Regeneration is one of the most underrated factors in performance and health.

In particular individuals, who constantly have to perform at a high level or are faced with considerable daily challenges (so-called high performers), often think rest, recovery and regeneration are to be ignored at best or a sign of weakness at worst.

However, if we look at top athletes, we will see that above a certain level, comprehensive regeneration is an integrative part of training and daily life.

These athletes don’t just train in their respective sports, but also practice mobility and stability. Their nutrition is focused on health and performance, their micronutrient balance is strictly adhered to and monitored regularly and insufficiencies are remedied with supplements. They practice yoga, autogenic training, mindfulness and meditation, they sleep sufficiently and employ osteopaths, physiotherapists, massage therapists, etc.

Why? Because it is evident that these are all major contributing factors to an athlete’s maximum performance output.

Us ‘normal’ people also sometimes perform at a very high level, but we usually only regenerate when we no longer have a choice because we’re close to collapse. This is counterproductive.

When the cells in our bodies don’t get enough time to regenerate, their capacity to produce energy keeps decreasing. When our basic systems – our nervous and endocrine systems – are off-balance, the rest of our bodily functions will deteriorate.

Of course, we can’t spend hours every day on recovery, but at the very least, we can acknowledge that regeneration and recuperation are essential factors in health and performance and observe them accordingly.

Finding ways to recover that can be integrated regularly into a busy life is key. It’s a relatively small investment which leads to very positive long-term returns, once its importance becomes clear and attention is paid accordingly.

There are myriad possibilities for regeneration, like body therapy, energetics, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises and much more.

Making time to recover is an ideal investment towards a healthy and energised life.