When it comes to getting some self-care, athletes are often viewed as being so selfish. You see vivid pictures of them living their lives on social media, enjoying traveling the world, and just eating what they want.
But are they just seizing their limited free time – or are they actually doing something good for their bodies and minds? Here’s Dr Bruce Grossinger to explain the importance of self-care to athletes.
Self-Care Is Still Something That Many People Are Unfamiliar With
Every adult should always note that self-care isn’t just for pro athletes, but also for basically those who just feel like they need some extra TLC.
Self-care can be given in many forms: getting some sleep, eating your favorites, exercising, spending quality time with friends and family (or pets!), meditating/yoga, going on your planned vacation, or simply taking mini-breaks from work when needed…the list goes on!
But no matter which popular self-care activities you choose, the goal is always the same: just make sure that your physical health is pampered thoroughly so that you can perform at your best in your games.
What Is Self-Care, Anyway?
Self-care is a trending buzzword that has been making its way into the sports world nowadays – but what exactly is it?
Self-care is simply taking care of yourself by getting what you want, and it’s not a luxury – it’s a necessity! A lot of athletes now think they don’t have time to relax or eat well. But if you don’t take care of your body and mind by practicing some self-care, then your sports performance will suffer badly. Remember: self-care isn’t selfish, it’s smart!
Why Is Self-Care So Important For Athletes?
For many people, sports are used to escape from the tough pressures of everyday life. For athletes who play sports on professional levels, though, the demands placed on them are way more intense than what regular people think – making them more vulnerable to sporting burnout.
How Can You Practice Self-Care As An Athlete?
When it comes to athlete’s self-care, Dr Bruce Grossinger needs you to remember that you can’t do everything to pamper yourself at once. That one solution here is finding the needed healthy balance between your physical and mental needs.
First of all, practicing self-care for athletes can be done in many forms. Some of them may prefer going for walks in nature. While others might find solace in spending some time with friends or family members who support them unconditionally. After all, it’s all about finding what self-care works best for each athlete.
Other than that, you should put yourself first sometimes, especially when it comes to taking care of your body after workouts or competitions (like icing sore muscles).
Doing this can surely help prevent injuries from occurring further, but also because it’s obviously hard to just get through those first few weeks without feeling completely exhausted! So take some time off now while things are still fresh instead of later when they start feeling old again.