Competing, recovering, strengthening, and building are all part of an athlete’s job. Many could argue that some sports have more physical demands than others, and while this may be true, all sports require a healthy athlete. Below, we discuss maintaining wellness as an athlete and why it’s essential.
Eat Balanced, Not Perfect
Eating a perfect diet is nearly impossible in today’s food market. Many shelf items at the store contain harmful chemicals and toxins, and produce can be expensive depending on your location. Your primary goal as an athlete should be eating a balanced diet, per your body’s metabolic breakdown, and avoiding perfection or restriction.
Your body’s ability to convert muscle and recover depends on your ability to nourish it appropriately. If you have access to a personal trainer, this individual can help you understand your individual health markers to ensure your diet meets these needs. Most athletes need to increase the amount of healthy fats and protein in their diets and adhere to a specified fluid intake.
Design a Calisthenics Routine
Calisthenics can go a long way toward improving your wellness as an athlete. Designing and maintaining a routine that’s designed for your body and sport can help you ensure optimal muscular preparedness and promote movement before your activity begins.
Even on your off days, you can return to your calisthenics routine and stretch the muscles to alleviate tenderness and promote recovery. Consider the following activities when designing your routine:
- Jumping jacks
- High knees
- Lunges
- Push-ups
- Sit-ups
Remember That Quality Rest Matters
Being an athlete means your body is under a lot of stress. Whether it’s situational to your sport, you’re in the offseason getting stronger, or you practice and train multiple times a day, adding more sessions into an already busy lifestyle can put your body through chaos.
While most of these activities are healthy, it’s imperative to dedicate time explicitly to rest. This might mean spending an hour on your living room sofa, but generally, the quality of rest you participate in will make or break your body’s recovery process. You may experience increased injury if you don’t meet your resting demands adequately.
Invest in Sport-Specific Gear
Investing in sport-specific gear is a general safety best practice, but it also ties into your ability to maintain your wellness as an athlete because you may increase your risk of injury or accidents by foregoing the necessary gear. Each sport has unique requirements about what is and isn’t required.
For example, if you play basketball, it might be ideal to invest in reinforced ankle supports to wear inside your basketball shoes. If you snowboard, an essential safety tip for these athletes is to invest in appropriate headgear. This can protect you from head injuries and trap heat in your upper region. Regardless of the sport you play, having the proper gear associated with the activity makes a big difference in maintaining your general well-being.
Athletes hold a lot of physical and mental power. But when their wellness suffers, injuries spike, interest levels decline, and retirement looms. Invest in your whole body’s well-being to ensure a long, healthy career in the sports and activities you enjoy the most.
