Feel like you’re too pooped to work out? It may not be your body that needs recharging—it could be your mind. In a British study, volunteers who were asked to do a mentally tiring task before riding a stationary bike became physically exhausted more quickly and stopped peddling 15% sooner than on another day when they were given a chance to rest their brain before doing the same cycling exercise, reports the Journal of Applied Physiology. A tired brain makes you perceive your body as tired, too, even when your muscles are really rarin’ to go, the researchers explain.
Easy fix: Fit in your workout in the morning before your brain gets fried from the day. Can’t wake up early enough? If you’ve had a mentally tiring day, take a few minutes to give your brain a break before your workout, for instance, by doing deep, slow breathing or visualizing a relaxing scene.
[photo: vestman]
