3 Healthful Tips to Make Your Rest Day Actually Restful

3 tips to make your rest day actually restful — recovery and recharge, from Root'd

Rest days aren't just about skipping workouts—they're about giving your body and mind the recovery they need. But let's be real: how often do we say we're "resting" while scrolling our phones, skipping meals, or stressing about the next day?

Whether you're an athlete, a busy professional, or simply trying to maintain a balanced lifestyle, making the most of your rest days can have a huge impact on how you feel and perform. If your rest days aren't leaving you refreshed, Danielle (one of our amazing Root'd Athletes) has three simple but powerful tips to help you recover the right way—so you can come back stronger, recharged, and ready to take on whatever comes next!

1. Rest Day Doesn't Mean No Movement

A woman doing gentle light stretching on a yoga mat in a sunlit living room on a rest day

Taking a break doesn't mean becoming a couch potato (though relaxing has its place too). Instead, think of rest days as an opportunity for intentional movement that supports recovery rather than drains your energy.

Try:

Light stretching or yoga to release tension and ease muscle stiffness.
A slow outdoor walk for fresh air and circulation, and a mental reset.
Mobility work to keep your joints happy and injury-free.

Gentle movement keeps your body feeling loose and limber without overexerting it.

2. Don't Turn Rest Day Into a "Forget-to-Eat" Day

Anti-inflammatory recovery foods: salmon, mixed berries, turmeric and Greek yogurt with nuts

Just because you're not working out doesn't mean your body doesn't need fuel. Skipping meals can leave you feeling sluggish, and your muscles still need nutrients to recover. Keep your energy levels balanced with:

Protein to support muscle repair and recovery.*
Anti-inflammatory foods like salmon, berries, and turmeric to aid in reducing soreness.*
Hydration — electrolytes help replenish what's lost and keep you feeling refreshed!*

Skipping meals or neglecting hydration can leave you feeling sluggish instead of restored. Proper nourishment ensures that your body actually benefits from the recovery process.

3. Give Your Brain a Break, Too

Rest days aren't just about your muscles—they're also a chance to step away from stress and recharge mentally. Make it a true reset by incorporating:

Phone-free time—step away from the constant notifications and endless scrolling to reduce screen fatigue and be more present.
Extra sleep— to help your body repair and boost overall well-being.*
Breathwork or meditation— even five minutes can calm your nervous system and improve relaxation.*

The goal is to wake up feeling recharged, not like you wasted the day on endless distractions.

The Takeaway

Root'd Athlete Danielle holding a Root'd drink after a restful recovery day
Root'd Athlete Danielle (@hiyayell) makes recovery part of the routine.

Rest days should work for you, not leave you feeling groggy, stiff, or under-fueled. A little movement, mindful nutrition, and real mental downtime can turn your rest day into the recovery your body actually needs.

So, how do you spend your rest days? Let us know in the comments! And if you're looking for an easy way to stay hydrated while you recover, check out Root'd—packed with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes to help you feel your best.

Root'd Advanced Daily Nutrition MULTI + electrolytes drink mix

MULTI + Electrolytes — for Her

Recover and recharge

★★★★½ 4.7 · 794 verified reviews

Choose your supply

Learn more about Root'd MULTI →

🔒 Free shipping · 60-day love guarantee · sugar-free electrolytes + 25 nutrients

More Hydration Tips For You!


Leave a comment

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


Quick view
Root'd Her MULTI coral pouch — women's hydrating multivitamin drink mix with 25 nutrients and electrolytes, 30 count
Root'd Her MULTI women's hydrating multivitamin drink mix pouch with a mixed glass
Advanced Daily Nutrition - Formulated for Her
Get Hers
Quick view
Root'd His MULTI blue pouch — men's hydrating multivitamin drink mix with 24 nutrients and 9 superfoods, 30 count
Root'd His MULTI men's hydrating multivitamin drink mix pouch with a mixed glass
Advanced Daily Nutrition - Formulated for Men
Get His
Quick view
Root'd Prenatal MULTI purple pouch — hydrating prenatal vitamin drink mix with 25 nutrients and methylfolate, 30 count
Root'd Prenatal MULTI prenatal vitamin drink mixed in a glass beside the pouch on a kitchen counter
Essential Prenatal Nutrition + Electrolytes
Get Prenatal
Quick view
Essential Prenatal Nutrition + Electrolytes & DHA
Essential Prenatal Nutrition + Electrolytes & DHA
Essential Prenatal Nutrition + Electrolytes & DHA
Get Prenatal + DHA

View all

View all