HRV/Let’s talk about recovery

Let’s talk about recovery. Or since that’s BOOOOOOOORING let’s talk about how long it takes to recover after doing terrible things to your body.

The image attached is my heart rate variability (HRV) stats from my last vacation. We got back early Friday morning, this picture is from Tuesday at the gym, and my HRV is STILL recovering. I’m just starting to feel like a real human again.

If you’re not familiar with HRV - basically it's a measurement of the interval between heart beats, and higher variability is generally considered more healthy. Your personal healthy range for HRV is unique to you, based on genetics, stress, lifestyle, etc etc.

Think of your HRV and these other metrics as a power meter in a video game. When you’re living clean and your numbers are in the green, you’re at full power. When you have a day or two in the yellow or red, naturally your power is diminished, your body (and mind) are going to take more damage, and repair slower

Takeaways from this image - 6 days of partying HARD on a beach took a toll on my body/mind. Not pictured, but my sleep quality (not quantity) was also in the toilet, my resting heart rate (normally in the 50s) was near 100, and my breathing rate (BR) was elevated. This is while I’m on a “relaxing destination beach” vacation.

Zero regrets. Not even one minute or letter. I had an awesome time with great people and when you’re on vacation you should too.

But this same thing happens almost every week in America when we’re not on a week-long vacation. When we finally let loose on Friday night, go out for drinks and wake up Saturday morning not feeling quite our best; this is happening. We most likely don’t make the best food choices Saturday because our tum-tum is upset, and that comfort food continues to make us feel lazy and unmotivated; chances are excellent we have a few more beverages Saturday night, because it's Saturday, why not?

The spiral of declining HRV, increased HR, increased BR, low quality sleep, lack of motivation to eat right or exercise continues, and it takes us DAYS to recover from this. Like until Wednesday the next week, you FINALLY start to feel like a normal human again (sound familiar?). But Wednesday is volleyball and happy hour with the team, so naturally we’re going out for margaritas……..

Why is this important? When you ask yourself: why did I get hurt today at the gym? Why is my (insert injury) not healing as fast as I think it should? Why is my mental health off? Why can’t I make progress in the gym, lose weight or keep it off? Why am I not mentally sharp today? You might not ever be letting your power meter fill all the way up