How to Stay Healthy When You Work Out

Getting into a good workout routine is one of the best things that you can do for both your mind and your body. Whether you love to run, lift weights or swim, staying active keeps your energy up and your stress levels down. Working out on its own, however, is not enough. You have to stay healthy whilst you do it.

This means taking care of your body before, during and after your workouts. If you’re a swimmer, this will include little things like using earplugs or drying your ears very well afterwards. There are some amazing tips for water protection to keep your ears healthy and prevent swimmer’s ear, but we’ll come back to that later.

Warm up and cool down.

It’s tempting to jump right into your workout, especially if you’re short on time, but your muscles and your future self will thank you for the extra few minutes you take to warm up and cool down. Like jogging, jumping jacks or dynamic stretching can all prepare your body for action and help to prevent injury. Cooling down after your session with some slow stretching helps your muscles relax and reduces soreness.

Hydration is important.

Even if you’re not dripping in sweat, your body is still losing fluid when you exercise. Water will help to keep your joints lubricated and your energy levels up. It also helps to keep your body temperature regulated, too. Keeping a water bottle nearby and sipping throughout your workout, not just after, will mean that your muscles will thank you.

Think about your form.

Whether you’re lifting weights, doing yoga, or swimming, using the proper form helps you to avoid any strain and injuries that would be unnecessary. Don’t be afraid to ask a trainer for guidance or watch a quick tutorial online if you’re trying a new move. It’s not about doing the most reps, it’s about doing them correctly.

Taking care of your ears is important.

Going back to our earlier point about swimming, taking care of your ears is just as important as taking care of your muscles. That’s where those tips for water protection come in. Wearing swim specific earplugs or a swim cap that covers your ears can help prevent water from getting trapped. This reduces your risk of infection. After you swim, tilt your head to each side to let any water drain and gently dry your ears with a towel. It’s easy, painless, and super effective.

Make rest days part of the plan.

It’s not lazy to rest, your muscles need time to repair and grow stronger, and your mind needs a break too. Don’t feel guilty about taking a day off sometimes because you’re still moving forward by giving your body what it needs.

Lastly, listen to your body. Pushing through some discomfort is a part of building endurance, but pain is your body waving a red flag. Exercise is not supposed to hurt you, even if they tell you that it is.