top of page

Stretching into Recovery: Why Rest is as Essential as the Workout

Writer's picture: Santina WheatSantina Wheat

If I’m being honest, my inability to stretch feels perfectly on brand for me. Ever since my mom passed away, I made a commitment to prioritize my health. While I’ll admit that maintaining healthy eating habits can still be a work in progress, I’ve been consistent with working out at least five times a week.


Women with white shirt and brown pants in lunge stretch
Actually getting in that stretch


But there’s one part of my fitness routine I neglect—stretching. More often than not, I squeeze in the workout but skip the stretches, both before and after. I tell myself I’m short on time, that stretching isn’t as important as the workout itself. Yet, I know better. This habit mirrors a deeper pattern in my life—an unwillingness to rest and recover.


The Cost of Neglecting Recovery


For years, I’ve held onto the belief that pushing through is the only way to succeed. I saw rest as wasted time, a luxury I couldn’t afford. But the truth is that skipping rest and recovery, whether in fitness or in life, doesn’t make me more productive—it makes me more prone to injury.


When I skip stretching, my body protests. I feel the tightness, the aches, and, sometimes, the strain that could have been prevented. Similarly, when I refuse to rest in my personal or professional life, I feel a different kind of hurt—burnout.


Burnout is more than exhaustion; it’s a depletion of energy and purpose. As a family physician and a career and life coach, I’ve seen this firsthand in myself and in the healthcare workers I coach. Many of us push through, believing rest is optional, only to find ourselves depleted and unable to show up fully for the things that matter most.


Why Recovery is Imperative


Whether it’s a post-workout stretch or a mental reset, recovery is essential for sustaining health, energy, and purpose. Here are the top three reasons why recovery matters:

1. Prevents Injury and Burnout

In fitness, skipping recovery leads to muscle strain and injuries. In life, neglecting recovery results in emotional and physical burnout. Recovery gives your body and mind the time they need to repair and recharge, protecting you from harm.

2. Builds Resilience

Recovery isn’t just about rest—it’s about rebuilding. When you allow yourself to pause, your body and mind grow stronger, more adaptable, and better equipped to handle future challenges. Resilience is built in the moments of rest, not just in the moments of action.

3. Enhances Performance and Purpose

Taking time to recover helps you show up at your best, whether it’s at the gym, at work, or in your relationships. Rest fuels focus, creativity, and joy, allowing you to stay aligned with your purpose and perform at a higher level.


Learning to Value the Pause


For me, the act of stretching is a tangible reminder to embrace recovery. Stretching forces me to slow down, to feel what my body needs, and to give it the care it deserves. Similarly, when I pause in my daily life—to reflect, to rest, to connect with my purpose—I’m reminded of how essential those moments are for my overall well-being.


As healthcare workers, many of us are conditioned to put others’ needs before our own. We’re taught to keep going, even when we’re running on empty. But what I’ve learned through my journey and through coaching is that we can’t pour from an empty cup. Rest and recovery are what refill us, enabling us to continue doing the work we love without losing ourselves in the process.


Your Stretch, Your Recovery


If you’re someone who struggles to prioritize recovery, I get it. It’s easy to feel like there’s always something more important, more urgent. But I want to remind you that recovery isn’t selfish—it’s what allows you to keep going.


Start small. Maybe it’s committing to stretch for two minutes after your workout. Maybe it’s carving out one evening a week for something that brings you joy. Whatever it is, know that every moment you give yourself to rest and recover is an investment in your resilience, your purpose, and your joy.


So, the next time you’re tempted to skip the stretch—whether in the gym or in life—remember this: recovery isn’t just a pause. It’s part of the process.


2 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page