Netjets US Autumn 2022

REST,
RECOVER,
RECHARGE
The missing link to your fitness program
may just be taking it easy. // By Jen Murphy
FOR DECADES, “No Pain, No Gain” and “Sore Today, Strong
Tomorrow” were the mantras preached by fitness instructors
and written on gym walls. We were always going hard, be it in
the gym or on the job. The events of the past two years have
caused us to take a collective pause. Suddenly, the slower pace
and work-from-home lifestyle allowed us time to embrace good
habits we’d typically skimp on—an indulgent hour-long yin
yoga class, a nutritious breakfast, 10 minutes of foam rolling
after a workout, a full eight hours of nightly rest. We never
realized we’d been running on fumes.
As the world reopened, we emerged with a new appreciation
for rest. Gyms and hotels have taken note, introducing everything
from dedicated recovery rooms equipped with self-massage tools
and compression gear, to sleep coaches and in-room meditations
to induce calm and tranquility. We still care about getting in our
steps, but we turn to the latest technology and fi tness trackers to
also help us monitor our sleep and maximize recovery.
Top athletes, such as NFL legend Tom Brady, ski champ
Mikaela Shiffrin, and tennis great Rafael Nadal, have long
known the secret to maintaining longevity while continuing
to improve performance is a balancing act. The big days of
intense workouts are carefully paired with naps, massages,
active recovery days, and smart nutrition programs. Studies
have shown rest days are essential for the body to maintain
homeostasis, or a state of balance. An intense bout of
physiological stress followed by recovery allows the body to
adapt and restore balance. Skip the rest and keep pushing, and
the body’s balance gets out of whack, increasing risk of injury
and illness.
Rest doesn’t have to mean lounging on the couch. Active
recovery can be as simple as scaling back intensity or doing
something active outdoors versus pumping iron at the gym. And
massages, once seen as an indulgence, are now viewed as selfcare.
If you’ve been giving it your all and aren’t seeing gains,
it may be time to step back and re-evaluate your routine. Here
are some easy ways to incorporate a bit more rest and recovery
into your day-to-day so you can look good but also feel good
day in and day out.
JÖRN KASPUHL
NetJets
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