It’s way too easy to get so committed to something that you have tunnel vision to the important things in life. It can be the same with exercise. I set myself a goal to exercise every day, if it is possible. This week has been particularly busy, I have been tired, so my first though on Saturday morning was wohooo I’ll go do that exercise. But…
I need recovery too. To be honest the best thing I could do for myself today was to relax, both mentally and physically. Push on too much, you can just put yourself out for longer. Athletes are really bad for this when it comes to injuries.
Do you know when to stop and rest?
Early signs of overtraining syndrome include
- Washed-out feeling, tired, drained, lack of energy
- Mild leg soreness, general aches and pains
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Sudden drop in performance
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Decreased immunity (increased number of colds, and sore throats)
- Decrease in training capacity / intensity
- Moodiness and irritability
- Depression
- Loss of enthusiasm for the sport
- Decreased appetite
Another way is to monitor your resting heart rate. Elevations are a sign. If you suspect you are suffering from overtraining you could start by getting rest, recover, hydrate, sleep well and perhaps get a good sports massage.
