the magic of magnesium
Fitness coach and menopause specialist, Rachel Hubbard, shares how using magnesium can support your workouts, recovery and sleep.
Magnesium has fast become a buzzword in the wellness space, and its use as a supplement to support sleep and recovery has risen in popularity in recent years. While many are now incorporating it into their wellbeing rituals, you may not be aware just how powerful and vital magnesium is for a whole host of bodily functions and how using it topically can be your secret weapon for better sleep and recovery.
At a basic level, magnesium is an essential mineral found in food, supplements, and bath and bodycare products that our body uses to regulate numerous processes that affect muscle function and metabolism, including oxygen uptake, energy production, and electrolyte balance. It plays an important role in supporting our immune system and hormone function, protecting our cardiovascular health, and maintaining membrane stability. It helps stabilise our cholesterol and blood sugar levels, supports bone formation, and maintains electrolyte balance. Without magnesium, our immune system is less robust, and deficiencies can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, insulin resistance, kidney infections, and overall oxidative damage, which speeds up the ageing process.
how does exercise support magnesium function?
Whilst we can get our Magnesium intake from food and supplements, it is more effective when paired with exercise, as muscle function and metabolic demands help move magnesium where it’s needed and work efficiently. We know the key role exercise plays in supporting our overall health and wellbeing, especially during menopause, when lower oestrogen levels mean we are unable to absorb magnesium as well as we used to.
Magnesium plays a crucial role in the contraction and relaxation of muscle tissue, and regular physical activity improves the overall functioning of the muscle, enhancing blood flow to help normalise blood pressure, reduce stress (which can also impair magnesium uptake), and support bone density. Finally, we see that being active stimulates and improves gastrointestinal function, and this enhanced gut health helps us absorb more magnesium from the foods and supplements we consume.
build your magnesium-rich ritual
So you've worked out for better health and Magnesium absorption - what now? Exercise is beneficial for all areas of our well-being, but it can leave our muscles sore and achy. When it comes to post-workout recovery, This Works has you covered this winter and beyond. Our Deep Sleep collection of Magnesium-enriched bath, body and sleepcare is science-backed, clinically proven, and designed to help support your muscles and mind recover, whether after a high-intensity circuit or a soothing stretch, in preparation for more peaceful, restorative sleep.
calm down with candlelight
Signal to the body it’s time to wind down and switch off by striking up a deep sleep heavenly candle, infused with the soothing scent of Lavender, Camomile and Vetivert. Whether it’s post-work or an evening workout, swapping overhead lights for dim lighting will help signal to the brain it’s nearly time for sleep.
soak sore muscles
Running a warm bath is the perfect after-exercise ritual. It warms the muscles and gives your brain and body time to switch back into calm mode. Throw a handful of deep sleep beauty soak into running water, and let the 5% magnesium-enriched salts with zinc and sodium relieve muscle tension and soothe the mind for better sleep.
massage with magnesium
Post bath, care for your skin and your muscles simultaneously with this award-winning formula. Deep sleep body whip is designed to relax your body through both the act of slow, gentle touch and the powerful active ingredients including Hemp Seed Extract, Copper PCA and Magnesium.
spritz for peaceful sleep
Finish off your evening post-exercise ritual by spritzing your pillow, bed linens, and pyjamas with our bestselling, multi-award-winning sleep aid, deep sleep pillow spray. Formulated with Lavender, Camomile and Vetivert to activate parts of the brain associated with relaxation as you inhale, and send you into a peaceful, restorative sleep that naturally aids the muscle repair process.
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