Elite Athletes do it Why Shouldn't We?

I'm talking about taking a break, having an off season to recover and rejuvenate. I think we can learn a lot from elite athletes just by seeing how they constantly attempt to get the best out of themselves. In doing this they also have regular natural health intervention such as physio, chiropractic care and massage to name a few plus medicos on hand to assist. Because they are attempting to keep themselves free of injury and sickness in order to carry out their trade optimally. Isn't that what you should be doing?

If you look at the way you live at present in general terms there is no comparison to an elite athlete. Fair enough I realise you aren't an athlete with elite status but you can still invest in yourself to enable you to run on all cylinders. After all if you go down who pays you? My generalised view of our lives goes something like this; work 8.30am till 5.00pm if your lucky, get dinner ready and try and fit in activity, social interaction, hobbies oh and get some sleep as well. Repeat, repeat and repeat again. This goes on all year rain hail or shine with little if any thought to recovery, rejuvenation or preventing sickness. Just keep going, it's the way it is. When you do go on holidays or take your annual leave you are usually to tired and run down to enjoy it.

Point being you need to periodise your lives other wise there is no way you will operate any where near your peak. I wrote about the winter blues recently and how they affect energy, motivation and even our mental state. So it makes sense that winter should be the time when you purposefully slow down. You are now aware this is the time we slow down anyway so why not make it your off season. And while you are there factor in regular you time during your year for recovery and rejuvenation. There is a great book out called "Flip the Switch" by Andrew May who goes into greater detail about all of this stuff if you are interested in taking this further. Just remember you are the only one who will truly look after yourself and spend time, money and energy ensuring you are firing on all cylinders and preventing illness and disease. Everyone else is thinking about themselves to. Time you started isn't it.