Having your season end as an athlete can be hard. You might be still processing emotions and memories, feel stuck reminiscing, or even catch yourself lost without a training and game schedule. Suddenly, you have all this time and whether you are experiencing negative or positive feelings towards this, It is important to check inwards and take care of yourself. Self-care is vital to the development and internal growth towards personal evolution. While it can seem like a second thought, attempt to remind yourself of these 4 tips for self-care as an athlete postseason.
- HYDRATE
In order for your body to recover, hydration is key for essential functions to thrive, such as circulation, keeping joints lubricated, delivering nutrients to cells, helping melatonin flow through the body, and balancing hormones (Harvard Public Health Education, 2017). Coming out of your season, the body is trying to reclaim its innate state. Women need 11 cups of water a day, therefore, listening to the cravings for hydrating foods, vitamins, minerals, and water is essential for your body to create balance within itself. You can get these vitality-bringing foods from watermelon, honeydew, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, and bell peppers (UCLA Health, 2022).
- FUEL
You’ve probably heard how to fuel for performance, but what about how to fuel for recovery? Eating high-quality proteins, fibrous, and amino acid-filled foods will help support your body’s healing of cells, tissue, and muscular functions (National Library of Medicine, 2022). These benefits can be found in lean meats, fish, eggs, lentils, nuts, and most dairy products. Some easy ways to incorporate protein into your diet can be a simple peanut butter, banana and honey bagel, avocado toast with an egg on top, cottage cheese with your favorite fruit or even a salmon or chicken salad.
- CYCLE SYNC
As an athlete, you are most likely in tune with your cycle. Maybe you have lost your regular menstruation during your strenuous season, possibly are having painful periods, or have not experienced any change. A woman’s cycle length is generally 28 days with 4 phases lasting 7 days each (In the Flow, 2020). There is no “normal” cycle, therefore your body is unique to itself. Being in tune with your innate biological clock helps to manage stress, regulate emotions, be more involved in listening to yourself and even connect on a deeper level with your body. Ways you can help yourself cycle sync is tracking your period either on a calendar or app, noticing changes in either mood, eating habits, or sleep shifts (In the Flow, 2020), and finally, giving yourself grace. For most women and young athletes, navigating your cycle can be challenging, but embracing the strength within your biology is only creating synergy between a healthier life and You.
- LOOK INWARDS
While your season has come to an end, and whether you are on to the next or have new free time, it does not matter. There is an opportunity in front of you for a new chapter. If there are goals you’ve wanted to achieve but haven’t got around to doing them, now is the time. Maybe it’s journaling, going to bed an hour earlier, or trying out yoga. Whatever it is, take advantage of these new phases in your life. Although it might seem insignificant to some, something ending can just as well be a new beginning.