Sometimes Rest is Best

So I have thought about writing about this for quite awhile now, but in light of the current Covid-19 situation, I thought "what better time?! Stop procrastinating Jenny! "

So here we are...on the verge of gyms closing - no more gymnastics meets for at least the month- likely the season, along with most other sports and activities. I'm speaking to mostly gymnasts & fitness athletes...but this will apply to really all athletes regardless of sport!

First, fitness is good. Exercise is important. I am NOT telling anyone to take a 2 month break, lay on the couch, eat Oreos, nap all day, not care about your health or physical abilities (I have actually been there...it's not where you should be ...but if it is, you'll get through it! 😉)

What I am saying is that sometimes you do need to rest! Your body, brain, & nervous system need time off sometimes. The people I most work with are competitive gymnasts and CrossFitters, 2 groups who notoriously take pretty much zero time off! and I get it!!!! I WAS you! I was you as a gymnast and as a competitive CrossFitter/lifter! What if I lose strength?! What if I lose my skills?! What if I gain weight?! What if I am out of shape?! The list goes on and on and on ........and on!

Well...I am here to tell you - I think that giving yourself a little break sometimes will actually make you better...fitter, stronger, healthier, happier, more balanced....truly better! I have seen this MANY times as a physical therapist who works with athletes 98% of the time (as well as have lived it). Often by taking the time to truly rest and rehab an injury, you can be even better after....more stable, better mobility, tighter shapes, and mentally rested! Is not pushing to do what you love fun, nope! But is hurting all the time fun? also nope! and if pushing all the time doesn't lead to injury, it will often lead to burn out- ending up quitting the sport or switching to a different form of exercise!

So, what do I recommend? Well- it's different for different people and different times! If you are trying to get through a season or a few competitions...then yeah, might be worth pushing through some discomfort to get to that end goal - always need to weigh risk vs. reward. But for many people even when they are through the crucial time, they still don't take the care that is needed...and that is where we really see the problems! If the end goal is a bigger picture thing or something that is months maybe years away...then why not work to become the best you can now! That is why I feel like this is a good time for this article....the coronavirus will likely give you time off....and you might hate it....but you should use it to your advantage!

So here is what I think is great to do:

1. Stay active -rest does not mean sit around all day....go for walks, play with your dogs, get some chores done you have been meaning to. If really trying to rehab an injury I suggest not elevating your heart rate or straining much for 1-2 weeks (this is very injury dependent)
2. But probably sit around some! It's good to calm down! Find a movie or TV show- don't watch TV for like 8 hours straight (at least not every day- 1 or 2 days won't kill you)- and just veg for a bit!
3. Listen to a podcast or read a book to help your mind! I love the Justin Su'a podcast for a small daily dose of positive mindset (for kids and adults!)!
4. Try a new hobby! I always think its good for athletes to work on something to feel proud of that does not have to do with physical abilities! For me when going through my shoulder injury it was sewing some pillows, taking pictures, making friendship bracelets (yes like I did when I was 13), and lots of home decorating! I am sure you can come up other things! (and I would love to hear about them!)
5. My favorite.....ACTUALLY WORK ON WHAT YOUR BODY NEEDS! I am sure you are lacking some flexibility, or stability, or mobility, or have some compensations to your movement patterns. If you can honestly say, "nope, nothing is hurting!" ....Then good for you! I bet you still have some impairments to work on 😜. Find someone (a- hem 💁🏼‍♀️) that knows your sport/activity & get a plan! Use down time as a time to truly make yourself better!

Interested in chatting?! Feel free to email me here ! and follow my new IG page for injury prevention/gymnastics/fitness tips and tricks: BuiltByBorda

Would love for you to share with anyone you think might enjoy!