We have an organization in Norway called Olympiatoppen, they are
very competent on international-level sport issues. They are the guys who help all our top athletes. This is what I got from one of their physicians(who is, btw, the physician of the Norwegian cross-country skiing team):
Optimal restitution- Sufficient rest and sleep
- Avoid excessive heat and cold outside of training
- Plenty of fluid with carbohydrates and salt
- Sufficient intake of calories with much carbohydrates.
- Sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals
- Active cooling down and stretching out
- Massage and local muscular "detensification"(is that a word?)
- Sufficient recreational activities
- Minimal negative life stress.
I was thinking mainly of point #2 here.