Strike The Balance: 3 Tips For A More Holistic Fitness Routine

If we want to make a change and feel healthier, the answer isn't just hitting the treadmill every day. That might work for a while, but it's only a matter of time before other aspects of our health start demanding attention too—like how we're nourishing our body and whether we're giving it adequate time to rest. Our culture places a lot of value on doing, on working hard, and there's legitimacy there. But we also have to recognize that sometimes, doing less means achieving more. Below are three simple ways to strike the balance and achieve a more holistic fitness routine.

A holistic fitness routine is one that prioritizes balance—equal parts rigor and rest. To complement that cardio workout, are we taking the rest day our achy body is asking for? Better yet, are we providing our body the nutrients it needs post-sweat?

If you're super committed to a fitness goal, taking a break can feel harder than a workout. But again, recovery is imperative for our body to find homeostasis and build more strength. Studies have shown that our body requires a full 24 hours to restore our muscles' levels of glycogen, which is key to stabilizing blood sugar levels. Plus, our body requires rest to rebuild muscle tissues. Not only should we take our rest days, but we should also celebrate them.

In the spirit of holistic health, why not double down and support your mind as well as your body? Now more than ever, we know that mental health is just as important as physical fitness. Next time you're eating breakfast or taking a leisurely walk after work, listen to an empowering podcast. Another great way to practice mindfulness is by adding forms of mindful movement, like yoga, to your weekly workout mix or a few minutes of breath work to your high-impact circuit. When the body and mind are on the same page, there's nothing standing in your way.

When we hear things like total wellness or holistic health, we tend to think of them as distant goals versus something that's achievable. If we only know one way, like muscling our way across the finish line, then of course total wellness can feel like a fantasy. But it becomes real within the context of balance—where nutrition, fitness, and rest have found a flow that fills our cup. Sometimes we really just need that rest day and proper nutrients to help us get to a version of healthy that finally feels sustainable.