stress, improved mood and even a better metabolism.
If you continue your usual exercise regimen even when you're sore, you're not giving your muscles enough time to heal. In fact, pushing yourself during a bout of soreness can eventually lead to an overuse injury. Overall, you're at risk of causing harm to your body by not resting.
Without proper rest, your body and muscles don't have the necessary time to rebuild and rejuvenate, which can cause some nasty side effects. “If we don't give our body rest days, the stress will add up. Cortisol levels will become chronically elevated.
The Answer? Rest One or Two Days Per Week. For the best performance and to reach your goals in the safest and most effective way possible, plan for one to two rest days per week.
Rest day is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of low impact workouts such as yoga or Pilates. Or simply take a walk. The idea is to take a break from those hardcore gym workouts, yet keep your body moving. Aim for 30-45 minutes of light recovery exercise on rest day.
You should try to get some type of movement every day even if you are feeling exhausted. “Any movement is better than staying sedentary,” says Dr. Mittal. “During those times when I'm really tired, what I say to myself is that I need to move because I want to continue to be able to move,” says Fevens.
Soreness is considered normal if it occurs between 24-72 hours after a workout, and if it does not prevent you from completing normal daily activities. If it lasts longer than this, or is so intense that it prevents you from functioning normally, it could be a sign of significant damage.
You're sleep deprived
Exercising when you're running on empty also increases your risk of injury. So if you're exhausted, the best thing you can do for your body is to get a good night of rest and get back in the gym the next day.
Downtime between workouts (whether you're lifting, doing cardio or training for a sport) is when our bodies have a chance to actually build muscle. Strenuous workouts cause muscle breakdown, while rest allows our bodies to build it back up.
Some research suggests that you can start to lose muscle in as quickly as one week of inactivity - as much as 2 pounds if you are fully immobilized (3). And another study suggests your muscle size can decrease by about 11% after ten days without exercise, even when you aren't bed ridden (4).
It's recommended to rest for 72 hours before working out the same muscle group again. This gives your body the time it needs for muscle recovery and growth without risking injury from overtraining or under-recovery.
You need a day off
If you're unenthused, feel heavy, sore, are underslept and can't really feel the benefit of doing a workout, take a day or two off. You'll likely come back the next day feeling enthused and more energetic. Note: Include 1-2 days minimum of rest per week.
While quality sleep is critical to feeling whole, rest is so much more than your nightly hours of shut-eye. Rest involves your whole being, not just your body. With complete and regular rest, you will restore your health, enhance your performance and achieve an amazing sense of wellness.
Lack of physical or mental energy. Inability to stay awake or alert. Accidentally falling asleep, such as when driving or operating heavy machinery. Inability to maintain or complete an activity.
A rest day is a day in which a person takes a break from their regular workout routine. Rest days are an important part of any exercise program. They give the body a chance to repair and recover, and help to prevent injury. A person should plan to have at least one rest day every 7–10 days.
REST DAY NUTRIENTS
Aim for 20-30g protein every 2-4 hours throughout the day. This will support recovery by keeping your intake of amino acids steady. Focus on natural, complex carbs from wholegrains, potatoes and root vegetables, and fruits as these will deliver important vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
In fact, studies show that injury rates decline and exercise performance increases when rest days are incorporated into a healthy physical activity routine. Aim for 1 full rest day per week, but listen to your body. If you train hard multiple days per week, your body may need 2-3 rest days each week.
If you're sore the next day, it's probably a good idea to take it easy. Try some light exercise, like walking, while your muscles rest. Ice, anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen, massage, a warm bath, or gentle stretching may provide some relief.