I took off from the gym this week. As some of you may know, I have been following a 5/3/1 workout program but modifying it slightly to suit my ultra-intense lifestyle. One of the ways I modify it, is I take 1 week off as part of every 4-week cycle. In the 5/3/1 program, they normally do the same workouts for the final week of a 4-week cycle – but with super-light weights. I fail to see a point beyond the theoretical neurological benefit or practicing a movement with light weights and going for speed. I prefer to take a week to rest, and boy do I need it every single month!
The Taoists are fond of saying in the Tao Te Ching: “High winds do not last all day.” I apply that to exerting my body. You need to give it a rest, or else you’ll find yourself buying bottles of saw palmetto or something to repair it.
But resting your mind is even more important. If you run your mind to much you can fry your nerves. Too much energy can get stuck in your head. Not good. So take time off to do something that doesn’t require thought. I used to go work construction for free once in a while just to get out of my head. lol