Exercising is essential not only for our physical health but our mental well-being too. It’s important to get a healthy amount of exercise per week. Now that we are entering spring again, the days are getting longer and warmer, giving many people that extra motivation to get outside and move their bodies. However, there is one downfall that comes with exercising and that is the soreness you experience after an intense workout.
Muscle soreness can put you off exercising and can be rather painful. This is not what you want. But luckily there’s a way to help prevent and reduce the effects of it. Epsom salts can play a vital part in muscle recovery, and in this blog post, Westlab Salts explains exactly how.
What are Epsom Salts?
Epsom salts are a chemical compound that contains the minerals magnesium and sulfate. Magnesium is an anti-inflammatory that has a wide range of benefits on the body. The magnesium in Epsom salts is known to soothe aching muscles and aid in their recovery of them too. The sulfate helps flush lactic acid from the muscles. Many athletes, therefore, take Epsom salt-filled baths to relieve their pain from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
The role of magnesium
Since Epsom salts have such a high quantity of magnesium in them, they can top up your body’s supply. This means they can help to relax your muscles before and after a workout, which in turn prevents them from tightening and cramping up. Muscle cramps can be very painful, so you want to avoid them where necessary. Epsom salts can be a great solution to this.
The benefits of using Epsom salts
There are many benefits to bathing in Epsom salts if you’re someone that exercises regularly. The following are a few of the reasons why you may want to give Epsom salt baths a chance.
Excellent for rest days
Studies have shown that warm baths are excellent for relaxing muscles. Submerging your body in warm water has been proven to have favourable effects on the body. When you add Epsom salt to your bath you’re creating the ultimate way to soak after exercising. The effects of the magnesium combined with the effects of warm water are likely to leave you feeling great.
Increased blood circulation
Epsom salts contain anti-inflammatory properties, making them great at improving blood circulation. This can help with muscle recovery and your health overall. Having improved circulation can help prevent cardiovascular diseases and ease symptoms of rheumatological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Improved sleep
Getting enough sleep is an essential part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Sleep is an integral part of your health, it’s important to not neglect your sleeping schedule. For some people, getting enough sleep is challenging as they struggle to fall asleep (and stay asleep) at night.
Luckily, Epsom salt can help with this issue, as soaking in a warm bath is known to help you get a better night’s sleep. That, combined with the relaxing effect of magnesium makes Epsom bath salts a great way to improve your sleep quality.
How do I use Epsom salt?
Pour 2 cups of this salt into a warm bath. It’s recommended you soak for around 20 minutes. Ideally, do this 2-3 times per week. Or, after intense exercise or training, you may prefer to use 4 cups for additional recovery from DOMS.
Published by HOLR Magazine.