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Denise Austin

Feeling Tense? Soothing Ways to Address Sore Muscles

Denise Austin
by Denise Austin | 
 | 
Lifestyle
Sore muscles can be part of a healthy lifestyle: as you workout, you are taxing your muscles... and while the end result is a healthy body that is strong and helps you move, soreness can be a side effect. The good news is that there are simple ways to address sore muscles. Whether your muscles are sore from exercise or tension, try these suggestions to soothe your muscles! 

5 Ways To Soothe Sore Muscles


  1. Give your muscles some rest. It's important to have rest in between your workouts - it allows your muscles to repair themselves. (This is also why you should do workouts that alternate the focus on your body, such as an upper-body workout one day, and a lower-body workout the next.) But rest days aren't about not doing anything - movement on these days will help keep your blood flowing without overworking your muscles. My rest days are usually a walk or some yoga, but swimming and cycling are also good forms of low-impact movement on rest days.
  2. Apply some cold and some heat. The inflammation from sore muscles can be lessened with a cold pack - apply for 15-20 minutes to help numb soreness. And a warm bath or heating pad can work wonders for tight muscles - soothing and relaxing too!
  3. Massage your muscles. You don't need to go to a professional to soothe your muscles, you can do it at home! A massage ball is great for sore feet, and a foam roller helps to ease tensions and improve circulation, especially in the legs and back. Watch my "How to Use a Foam Roller" video for step-by-step instructions!
  4. Do some breathing exercises. Mind-body practices like breathing and meditation can help to lower the stress hormones that interfere with recovery. They are also good for helping you fall asleep - sleep is vital to muscle health and recovery! From box breathing to deep breaths, this is a wonderful way to recharge. My Denise Austin Membership includes complete breathing exercises to try - join now and check them out!
  5. Add magnesium to your diet and recovery plan. Foods rich in magnesium - almonds, spinach and pumpkin seeds are good sources - can help with muscle relaxation. You can also take a magnesium supplement (consult your physician first), and add epsom salts to your warm bath - they deliver magnesium through your skin and really can help soothe sore muscles.

And remember that you can help to minimize soreness by drinking plenty of water before and during your workouts, to help promote circulation. Also a quick stretch before you begin exercising can be helpful too! 

For more tips on keeping your body in the best shape join my Denise Austin Membership! Soothing yoga and pilates workouts, recovery tips, and fueling recipes to keep your muscles healthy are just a click away! I am here to guide you on the path to being healthy and happy! 

Let's live FIT, HAPPY and HEALTHY - together!!

Denise