So you've started exercising, you've lifted weights or done cardio or done an hour of yoga. And the next day, your body HURTS. It hurts in places you didn't know existed. And you don't know what to do. The lazy part of your brain tells you to lie down and just rest. You worked so hard the previous day and now moving around is wayyyy too painful. Let's give those aching muscles some rest.

Don't do that. Instead, keep reading and let me tell you what to do when your muscles are sore and you feel like you're dying.

This is a very common question I get asked by students- after doing a Combat/ Balance class with me, especially for the first time, their body hurts like crazy the next day. And they ask me- what do you do when you have muscle soreness the next day? Do you just lie in bed the whole time?

The answer to that question is that you need to NOT rest. You've finally woken up your muscles and you need to let them know that this is how things are going to be from now on. You have to make them used to this new chapter in their lives. So do some light exercise. Go on the treadmill. Stretch. Talk to your muscles. Okay, maybe not that last one.

DOMS or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness usually is the worse 24 hours after a workout. It gets worse 48 hours after and is the most painful after 72 hours of working out. If you simply don't move and rest or lie around all day, your muscles will feel stiffer and more painful. You need to move. Do some sort of physical activity. It will feel even more painful when you do and you might feel your muscles burning, but after you've exercised or moved around, you'll feel better. The soreness will reduce.

If your muscles are really sore and very painful, I recommend applying heat. Use a hot water bottle, an electric heat blanket or take a hot bath to relieve some of the pain. You can even get a massage if the pain is really very bad. But don't get a very strong massage or the pain will get worse. Been there, done that.

Just remember, that after a hard workout, or your first time exercising or even your first time doing certain moves, your body will feel sore the next day. It's proof that the workout was effective. Soreness is completely natural. I know a lot of people who stopped exercising or stopped a certain type of exercise because the pain was so bad the next day. Don't. Don't stop. Go easier the next time if you want. I promise you, it gets better. Your muscles get stronger. Your body gets used to it.
And that's when you have to change up your routine again, of course. *smiling devil emoji*

Once you get into an exercise routine that you love, like most fitness freaks and athletes, you'll get addicted to the pain. Because deep down you know, no pain means no change.

So remember, muscle soreness is completely normal. It is not a sign that you need to rest the whole day. I'll share a natural home remedy for muscle soreness in my next health post, so stay tuned!

If you have any questions on this, or other clever ways to reduce muscle soreness {that doesn't involve popping a pill} leave a comment below!

Until next time,

xoxo