Are We Resting The Wrong Way?

Are We Chasing The Wrong Thing?

• surprising insights from wearing my Oura ring for 6 months

• sleep hygiene is having a moment, but you may want to focus on this first

• what recovery can look like

If you’re new here, you may not know that my good friend and I like to walk. We walk loops and loops around our neighborhood for hours. Our record?

3 hours.

In weighted vests.

That day and the next, I felt great.

But 2 days after our long walk? so. tired.

The same thing happened after we went paddle boarding for 3 hours in the hot sun. 2 days later - spent.

The odd thing was my oura ring notified me the day after that my readiness was lower than usual. I was confused because I felt okay? So why take it easy, oura?

Check out the data from my ring.

We've been trained to push and grind until we can't anymore. And then rest.

But that’s really not healthy. Especially for women over 40.

Here's why: If you’re a woman over 40, you are more sensitive to stress (all kinds), need more time to recover, and need more sleep than men. If you don’t weave in rest, all of this stress response can eventually lead to insulin sensitivity.

That’s not going to help you in the long-run and it’s the wrong strategy if you’re trying to avoid burnout, balance your hormones or really do anything to move the needle in terms of wellness.

Learning to rest is foundational.

We often need to take time to recover from a lot of activity before it drains us. Same with stress. We need to weave in down time and stress-relieving activities before we are at the breaking point.

So the lesson I learned and what I’m paying attention to (more than my sleep score)?

🗣 I need to take it easy the day after a lot of activity or stress, even if I feel good. That is how I not only maintain steady energy, but also better HRV and better sleep quality.

Refocus

What does recovery really mean? Your body recovers at rest (a lot happens when we sleep!), but it also needs the right inputs (like food + water) so it can recover properly.

In general, recovery is focusing on nourishment + relaxation.

It can be some or all of these depending on what you feel you need or what you have time for:

Nourishing foods: Protein + Vegetables

Hydration + Electrolytes

Physical + Mental Rest: a nap, stretching/ mobility, a massage, a good night’s sleep

Here's what to do:

• Pay attention to how you feel 2 days after a tough workout or an especially taxing day (high stress)

• Give day-after recovery a try next time

• Notice how it impacts how you sleep and feel the rest of the week, how it impacts your other workouts, energy levels, hunger/cravings, and mood

Thanks for being here!

Tara xo