It has been about three weeks since all of our lives drastically changed. We went from being full-time student athletes grinding hard on the court/field and in the classroom to being home with no practice and online learning. We were used to a set schedule that we had for years. That has all changed. Now, we are left very confused and frustrated.
However, in these three weeks I have learned that while our lives may be different for now, we are still the same. We can still do many things that we had been doing before this period of social distancing, but perhaps in a different way. Here is what I have been doing, and what I believe other athletes should be doing too.
Exercise.
This is probably not surprising for many, but it is important to continue exercising during this period. Our bodies were so adapted to daily physical activity, so suddenly stopping will only make it harder for us to get back in the grind when all of this is over.
Although most of us don’t have access to a gym like we did at our school, there is still a lot we can do that does not require any equipment. Since this quarantine, many people are posting workouts online that we can do to stay in shape. Also, going on a simple run or walk is better than nothing, right?
Rest.
Not only should we be exercising, but rest is just as important. Rest is something that we never got enough of during season, so let’s take advantage of any rest we can get. If you are suffering from any sort of chronic injury, take this time to heal and refresh your body.
Instead of watching one more episode of that Netflix series you’ve been binging, get an extra hour of sleep. Trust me, you need it.
Stay In Contact.
Whether it’s your professor you are needing help from, your teammates, or your friends, it is important to stay in contact with the people important to you. Being stuck in your house all day can we quite lonely and boring, so try to FaceTime or call someone at least once a day.
My team has decided to do weekly Zoom meeting to catch up on our lives, and it has been a lot of fun. I have also been playing “virtual” Uno with my friends. This is one time in our lives where we must take advantage of how quickly we can connect with one another virtually.
Pick Up A Hobby.
As athletes, we’ve always complained about never having enough time to do anything besides school and athletics. Well now, we have so much time on our hands that we don’t even know what to do with it.
Whether it’s doing puzzles, playing an instrument, or doing yoga, now is the time to go out and do that one activity that you’ve been longing to do for years. For me, it is picking up piano, meditating, and coloring books.
Create A New Routine
At college, we were so accustomed to having the same routine everyday. Although what we do everyday may be different now, we can still create a new routine. Try to fit in the things above on a daily basis.
Wake up and go to sleep at the same time everyday. Eat a healthy breakfast every morning. Have a planned part of your day for schoolwork, and part of your day for exercise. It’s the simple things we can do everyday to stay happy and healthy during this quarantine.
Stay tuned for my next blog post in a couple weeks. It’s going to be a long one. Also, don’t forget to follow Speaking Of Athletes on Twitter.
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