8 Ways to Relieve Muscle Soreness after Workouts

Muscle soreness...we've had it before, and you'll have it again. We've all been through it, had a good workout at the gym and woke up the next morning feeling terribly miserable. For some of us, our sore muscles represent a reward, for others, we absolutely can live without it. Either way...we're all in pain. At least the good news is, you do not have to endure the pain of muscle soreness, and there are ways to relieve it. Below are 8 ways to relieve muscle soreness.

8. Stretch

Stretching improves blood circulation, helps realign muscle imbalances, increases range of motion, and reduces the risk of persistent pain due to poor posture or tight muscles. In particular, increasing range of motion can also help you improve athletic performance and reduce your risk of injury

7. Next Day Cardio

Research shows that doing cardio the day after a weight-lifting workout can help relieve muscle soreness. how? Well, cardio helps warm your muscles, which in turn, makes it easier for you to stretch and recover.

6. Increase Protein

After a workout, muscles go through a recovery phase. The recovery phase is when the muscles repair. Energy and amino acids are used for protein synthesis and help repair muscles. Muscle tears that occur during exercise require protein to recover

5. Add carbohydrates

Without a source of carbohydrates after a workout, your body won't be able to produce insulin, which is a hormone that drives muscle building. Carbohydrates also help replace muscle and liver glycogen, replenishing your energy reserves.

4. Drink Water

Make sure you stay hydrated! Drinking water can prevent dehydration, which can make your sore muscles more painful.

3. Massage

Muscle ache? Just get a massage, or better yet...massage yourself. Just rubbing your muscles will help reduce inflammation. Your recovery process will increase as muscle inflammation decreases.

2. Hot/Cold Treatment

It's wise to try hot/cold treatments when your muscles are sore. For this treatment, you will place an ice pack on the sore muscle for 15 minutes. Then, you will use the heat pack for 15 minutes. Continue this process a few times and you will feel your muscles relax.

1. Take a Warm Bath

Taking a hot bath helps relieve muscle soreness. Heat Increase blood circulation, hence your muscle will get soothed and relaxed.