5 Self-Care Tips for After Your Resistance Band Workout

Resistance bands add a much-needed challenge to your exercise, which is why you should reward yourself with a bit of self-care after each workout. An article on resistance bands pointed out that these workout tools became popular in recent years as they can help you build strength without using dumbbells or weight machines. Given that resistance bands can work for your muscle groups with various degrees of intensity, it’s important that you take the time to unwind as soon as you finish your exercise.

Here are some self-care tips that will allow you to relax and recover post-workout:

Do a cool-down exercise after your workout

Don’t set aside your resistance band just yet! After all, you can practice proper self-care by doing a cool-down exercise with your resistance band. Our article on physical therapy shoulder exercises highlights that you can lessen your risk for injury and rehabilitate your shoulders by doing a cool down using your resistance band. For instance, you can rehabilitate your back muscles by doing bent-over rows with your band. Meanwhile, doing a lat pulldown after you exercise can help prevent injuries in your back muscles and your spine.

Rehydrate yourself by drinking lots of water

Aside from doing a cool down, care for your body by rehydrating yourself. It is recommended that women consume about 2.7 liters of water, while men must consume 3.7 liters daily. However, your activity levels may increase the amount of fluids lost in your body, thus affecting your body function, your digestion, and even your skin. As such, it is important to replace all the fluids that you’ve lost during your workout by consuming more water afterward. By rehydrating yourself after your workout, you can nurture your body back to its optimal levels.

Cleanse any grease and sweat from your skin and hair

Workouts can cause sweat, oil, dirt, and bacteria to stay on your skin, which fitness enthusiasts may struggle with getting acne caused by their post-exercise hygiene. Make it a point to cleanse any sweat, oil, dirt, and bacteria on your skin as a good preventive step in avoiding hairline acne, especially if you use bandanas or visors during your workout. To accomplish this, remove any dirt from your face by using a makeup remover before washing your face with a gentle cleanser. You should also wash your hair so that you can feel refreshed and clean after your workout.

Change into clean and dry clothing

After cleansing, you have to do the simple yet essential task of changing into dry and fresh clothes. Dr. Ashish Sharma stated that you may develop heat rashes, inflammation, and irritation because of the sweat and oil stuck on your workout clothes. On top of that, fungi can develop under and around your breasts due to your sweaty sports bras. To avoid these skin and health conditions, you have to change into clean clothes after your workout. You also have to care for yourself by washing your workout clothes well between each wear.

Try a remedy for sore muscles

Finally, you can also practice a bit of self-care by soothing any aches and pains from your workout. For immediate pain relief, you can apply a hot compress over your sore muscles for twenty minutes before replacing it with a cold compress for the same duration of time. Another great home remedy is to soak yourself in a relaxing bath with Epsom salts, which can reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and muscle tension. Of course, you can also indulge yourself in a relaxing massage, which is proven to be effective in alleviating delayed-onset muscle soreness.

Since you are sweating it out during your resistance band workout, you deserve to treat yourself afterward. Allow your body to rest and relax by doing a cool down, drinking lots of water, cleansing your skin, changing into fresh clothes, and alleviating your sore muscles.