A leisurely drive does not benefit from being in high gear.
Let’s test your knowledge: what do you consider as the three stages of a proper workout routine? Correct answer: warm-up, main activity, and cool down. It’s peculiar; we were instructed about warming up during our physical education classes, but the concept of cooling down came to my attention relatively recently, causing me to ponder why. Cool downs are a crucial element in caring for your body after exercising.
To provide an analogy, the purpose of a warm-up is to increase blood circulation, relax your muscles, and prepare your joints for intense physical activity. Imagine your body as a multi-speed bike. When you’re pushing yourself to the limit, you switch to high gear so your body can handle the increased physical stress. However, once it’s time to ease off, staying in high gear can lead to overexertion. You must cool down and return your metabolism to its regular pace.
Cooling down helps decrease your heart rate and regulates your breathing, thereby reducing the risk of post-workout dizziness or feeling light-headed. It’s also a moment of relaxation, which is advantageous from a psychological standpoint. After putting in a hard workout, you deserve some time to unwind.
So, what are some activities you can engage in for a cool down? Personally, I prefer incorporating some static stretching. In contrast to dynamic stretching, which involves rapid, full-body movements, static stretching focuses on slow, targeted motions. This becomes especially important if you have been involved in strength training, as you need to properly stretch the joints that were just exercised. Your choice of cool down should align with the type of exercise you engaged in. For instance, after a jog, consider power walking for a few minutes and gradually transitioning into a leisurely stroll. Regardless of how you choose to cool down, remember to do so; failing to shift out of high gear can result in breathlessness and fatigue.