At 6 a.m you hear your alarm ring, you have 2 choices: Either put it to snooze and get extra sleep or get up and do your workout. Which option is the ideal one?

With limited hours in a day, it’s no big surprise that we regularly feel compelled to pick between rest and a workout for the few hours that we have to ourselves. Yet, for our wellbeing and satisfaction, one should get enough rest while fitting in workouts a few times each week between family, friends, work and all that is left of your other obligations. And there are other circumstances when it should be quite obvious that rest is better than a workout. Read on:

1. You feel like you have a cold: Follow the “above-your-neck rule” — if all your symptoms are above your neck (runny nose or sneezing), you can do low- to moderate-intensity exercise, but if your symptoms are below your neck (chest congestion, fever, etc.), rest.

 

2. I’m tired: Dragging yourself out of bed on these days is just counter-productive. Working out on these days puts your already stressed body under more stress and that is of no use at all! Light movement can be helpful in getting your energy levels up, but skip the high-intensity stuff.

 

3. I don’t even have time for lunch: There is always something left to do and sometimes you do not have that hour for lunch. But that does not mean you starve yourself. It definitely will not help you at your next workout. So take the time out and grab a bite of something nutritious.

 

4. My knee (or other body part) hurts: That’s a sure sign that your body wants rest. You will gain nothing from pushing yourself at this point; plus your injury will not heal itself! Do something light if you must, which doesn’t use that particular part of your body.

 

5. I work out hard every day: For your body to perform optimally and respond to the intensity of your workouts, you need to also give it time to recover ever so often. If not your body does not have the time to heal itself and you will tend to plateau

Reference:

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/should-i-exercise-or-get-a-little-extra-sleep-ask-healthy-living_us_56464eebe4b045bf3def13ae

http://fitbottomedgirls.com/2017/02/when-to-prioritize-rest/