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Old 12-17-19, 03:05 PM  
sherry7899
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
mood and energy levels on rest days

I do cardio (about an hour of dance or kickboxing) and yoga (about anywhere from 15-30 minutes) five days a week. I know I need strength training and hope to add that back in after the new year.

Anyway, I have to take rest days because if I don't, chronic injuries flare up.

However, I have noticed that my mood and energy levels are definitely much better on days when I exercise. I am an early morning exerciser, and that kickstarts me for the day.

On rest days I have less energy and I am a bit more cranky This could just be coinciding with the lousy weather and gray skies here.

I don't want to rely on caffeine for energy. Does anyone else have ideas for elevating your mood/energy on rest days (or any day, for that matter!) I guess I could do a short qi gong or tai chi practice and meditation on rest days and see if that helps.

I wish I was someone who enjoyed taking walks, but I just don't. Our neighborhood is very boring for walking, and I hate the cold.

I would love input from anyone who has time to respond.

Thank you !
Sherry
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Old 12-17-19, 03:32 PM  
donnamp
 
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I understand what you are saying Sherry! I feel better when I do something every day. Maybe, as you suggested, take a "light" day - on the days you would normally have rested - a restorative yoga or other type of practice that isn't too physically taxing.

I can't remember - do you have an exercise bike? You could do a 15 min ride to boost your energy - and it would be a different form of exercise than your usual.

Donna
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Old 12-17-19, 03:35 PM  
sherry7899
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Thanks, Donna! I do have a recumbent bike. Unfortunately my knees hurt the last time I used it, even without resistance. That is strange, since my knees are fine with an hour of dance cardio! Maybe I will start with just five minutes to get used to it again
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Old 12-17-19, 03:36 PM  
laurajhawk
 
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A light day was my immediate thought, too. Gentle or restorative yoga, a stretching video, or even a short walking workout. Just enough to warm you up and get some oxygen in your lungs. In fact, doing just the warmup from a favorite cardio DVD could also work!
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Old 12-17-19, 03:51 PM  
yogapam
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Location: West coast of Canada, eh. ;)
I love a gentle yoga practice on rest days, very often something reclined or seated.
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Old 12-17-19, 04:02 PM  
tytbody
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I find yin yoga or mobility stretching good fill ins. Or add in 15 minute meditation
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Old 12-17-19, 08:03 PM  
bjones
 
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I have that same problem. I can only do 5 days a week or I get injured I've tried doing gentle yoga/stretching but it doesn't elevate my mood or improve my energy. The only thing that helps, and doesn't injure me, is an outdoor walk. I know you don't want to do it, but there is science behind the whole thing of just getting outside and moving around that really raises your seratonin levels.
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Old 12-17-19, 09:37 PM  
prettyinpink
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Something light on a rest day, or do less on a couple of other days and spread things out more.

Our bodies do need recovery. I do think it’s okay to have less energy on a day off and to actually, REST.

The mood is another thing. I agree with time outside. If you don’t like to walk, maybe just sit outside in the sunshine for a few minutes. It’s hard this time of year when there is so much less of that.
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Old 12-17-19, 11:57 PM  
fanofladyvols
 
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Join Date: May 2004
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I bet the season has something to do with how you feel.

I like to just do a short bit of the warmup of a video that has an outdoor scenery. I have this special section of feel good DVDs for those days.

Sometimes I just stretch around on my stability ball while I listen to music.

And I totally understand what you're saying...for me it feels like the engine never turned over and I'm just running on blahs
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Old 12-18-19, 06:31 AM  
Dontmindthemess
 
Join Date: May 2011
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How about stringing a few warm ups together? That way you’re getting some activity in but you won’t overdo it. I think the outdoor walk is best idea for that mental boost, it really feels good to be outside, but I hate going out in the cold too. There’s a few Barlates on YouTube that are just a warm up and stretch that could work. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...y8eH6RF1ARrdNO
At least the days will be getting longer very soon

Jane
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