Confession: I used to really struggle with rest days. I can get so antsy and yes, get FOMO that some of my running group is running while I am not. More recently, I’ve come to realize the importance of taking a rest day from running. I am fully aware that rest days are crucial to staying injury-free and to achieving peak performance. So why are they so hard to do? Worry no more, I’ve got 5 ideas on how to stay busy on your rest day.
5 Ways To Stay Busy On Your Rest Day
Try out one of these rest day activities to stay busy on your off day. Maybe you won’t even miss your run.
Cook it up
Runners are always thinking about food and what to eat prerun or for post run refueling. Rest days are great for grocery shopping, meal planning, and meal prep.
Organize
That closet you have been meaning to organize? The laundry that you meant to sort and put away? Organization is a great way to stay busy on a rest day.
Make plans with nonrunning friends
If the majority of your social life is centered around running, it is easy to neglect other friends in your life Rest days are the perfect time to schedule a lunch or coffee date with nonrunning friends or family.
Schedule Dr/dentist appt
No one wants to give up precious running time to spend in a Dr or Dentist’s office. Try scheduling those appointments on rest days. Makes them a little less painful.
Daytime movie date
Popcorn anyone? Plan a daytime movie date (at home) or board game day with your spouse or kids.
Bonus idea**
Spend your rest day researching and planning future running races.
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I am not good at resting on rest days! It was funny when I was in Florida, I had trouble relaxing. That is not good. I think I need to go back and work on that…
I have the same problem! Sounds like a good plan though
Oh how I struggle with this as well and end up doing some kind of workout on a rest day. These are great ideas. I usually end up in the kitchen or start organizing a closet or something!
I know why is it so hard?!
I totally embrace my rest days. I do like to cook on them, because then I have the time (sometimes) but all that time on my feet can be really tiring too!
And speaking of folding laundry . . . that’s on my to-do list for today. And yes, it’s a rest day. Although I do active rest — planning some yoga (at home today) and the dogs always need to be walked.
Sounds like your rest days are busy too!
I try do still do some form of activity on rest days. I have a hard time wanting to cook, because it can’t be anything indulgent if I didn’t run right?
ha I guess not! I usually prep veggies, eggs and grains for the week that keeps me busy
These days I have no problem with rest days. 🙂 And of course, this time of year my work is so busy that sometimes I have to take a rest day whether I want to or not! I love movie date idea (and of course, retail therapy is always a good thing).
The movie date was a fun one!
I’m usually not too antsy with rest days, BUT I get super antsy if my plans change and I switch my rest days. Clearly I am not a professional athlete or elite runner, but when I plan my runs and work-outs, I get frustrated if I have to change it. I need to work on flexibility!
Sunday is almost always a rest day so I’m with you on the cooking and meal prepping. That alone is a work-out. 🙂
Oh I am such a creature of habit as well. I hate it when I have to switch up my rest days too
I love the idea a daytime movie date. I’m definitely going to have to implement that on a rest day soon. One thing I do on rest days when I’m going a little stir crazy is run an errand so I don’t have to do it after work.
Yes that definitely helps too!
This is definitely me! Unless I’m super sore, I have such a hard time actually taking a rest day. A good one for me is taking a walk! (Is that still considered a rest day?)
Hmm depends who you ask!! 🙂
Usually my rest days are because I’m so exhausted from my workouts, work and family life. They do include walking my dog and lots of house-hold chores though. Not much of a rest day!
household chores can be a lot of unexpected exercise
Haha, I like this post – I always go nuts on my rest days, like I have too much time on my hands!
Yes exactly!!
The meal prep is a great idea for rest days! Plus, then you’re stocked for those busy workout days.
Yes exactly!
I embrace my rest day each week. I make Friday my rest day so I can sit on the couch and relax after a busy week.
That sounds like a great plan!
These are great tips! When I do meal prep, it’s usually on Sundays (eventhough I workout that day). Moving it to Friday would probably make more sense 🙂
I also try to schedule appointments on my rest days since I have more free time.
yes I do like to meal prep on rest days gives me purpose
I usually just stay busy with work, but I should definitely take up some of these activities to stay busy in a better way 🙂
well you have kids so never any rest days!
Yay! I definitely like doing all my meal prep on my rest day! :]!
It sure helps!
On my rest days i usually like you said try to make plans with my non fitness friends to hang out or better still sleep in all day and blog lolll. Boring me
Well that works too!
Like you, I do a lot of “light” workouts often times on rest days. Of course, that is all relative, right? 😉 I usually am pretty good about keeping those light workouts pretty light and non-invasive, though.
Yes I know it’s so hard for active people to take a break!
I have no problem resting on my rest days. 🙂 I’m a gold medalist in resting!
Good for you! I kind of envy that
Your extra bonus made me chuckle … feed the addiction 😉
Ha ha always 🙂
These are all great ideas! Rest days are the best days! I usually take advantage of getting together with friends since my free time is so limited!
You have all that wedding planning to do as well!
Yep, I definitely gets antsy on rest days! If I take them on a work day I don’t notice as much, but weekends are hard. I definitely like to cook and meal prep when I have extra time on a rest day.
The weekends are hard!
Great ideas! I tried to take more rest days this week instead of jumping back into long workouts every day and focus on getting other things done on rest days but it didn’t go as well as planned. Hoping to get more done next week. I also ended up working out 4 out of 5 days instead of 3 as planned, plus debating tomorrrow.
My to do list did not go as planned this week either!
Cooking and food prep on rest days are key for me to stay on top of eating well. Otherwise it’s a slippery slope to fast food town. 🙂
Ha ha yes it can be!
I try to clean the house on my rest day! Gets me moving and I feel accomplished when I am done. 🙂
I do laundry on those days too!
Daytime movie date is a GREAT idea 😀 I love it and I’m excited to share this idea withm my hubby. He will love it too i just know that. Between organizing, cooking and movie date, I think it’s pretty obvious what I would choose 😉
Perfect hope you 2 get out on a movie date soon!
I think I am one of the rare runners that love rest day and taper periods! I always have a list a mile long of things to do!!
That is fabulous!
Oh I can SO relate. I am terrible at rest days! I end up doing yoga or at least a walk. These are great ideas to take to heart when I feel the need to workout on my next rest day!
I know it’s really hard to sit still!
I never have a shortage of things to keep me busy. With an active 2 year old I feel like my to do list is always growing, especially around the house.
I do remember those days! Give it 10 years you will have way more time 🙂
I know what you mean! I usually take a rest day over the weekend, and will take my dog for a long walk at the park or beach. And then since chances are pretty good that my body will be feeling a bit achy from my week’s workouts, I’ll usually do some light yoga, stretching & foam rolling. I’ve found that this combo of light exercise on rest days works well for me and leaves me feeling rejuvenated & ready for a sweat session the next day!
Yes it definitely does!
On rest days I just take more time for the things I do on other days as well like playing the piano, working on my blog or doing chores.
That works too!
I really appreciate having extra time on rest days! I don’t think I ever have the problem of getting bored any more lol. There is always something to do! But now when I take rest days on a day off from work I usually try to get out for a walk.
Getting out for a walk is always nice
I actually had a dentist appointment yesterday (and it was a non-running day) 😉 I may have also done some easy biking in the morning, and a couple of walks later….I prefer to stay “in motion,” even if it’s just very light stuff.
That works too!
I actually had a dentist appointment yesterday (and it was a non-running day) 😉 I may have also done some easy biking in the morning, and a couple of walks later….I prefer to stay “in motion,” even if it’s just very light stuff.
I have no trouble keeping busy on rest days.
But I usually do not sit still – I’ll hike or walk or bike. Rest days for me are NO running.
That works too!
I still embrace my rest days! I usually have plenty of non-running projects going on — I’m very rarely bored!
I have come to embrace them myself
I’ll have to try using a rest day as a meal planning/prep day!
It’s a great way to get it done let me know how it goes for you
I know I run everyday but I take my easy days easy and run slower. Sometimes I walk if needed. Does that count? 🙂
Depends who you ask! 🙂
I have really learned to embrace my rest days! As you said, it’s a great time for meal prep and house projects. And some days, I purposefully do a whole lot of nothing 🙂
That sounds really smart! Respecting my rest days has really helped me tremendously
I used to feel AWFUL on rest days. What I do now is, schedule my complete day off for the day after my long run (when I probably feel like I need it) and that day right now is Monday. I work on Mondays and have an active job, so I keep busy and moving around all day. It’s been working pretty well!
btw I like the idea of scheduling an unpleasant appointment for your rest day- that way you get it over with and have a feeling of accomplishment even though you didn’t run!
Yes exactly if it works to schedule other appointments that day it sure helps. I also used to dread my off days. I realize the importance of them for me now and try to make the most of it
These are great ideas! I love cooking and planning new races. It’s just so much fun!
Sure is!
these are all great suggestions Deborah! As I was complaining for the 10th time this week about my sore knees my husband said to me “maybe you should really rest on your rest days…” I guess I just don’t feel like I’m training hard enough to really rest. But he may have a point.
I do believe he has a point! We can just keep that between us girls though 🙂
Great tips! I love scheduling doctors appointments for those days – get them all knocked out
yep exactly!
You always have the best ideas and think of things I wouldn’t think to do! I love reading your blog!
well thanks so much Leslie