How do you know when your body needs rest from exercise?

Author: Albert Douglas  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

You're always sore Studies show that muscles need anywhere from 24-72 hours to recover. But if you're still sore past the 72-hour mark, be sure to rest; this type of extended soreness is a sign your muscles aren't recovering. Soreness is your body's way of telling you to that it needs more energy to repair and recover.

How do I know when to rest from working out?

Signs of too Much Exercise
  1. Pain doing certain activities.
  2. Fatigue.
  3. Swollen or painful joints.
  4. Limited movement.
  5. Performance plateaus or declines.
  6. Poor sleep quality.

How to tell if your body needs a rest day?

In addition to being tired, you might suffer from headaches or mental fatigue, which can lead to moodiness and feeling off. If your body isn't feeling well, this can be a telltale sign that you need a rest day! One note: Working out is a well-known endorphin booster that can help improve your mood.

How do I know when I need rest?

Signs You Need Physical Rest
  • You are often ill and have a weak immune system
  • You experience soreness and muscle pain often
  • You depend on substances for rest and comfort (i.e. food, alcohol)
  • You lack the energy to complete phsyical tasks
  • You feel tired but have trouble falling asleep
  • You depend on substances for energy

What are the symptoms of lack of rest?

Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation
  • Falling asleep when not intending to (e.g. reading the newspaper, watching TV.
  • Falling asleep quickly when going to bed.
  • Sleeping long hours on the weekend.
  • Taking naps.
  • Changes in the way you feel:
  • Feeling fatigued or lethargic throughout the day, yawning frequently.
  • Feeling irritable.

How to Know If You Need a Rest Day | Dr. Andy Galpin & Dr. Andrew Huberman

Is it better to rest or workout tired?

So sometimes, rest is the best option. Consider factors like how much sleep you're getting, what your stress level is like, and whether it's taking you longer than normal to recover from your previous workout or if you feel unusually sore. Learn to listen to your body's cues and back off from working out as needed.

How much exercise is too much a day?

The Department of Health and Human Services does not specify an upper limit of exercise at which this condition becomes a risk. As a general rule, women's health specialist Felice Gersh, M.D., said 90 minutes per day is the point when people become susceptible to overtraining syndrome and its associated symptoms.

How many days a week should I workout?

do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. spread exercise evenly over 4 to 5 days a week, or every day.

What does an overused muscle feel like?

Symptoms of overuse injuries include: tingling, numbness, or pain in the affected area. stiffness or soreness in the neck or back. feelings of weakness or fatigue in the hands, arms, or legs.

When should you not exercise?

Don't exercise if you have a fever, fatigue or widespread muscle aches.

How do I know if I'm getting enough rest?

One way to know you're not getting enough sleep is if you need an alarm clock to wake up. With the right amount of sleep, you should be able to wake up on your own at about the right time each day. Of course, you might want to use an alarm clock just in case, so you don't have to worry about it.

What should my rest day look like?

Typical active recovery activities include walking, swimming, cycling, jogging, yoga, or active stretching (Ortiz et al. 2018). The key is to find an activity that's low-intensity and keeps your heart rate at 30-60% of your maximum heart rate.

How to tell if your body needs a rest?

Your Body Is Telling You to Take a Break: 15 Signs You Need More...
  1. Dark Circles. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest and most fragile on your body. ...
  2. Fatigue. ...
  3. Muscle Aches. ...
  4. Trouble Sleeping. ...
  5. Poor Daytime Performance. ...
  6. Low Motivation. ...
  7. Vision Changes. ...
  8. Memory Lapses.

Should you walk on rest days?

Walking or Jogging

Getting in some movement throughout their day is important, and they can take it easy on their body while going for a walk or light jog on their rest day. Any form of light cardio provides health benefits. Walking or jogging can help improve circulation, strengthen muscles and brighten their mood.

How do I know if I should stop exercising?

Here are some symptoms of too much exercise:
  1. Being unable to perform at the same level.
  2. Needing longer periods of rest.
  3. Feeling tired.
  4. Being depressed.
  5. Having mood swings or irritability.
  6. Having trouble sleeping.
  7. Feeling sore muscles or heavy limbs.
  8. Getting overuse injuries.

Is 20 minutes of exercise a day enough to lose weight?

If you are wondering whether doing a 20-minute workout daily can make a difference, then here you go: YES, it can! A 20-minute effective workout like HIIT(high-intensity interval training) can help you achieve your weight loss goal.

How do you tell you're getting fitter?

Your clothes may also fit differently as your body composition changes, even if the scale does not change.
  1. You Can Think Clearly. Physical activity supports brain health and might prevent neurological diseases. ...
  2. You Feel More Rested. ...
  3. You Feel Stronger. ...
  4. Your Clothes Fit Differently. ...
  5. Your Mood Improves.

What is the best full body workout routine?

Here are five great full body workouts:
  • Barbell Squat.
  • Reverse Barbell Lunge.
  • Barbell Deadlift.
  • Barbell Bench Press.
  • Barbell Row.

How do I know if I am exercising too much?

The signs of overexercising and overtraining

If you exercise too much, you may find that you are often tired, don't sleep well, have mood swings or experience overuse injuries. Here are a few other signs to be aware of: Increased heart rate. Not feeling as strong.

Does walking count as exercise?

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

What are the symptoms of exercise fatigue?

Exercise Fatigue Symptoms

Exercise fatigue syndrome is characterized by constant and excessive: tiredness. fatigue and loss of energy. pain and stiffness in the muscles & joints used during exercise.

What is best to eat before working out?

Ideally, fuel up two hours before you exercise by:

Eating healthy carbohydrates, such as whole-grain cereals (with low-fat or fat-free milk), whole-wheat toast, low-fat or fat-free yogurt, whole-grain pasta, brown rice and fruits and vegetables. Avoiding saturated fats and proteins, even healthy ones.

How do you know when you need a break from exercise?

Listen to your body when following a set workout routine. If you feel exhaustion, either mental or physical, make sure that you prioritize rest over results. Signs to look out for include dreading your workouts, fatigue or physical exhaustion, poor performance, and prolonged soreness.

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