Play Hard, Sleep Hard Summer

Play Hard, Sleep Hard Summer

 

It’s no secret we get more active when the sun is out and the weather is warmer, especially if we have a moderate summer. We add so many activities to our list of things to do and are so busy with them from sunup to sundown that it might come as a surprise when we lay down at night and our bodies are sore. Have you increased the following activities in your life lately? 

 

·        Hiking

·        Running outdoors

·        Pickleball

·        Softball

·        Beach volleyball

·        Street basketball

·        Swimming

·        Dog walking

·        Playing with kids

·        Drawing on sidewalks with chalk

 

It’s perfectly normal to discover new aches and pains in your body as a result of fun new summer events. In this article, we will talk about how these activities will affect new muscles and parts of the body.

 

Summer Activity Pains 

Whether you are active with family on vacation or everyday life during the summer, below you’ll find a list of events that will leave your muscles and joints aching (sometimes screaming) in a different sort of way at the end of the day. 

Scan down the list below to find your activity. While some of this may come as no surprise to you, keep in mind that no matter your fitness level, your body will feel the residual effect of your increased summer activity.

 

Hiking - There are so many beautiful hiking trails around the Ozarks. When you take into consideration the diverse skill levels and physical abilities of each family member, it’s possible that aches at the end of the day will be different for everyone. Here are some obvious sore spots you might notice when you lay down at night after a long, scenic summer hike: feet and ankles, calves, quadriceps, glutes, and abs. 

 

Running outdoors - Be sure you have a good pair of running shoes, especially if you are just taking up this form of exercise. Whether road running on the pavement or trail running, the right shoes are going to be essential. Among other things, running is guaranteed to have an effect on the following parts of the body: feet and ankles, Achilles tendons, calves, quadriceps, glutes, and abs.

 

Pickleball - This sport is all the rage right now. It’s growing in popularity because there’s relatively low cost to get started, it’s easy to learn, and it appeals to all skill levels. If you join a league or play recreationally with friends, you might notice increased soreness in unexpected places. This is particularly true if pickleball is new to you. Here are some areas of potential aches and pains to be on the lookout for: hands, wrists, arms, forearms, elbows, biceps and triceps, upper and lower back, abs, glutes, and quadriceps. 

 

Softball/baseball - This is a great activity to involve the whole family, neighborhood kids, adult friends, competitors, or coworkers. You can play for fun, competitively, or for general bonding. This is a sport where you need the right equipment to experience success. It comes down to your shoes (often you need cleats), a good broken-in glove, a helmet, a bat, and if you are playing catcher, you need protective gear. Depending on the positions you play, both softball and baseball are going to be very physical to almost every area of the body. Here’s a list of body parts that may be affected: hands, wrists, arms, forearms, elbows, biceps and triceps, neck, upper and lower back, abs, glutes, quadriceps, knees, calves, Achilles tendons, ankles and feet, lungs and chest, head, and shoulders. (Note there could be way more than this.)

 

Beach volleyball - Often this sport requires a specialized facility (such as Volleyball Beach Ozark, which is one of the biggest indoor beach volleyball facilities in the US) or a trip to the beach. Some tournaments are held in places like Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Gulf Shores, Alabama; and Martin, Tennessee. The parts of the body that get the most action with beach volleyball are listed here: hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, neck, abs, calves, quads, and feet. 

 

Street basketball - Some street ball teams can be brutal with the competition. Depending on the loosely you follow the rules of this outdoor sport (some games might not call any fouls) you might find yourself slammed around in addition to dribbling, jogging up court, jumping, and shooting. In short, street basketball is going to be a very physical sport that requires all muscles, tendons, and body parts to be in a state of peak fitness. Obviously, take into account the level of the team you play with. For this activity, you will want a good pair of light sneakers, a court with a few hoops, and a quality basketball. This is a full-body sport, and you should be prepared for general soreness everywhere. 

 

Swimming - Now here’s an activity the kids can do for hours. It keeps us cool in the hot sun and is considered a low-impact sport. But did you know the amount of energy you and your kids are expending is sure to wipe you out at night and help you sleep well? Don’t let the fact that swimming is low impact make you think you won’t be sore when you lie down at night. Swimming requires a decent amount of activity from the arms, legs, abs, and lungs. 

 

Walking the dog - While it’s true that walking the dog can come with many pit stops along the way, you can also experience unexpected aches and pains at the end of the day, especially if you aren’t used to walking long distances. Walking builds endurance. While it’s not quite as taxing on your body (muscles and joints) as running, you’re sure to feel some residual effects from this exercise, especially if it’s new.

 

Playing with your kids - There are different degrees of activity when kids play at the park. There are also variants like how old and how mobile your child is. Regardless, if you are running, pushing children on swings, sliding down slides, and hanging from monkey bars, you are likely to experience some soreness at the end of the day. The affected areas will be determined by how active you are. 

 

Drawing on sidewalks with chalk - This activity is less obvious, and if it seems like this wouldn’t affect your body at all, think again. Squatting, putting your body at awkward angles, and sitting on the hard pavement for long lengths of time will create some tension in your muscles in places you didn’t know you had.

 

We’ve listed some muscles, body parts, and joints that you might be surprised to find are sore when you lay your head down on the pillow. Speaking of pillows, how’s yours? For that matter, how is your mattress? Does your mattress set you up for a deep, restorative sleep that will help your body and give you the boost you need to get you out there to try new activities all over again the next day? 

 

Play Hard, Relax, and Sleep Well 

Your mattress has everything to do with having a restorative night’s sleep. How does yours help or harm you? Getting a good night’s rest during summer break doesn’t have to be impossible. While the excitement of family fun gives you an adrenaline boost, it’s possible to come down from that, relax, and get a good night’s sleep. If you find you can’t sleep and nothing has changed from your normal routine, it might be time to consider getting a new mattress. To take a touch of relaxation home with you, check out mattresses online at sleep gallery. Better yet, go into Beautyrest Sleep Gallery and talk to a sleep expert. They might even let you take a nap on a mattress to make sure the bed is going to be a good fit for you. Beautyrest Sleep Gallery wants you to nap and sleep well when you get home from summer break.