6 Ways to Bring Self-Care Into Your Fitness Routine

Fitness is very much a form of self-care. Having a regular and reliable exercise routine is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind, as well as being an excellent foundation for building better habits. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. LaBella Cosmetic Surgery offers some easy ways you can make your fitness routine more grounded in self-care.

Eat Well for Your Workouts

 The food you eat has a huge impact on your overall physical and mental well-being, perhaps more so than any other factor. It can also strongly influence our fitness habits and the success of our workouts. Be mindful of what you eat before and after your workouts in order to effectively regulate your energy. For example, whey protein can be a great supplement to fuel your workout or to help you recover. Remember, the best choices to prepare you for working out should include a source of simple carbs and a source of protein. This also applies if you are just having a quick snack (e.g: rice crackers with peanut butter) or a meal (e.g: salmon, quinoa, and veggies). And of course, don’t forget to stay properly hydrated throughout the day.

Exercise Mindfully

 Mindfulness is most often associated with meditation, which involves sitting or lying down — not quite a heavy workout. However, it is possible to meditate through exercise, a process which can help you to get more from your workouts. To do this, tap into the physical sensations throughout your whole body as you exercise. Notice the thoughts that come up in your mind, but don’t linger on them. Focus on taking deep, full breaths, which are both a crucial meditation tool and a necessity for a safe and productive workout. Rather than being preoccupied with stats and steps, use a smartwatch with a comfortable band to monitor your fitness efforts so you can spend more time working on your moving meditation.

Create a Home Workout Space

Don’t let uncooperative weather hamper your fitness plans. With a few DIY efforts and some cleaning and decluttering, it’s easy to set up a home workout space conducive to meeting your goals. Plus, with an approach to set yourself up for success and to remove any negative obstacles, this space can function as a flex area for working out, meditation and yoga.

Give Yourself a Day (or Several) Off

 Even the biggest fitness fanatic needs a break once in a while. There is no definite science as to the ideal number of rest days, but one to two days between sessions is usually a good place to start. Remember that a “rest day” doesn’t mean “no exercise at all.” Low-intensity workouts such as swimming, walking, or yoga, are great for staying active while letting your muscles rest. Varied exercise also has other benefits, such as increased longevity.

Try CBD Oils

CBD oil is a byproduct of cannabis, made from the non-psychoactive part of the plant. It is becoming increasingly popular as a self-care tool, with its benefits ranging from anxiety relief to reduced pain and inflammation. The latter also makes it a useful fitness supplement, as it can help alleviate post-workout muscle soreness. As with any supplement, you should check with your doctor before starting CBD. Once they give you the green light, take some time to research the best brands and concentrations for you.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential to good health, and it also helps your workouts be as effective and safe as they can be. The impact of sleep on exercise may seem obvious, but it happens in many subtle ways. Being well-rested helps your body recover (thus preventing injury), keeps you sharp for quick and accurate movement, and allows you to do more intense workouts by reducing your perception of pain.

As you can see, good self-care goes naturally hand-in-hand with a healthier fitness routine. Combining the two is all about observing the ways in which fitness interacts with other healthy habits, such as diet, sleep, and mindfulness, and maximizing these connections for a solid foundation of self-care. By doing this, you can ensure your fitness routine is serving you in the best possible way, keeping you motivated to keep going.

Are you ready to enhance the results of your fitness efforts? LaBella Cosmetic Surgery is here to help you look and feel your best through body, face and breast surgical treatments as well as non-surgical treatments. Connect with us today for a consultation.