When you’re working out, you’re in the moment. You’re feeling the power and enjoying the adrenaline. However, the next day is a different story. It’s pretty normal for you to wake up sore and stiff after a challenging (or even light) workout. We hear a lot about muscle pain, but we have the tips and tricks you need to get back on your feet.
Here are five ways to prevent the soreness and heal it quickly:
1. Stretch Well
Stretching is an oft-overlooked aspect of exercise. No matter how you eat and live, your muscles need to be stretched. It’s best to stretch them before and after each workout as well as before bed.
2. Drink Water
Muscles need water. Dehydrated muscles lead to cramps and post-workout soreness. Hydrate before exercise, during, and especially afterward.
3. Calcium/Magnesium
This is a supplement you should look into. Calcium with magnesium feeds the muscles with what they need to grow, contract, and relax. Taking this before will aid your sleep and avoid nighttime cramping.
4. Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol dehydrate your muscles and deplete your body of calcium and magnesium. If you do have one of the above, drink extra water and boost your vitamins/minerals intake.
5. Heat and Eucalyptus
High-quality, non-diluted, unprocessed Eucalyptus essential oil (like our pharmaceutical-grade Eucalyptus) has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that make it a great option when treating sore or over-exercised muscles. It can relax stiff muscles, allowing for pain relief and ease in range of motion and muscle movement. The best way to enjoy Eucalyptus is in the steam of a shower or in the heat of the sauna.
Here are some ways to apply Eucalyptus to your sore muscles:
- Add 3-5 drops of straight Eucalyptus oil directly onto sore muscles. Slowly massage into skin.
- Add 15-50 drops of Eucalyptus oil to a hot bath. The heat of the water, combined with the Eucalyptus, encourages muscles to relax and reduces next-day stiffness. For additional benefits, add Epsom salts to the water.
- The easiest option is to use our Pure Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist and spray it into the hot steam of your shower, or into the warmth of any sauna or steam room. You’ll not only enjoy the relaxation in your muscles, but you’ll also be breathing in the anti-inflammatory properties of the eucalyptus.
Leave Soreness Behind
The body has an amazing ability to heal itself when supported well through healthy lifestyle habits. Pain in the body is also a sign of something else going on, so in addition to getting relief naturally, be sure to investigate the cause with your doctor or natural medicine practitioner.