Oils are a staple in my medicine cabinet as they help me maintain my weight, relax, sleep better, and more. Therefore, It is no surprise that I also use oils to recover faster after workouts. Let’s see how essential oils can help you recover faster after workouts, plus some of the best oils for post-workout recovery.
We all know the importance of exercise to our physical, mental, and emotional health. Exercise can help reduce stress while increasing strength, stamina, and energy levels. When we feel tired at the end of a long day or right before hitting the hay at night, nothing helps, as a quick workout at home or heading out for a run/walk. It is also essential to let your body recover after the workout.
Oils Help To Recover Faster After Workout
It is important to take care of our bodies so they can take care of us, but have you ever considered how essential oils might help?
In addition to all the many other benefits that essential oils provide, they also aid in muscle relaxation and healing and support our bodies’ natural energy levels.
Incorporating essential oils into your post-workout routine stimulates blood circulation by dilating the blood vessels. The increased blood flow speeds up the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to tired muscles, which helps them recharge faster by reducing lactic acid production. A reduction of lactic acid means less pain and soreness post-workout!
Oils For Post-Workout Recovery
Bergamot
Like citrus essential oil, a citrus smell, bergamot, supports the nervous system while helping maintain a sense of peace and balance. This essential oil is also a relaxant that can help you feel more physically, mentally, and emotionally relaxed—a great pick-me-up after a challenging workout.
Peppermint Oil
For some people, the post-workout period is when they feel “the burn” in almost every part of their body.
Peppermint Oil—known for its cooling and refreshing sensation—can help with that! The best way to give your post-workout recovery a little extra punch is to add about five drops of peppermint oil to your favorite massage lotion or body butter so you can apply it directly where needed.
Rosemary Oil
One of my favorite pre-workout rituals has always been brushing my teeth before stepping up to the boxing bag or treadmill, and I’m sure many other women (and men) feel the same way.
Rosemary oil can make your post-workout ritual more satisfying. It will visibly tighten and tone the skin, so it is suitable for use in an aromatherapy facial steamer or by adding a few drops to your favorite face cream.
If you want to embrace your inner beauty queen while taking care of yourself after working out for hours, you can mix 2–3 essential oils with one tablespoon of carrier oil (such as sweet almond oil or olive oil) and put it directly on the skin.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil with an abundance of applications and benefits for your skin, hair, nails, immune system, digestive system—and even your mouth! This multi-talented oil can help you groom yourself after a workout by supporting overall healthy skin.
It is antibacterial properties effective against acne-causing bacteria, so people with blemished skin will benefit from adding tea tree oil to their post-workout routine.
This “miracle” oil is also antiseptic, which means it can be applied directly to cuts or scrapes to speed up the healing process. Make sure you dilute tea tree oil before using it topically on sensitive areas of the body (such as near the eyes or genitals).
Like all essential oils, tea tree oil can be ingested to support various body areas. For example, you can use it in homemade toothpaste or support healthy digestion by adding a few drops to your favorite smoothie or salad dressing.
Sage Oil
Suppose all these essential oils seem a bit overwhelming.
No worries! There’s one more option you should know about: sage oil.
Sage oil has been used for centuries due to its anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties—and it just so happens to be one of the most calming essentials oils out there.
It is nature’s way of making sure everything’s in order after a tough workout—though, admittedly, a nice warm bath with tea tree oil can do the same thing.
Lavender Oil
Just as a warm shower is a relaxing way to begin or end your day, lavender Oil—which is widely considered one of the most versatile essential oils—is a wonderfully grounding scent that can put you at ease.
The calming effects of lavender oil make it perfect for those who feel anxious before or after engaging in strenuous activity. Kickboxers might consider taking advantage of this post-workout by applying a few drops of lavender oil to their hands before heading into the ring.
Recover Faster After Workouts With Oils
Suppose you have never used essential oils before and would like to explore the world of aromatherapy. In that case, we recommend starting with peace and balance, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, sage oil, and lavender oil.
Start with one or two drops rubbed into your hands or feet after a shower (or add it to an unscented lotion), and gradually add more as you become comfortable with its effects.
If you are looking for something more advanced—for example, training for a marathon or triathlon—you can play around with different combinations of therapeutic-grade essential oils.
One of the most critical aspects of post-workout recovery is knowing your body and what it needs. As a martial artist, you need to learn how to listen to your body to take care of yourself with suitable essential oils.
This article covered some popular essential oils that will help you relax after an intense workout. Whether it is done at home or in the gym, a good workout routine requires self-love, which means taking time out for yourself—even if that means just five minutes.
In those five minutes, apply one (or more) of these popular essential oils to help promote relaxation and allow you to enjoy everything else going on in your life.
