Workouts can take different forms and can be thoroughly relaxing for the mind and body if done in the right spirit. As much as working out is important, the post-workout phase is also a critical part of any exercise routine. This session takes care of tissue repair, strength building and overall recovery and helps you feel really good after a workout. This is exactly why the treadmill has a cool-down setting. The body which had been working out with increased blood and pressure levels for a considerable amount of time requires that minimal activity cool-down session to gradually bring it to its normal working level and de-stress the muscles. Did you know that indulging in a lunch time walk is a nice way of cooling down your intensely worked out brain that’s been slogging all the while?

Here are 5 simple activities that help with the cool down process:

1. Stretch:Stretches have been proven to give the muscles of your body the necessary push and pull mechanism that will help loosen stiff muscles and also reduce the soreness that can happen the next morning. There are various forms of stretches that you could adopt. Based on the kind of workout you do, you can either do simple arm and leg stretches or do more complex stretches that involve other crucial parts of your body like the abdomen, chest and neck.
   
2. Swimming:Most of the gyms these days are equipped with either a Jacuzzi or a swimming pool to help you with the post workout session. This is the most interesting kind of cool down session you can have because nobody can say no to a quick dip session in the pool. A nice warm shower will also do the trick.

   

3. Yoga:The beauty of Yoga is that it has health benefits across spectrums. Yoga has solution to almost everything related to your wellness. Yoga may look easy but it includes a variety of complex stretches that wildly help with your flexibility. Yoga discretely favours a lot of parts in your body and is considered the best way to cool down after a workout.

   

4. Household Chores:Yes, you heard that right! Not all exercises require highly equipped gyms. Most of the everyday household chores like mopping, dishwashing, gardening, etc. are all good enough to calm your body post workout. Two birds, one stone right?

   

5. Hydration:Water does magic in every possible way. Keeping your body hydrated is important especially after an intense workout session when your body has filtered out impurities and has eliminated most of it through sweat. Also remember to drink water in a slow and steady pace and ensure you breathe in and breathe out between sips.
   

Happy cooling-down!

 

References:

http://www.mensfitness.com/training/build-muscle/5-ways-to-cool-down-after-a-workouthttp://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/15-effective-cool-down-exercises-for-every-workout.html