A New Resolution for 2009
By Lifan Hung, LMT, CPT
Bodywork Las Vegas
As we transition into the New Year, many of us may find ourselves recovering from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Whether it’s over indulgences, under indulgences, lack of sleep, concerns about finding the right gift, or traveling great distances to see family - all of these take lots of time and energy, especially if you are also trying to keep up your training schedule.
The new year is a perfect time to evaluate our priorities. For many athletes, training is likely among the top priorities after family and work. If you’re like me, you may take on several other tasks or hobbies, which leave very little “me” time. This may work for a while, but ultimately leads to burnout.
How do we avoid this? It’s simple. As highly as we value training to keep us in good physical condition, it’s just as important to value activities that keep us in good mental and emotional condition. What this means is that we need to schedule time for activities that recharge our mental and emotional states.
Every athlete I’ve ever spoken to about endurance racing, racing in general, or any other physical activity that requires some intensity has attested to the fact that it’s more mental than physical. You can push your body physically if you have the mental stamina. It’s our own mental talk that either pushes us through physical challenges, or tells us to throw in the towel.
Think back to an occasion in your life when you may have had an emotional or mental breakdown. It was likely due to being stressed out or burned out – reaching the end of your rope. Although physical exhaustion can ultimately lead to mental exhaustion, good mental and emotional health will greatly affect physical performance.
So, whether you are training for endurance races like the Silverman or your first 5K, your edge will be to keep not only your body in shape, but also your mind. This means that as much as you take the time to train your body, it’s equally important to schedule regular sessions to recharge your mind, mentally and emotionally. For some, it’s taking time for quiet meditation or yoga. For others, it will be to spend some time in a spa enjoying a relaxing massage or facial. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to do it regularly and make sure it recharges your mind on every level.
For 2009, resolve to consistently put the same efforts into creating time for maintaining emotional and mental wellbeing as you do for training and exercise. You will reap the benefits not only in your physical performance, but also in every other aspect of your life.