Want to reduce soreness after a workout? Make time for this 4-step routine

Want to reduce soreness after a workout? Make time for this 4-step routine toggle caption Beck Harlan/NPR Before Anna Cockrell became a professional track and field athlete, she didn't always cool down or stretch after exercising. But many people don't prioritize these activities after working out, says Dr. Natasha Desai, co-director of the Center for Women's Sports Medicine at NYU Langone Health. Sponsor Message "People usually only schedule time for that physical stress — and none for support and self-care, which is a recipe for disaster in the long-term," she says. Just as you wouldn't jump immediately into the hardest portion of your exercise session, "it's a bad idea to go straight from your last rep to your car," says Cockrell.