Sometimes, the best cure for a stressful day is a good gym session. A lot of people find the gym as a way to clear their minds and rewind from the day. That’s why the gym is always so packed in the late afternoon. People tend to work out after a long day. You might think that going to the gym after a stressful day is the perfect solution and a way to unwind but is it?
Not necessarily. Working out, especially to excess, can be detrimental to your body. Although going to the gym after a stressful day might sound like a good idea, working out puts a lot of stress on your body. In fact, working out strains your body, which is precisely the opposite of what you want after a stressful day. Although exercise can be relaxing for your mind, it is not relaxing for your body. Working out too much can cause you to get weaker.
However, just because doing a super intense workout after a stressful day isn’t the best solution, that doesn’t mean you can’t work out at all. If you’re feeling extra stressed and high-strung one day, skip the intense HIIT class or 2-hour gym session and opt for something that is going to be lighter on your body.
Maybe take a relaxing yoga class instead. Or even go for a short run or a walk around the neighborhood. What’s important is to get your body moving, that in itself will help to clear your head!
So next time you’re itching for the gym after a stressful day, think if that really would be the solution. Instead, go on a light run and do some stretching and end the day off with some tea. That way, your mind, and body will be relaxed, without running the risk of overworking your muscles.
