Wintertime may make you want to curl up by the warm fire, but for us, wellness is a year-round passion. Especially during the colder months, post-workout muscles often need extra care. That’s why a growing number of fitness enthusiasts are exploring the all-natural plant power of CBD as part of their routine.

If you’re interested in caring for your body this season, today’s post is for you. Take a look at why muscles can feel sore after working out, how cold weather may change your workout routine, and some general ways to support your post-exercise wellness.

Muscle Recovery: Why Do We Get Sore After a Workout?

No matter what kind of exercise or wellness routine you subscribe to—yoga, cycling, or tennis, to name just a few—you’ve probably noticed that certain muscles can feel strained afterward, especially if it’s been a little while since your last workout.

The reason for this, typically, is something called delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMs. DOMs are a normal response to exercise and reflect the natural breakdown and rebuilding of muscle fibers as they adapt to new levels of activity.

Unless you’re experiencing severe discomfort—in which case you should take a break from your workout routine until the sensation subsides—exercise and the mild achiness that follows can be a common part of muscle adaptation.

If your muscles are sore, many experts recommend gentle exercise to build endurance and post-workout stretching to support comfort. Other approaches for post-workout care include topicals or oils, such as the popular Releaf options.

You may have used topical “heat rub” products such as Mentholatum or Bengay, which produce a characteristic sensation of heat or prickliness on the skin. Some fitness experts aren’t so keen on them, noting that they may numb or distract from sensations.

The Endocannabinoid System and Recovery

Cannabinoids such as CBD interact with our bodies through a network called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is believed to be one of the body’s principal regulatory systems and plays a role in maintaining balance.

The ECS works with natural chemicals known as cannabinoids. Some, called endocannabinoids, are produced within the body. Others are found in the cannabis plant or its cousin, hemp—such as CBD.

Researchers continue to study how plant cannabinoids may influence responses related to exercise and overall well-being. Many people include CBD in their post-workout routine to complement their wellness goals.

Supporting Your Workout in Colder Temperatures

If you live in a warm climate, you may find that winter doesn’t have much of an impact on how your muscles feel after exercise. But for the rest of us, cold temperatures may influence feelings of tightness and sensitivity post-workout. According to some fitness experts, it’s not uncommon to feel extra tightness and discomfort around working out during colder months.

If that’s the case, spending a little extra time warming up before an intense workout may help, and some people adjust their routine or supplement choices accordingly for seasonal changes.

Do you have other questions about incorporating CBD into your routine? Just ask! We’re here to help.