Five Ways to Prevent Muscle Pain

Pulling or straining a muscle is easier than most people think. It can happen to the fittest athletes and even the most limber young children, not just older adults. This type of injury can take some time to heal, which reduces the ability to exercise in the meantime. Luckily, muscle pain can be prevented by using the following five easy tips:  

 

Don't Forget to Stretch 

 

It is a good idea to stretch before performing any physical tasks, such as moving boxes in the garage or mowing the lawn. It might seem silly, but it will warm the muscles up, so they won't be injured as easily. Be sure to do some cool-down moves afterwards too. This can be walking at a slower pace for a few minutes or performing a few yoga stances. 

 

Take Your Vitamins 

 

Healthy muscles depend upon a person getting the proper amount of nutrition. A balanced diet of lean protein, whole grains, and lots of fruits and vegetables is usually enough for most people, but if someone is struggling with their diet, it helps to take a multivitamin that has potassium and magnesium in it. Potassium is needed for the muscles to contract, and magnesium aids in the muscle's ability to relax. So without enough of them, a person can get a muscle injury much more easily.  

 

Don't Go Without Sleep 

 

The importance of getting enough rest can't be emphasized enough. It is crucial to a person's overall health and well-being. Sleep gives the muscles time to rest and recuperate too.  

 

Avoid Activities That Could Hurt Muscles 

 

While it is good to work your way up to goals that increase your stamina and performance, trying to do too much at once can cause an injury. It is best to prevent injuries by avoiding any activities that cause pain. If the activities are really important to you, try coming back to them later after you stretch. Or have a friend give you a hand with them. 

 

Drink Enough Water  

 

Muscle tissue needs water to stay flexible and strong. Most sports drinks that claim to be better than plain tap water are loaded with sugar that causes inflammation and swelling, so never fall prey to this type of false advertising. Plain water is the only liquid a person really needs to stay healthy. 

 

As you can see, taking care of your health helps to prevent muscle pain and injuries. If you do happen to get sore despite following these tips, consider using a muscle pain relief cream, such as a product like Super Blue Stuff OTC, to help ease your pain.