What is Self Care?

Self-care is the act of taking care of yourself. It’s something that everyone needs to do, but especially female athletes because we are often under a lot of pressure to perform at our best which can lead us to push ourselves beyond our limits. Self-care doesn’t just mean going out for a massage or getting your nails done–it’s about making sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating right, drinking enough water, and recovering from your training. Self-care also includes taking time away from sports so that your body and mind has time to rest from all the hard work it doesevery day!

Keep reading for 5 self care tips that focus on mental, physical, and emotional well being.

4 Self Care Tips for Well being

1. Sleep – Prioritize rest. This is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health, and it’s often overlooked. Creating a nightly routine and limiting your screen time at night can help put you in an optimal state to get a good night of sleep. As an athlete, getting enough sleep will help your body recover and make you more resilient to life stressors.Creating a schedule that includes your classes, practice, job, study time, extra-curriculars, and anything else is a great way to track your time and adjust your activities, especially those that suck up your time.
2. Express yourself – Life as a female student athlete can get hard. Finding ways to express yourself whether through art or activities outside of sports can serve as a necessary outlet for you. Also, creating time and space to express yourself outside of sports can help us be more in touch with ourselves. All of this promotes a clear mind that is better able to weather the ups and downs of your athletic career.
3. Build and Invest in Your Community – Having a supportive community is important to your overall emotional well being. Community can be family, friends, mentors, teammates, coaches, or really anyone who plays a supportive role in your life. Your community will serve as a source of support both in challenging and celebratory moments. With a busy schedule it can be hard to make time, but it is very important to put in the effort with building or maintaining a community.
4. Seek Professional Help – Sometimes challenges are too great to be handled alone. Seeking professional help for your mental or physical health can be a necessary next step to improve your well being. Many athletic program staff are trained to direct students to school resources such as sports psychologists or nutritionists when needed. Reach out to trusted staff members at your school to get information on what student health resources are available.

Conclusion

Self care can be a tricky subject for female athletes. It’s not always easy to take time out of your busy schedule to do things that don’t directly relate to your sport, but it’s important that you do so. Whether it’s going to an art class or taking some time out of your day to call a friend, these self care tips will help you maintain balance and keep yourself healthy in both mind and body!