Having met so many people over the last two weeks who have been doing the exercises from the column, it was great to hear how much they have enjoyed them, I just want to say thank you for reading and trying them out. The whole idea of this column is to inform, educate and, hopefully, inspire you to try something new. A big well done to everyone.
Don’t forget you can always click on the QR code in each column to watch the video, which can explain the movements in person.
With that in mind, I thought there may be some tired bodies after the exercises. That is called DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness. After you try something different, your muscles are challenged. This results in soreness generally over 24 to 48 hours, and then the pain eases off.
Several self-care methods and other remedies can help you get rid of sore muscles. There are several ways to help sore and stiff muscles after exercise.
What you can do to ease sore muscles
• Easy gentle movement to loosen up, so an easy walk, for example.
• An Epsom salts warm bath.
• Rubbing some udder cream or miracle cream on the sore muscles. Make sure to wash your hands after.
• A dip in the sea is a great way to reduce stiffness.
Another way to ease the soreness is to use a sauna. In the last couple of years, there has been a huge resurgence of saunas in Ireland, something we have a history of dating back hundreds of years.
It is incredible to see that the sauna culture is here to stay. It’s something that is so good for your health, and a visit to your local sauna is a great tool to help you stay healthy, recover better and improve your long-term health.
Saunas have been used for centuries as a way to promote relaxation and enhance physical wellbeing. Today, modern research confirms that regular sauna use can offer a range of health benefits.
The benefits of using a sauna on a weekly basis
• Sleep better
• Move better
• Recover better
• Improve your skin
• Lower your stress levels
• Improve your mood
• Improve cardiovascular health
• Improve your immune system
• Lower anxiety
• Reduce farm-related stiffness and soreness.
Those are just some of the reasons to use a sauna, but it can be a scary experience, especially if you haven’t done one before. So let me talk you through how it all works.
When going, you are going to need your togs, a towel, a bottle of water, flip flops, and that is pretty much it. Most people get changed before going and just pop their clothes off when they get there. You can start in the sauna or do your cold plunge or sea first and then go into the sauna.
You stay in as long as you feel comfortable, normally 10 to 15 minutes, and then get out and get cold by either a cold shower, jumping in the sea or a cold tub. The cold often can be off-putting for people, but you are so warm with the heat of the sauna that you really need the cold to cool you down.
Once you have cooled down, it is back into the sauna, and you repeat that as many times as you want over the hour. Afterwards, clothes go back on, and home for a shower. You will be blown away by how good you feel.
One of the best parts of the whole experience is that it is social too. You meet and chat with people who you don’t know in a relaxed space, and that in itself is incredibly powerful.
Social connection helps us to age better and healthier. Combining that with hot and cold therapy gives you so much for your health and wellness that you will be surprised at just how good you feel, mentally and physically, afterwards.
Next week: I want to chat to you about hydration and the importance of staying hydrated every day.
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