The importance of taking a break in the off season

After an intense season, mentally and physically my body craves rest. I like to take some time to fully switch off from all things surf lifesaving and just throw away my schedule for a few weeks. Ohhh the joys of the off season: sleeping in, eating what I want, going to bed when I want to, going out and experiencing different things and new places.

Pursuing my goals and training to be the best I can be can be all consuming sometimes. I like to think I am a well-balanced athlete because throughout the year I manage to keep a social life, have the occasional drink or two and don’t watch what I eat too intently. However, leading into competition season my sport is still number one, even my small decisions are calculated. When it’s my day off, I switch off and relax however in the back of my mind I have always planned out training for the next day. I’m aware of making sure I get enough sleep and eat enough of the right foods to fuel my next session. Even when I do have a late night or skip a training session, I’m thinking about how this may impact on my performance. I’m making decisions based around training and racing. It’s quite consuming and can sometimes feel overwhelming.  To be a great athlete, the one percenters have to be a priority. Which is why I value switching off in the off-season so highly, stopping sport for a few weeks and really taking a break. Since finishing university, I have been fortunate enough to have some more flexibility to sometimes plan a little holiday straight after the final event of the season, the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.

My off season down time is all about doing something different and not thinking about sport, results, training, my coaches and my sponsors. This is kind of hard to do, when something consumes so much of my life, it’s hard to move my thoughts away from it. I have to consciously stop myself from feeling guilty. Telling myself it’s okay takes a little practice.

What about exercise?

This answer has two parts. If I stop moving my body completely, I become a little less positive to be around so need to keep active for my mental health. I also really enjoy exercising for enjoyment. This off-season I have been loving surfing, hiking and trail running. I leave my smart watch in my bag and just move for feel not for time or distance.

Sometimes I may go a few days or weeks without exercising at all. And this is okay too. It’s the off season and I don’t have to be fit. I need to be okay with my body changing, my muscles wasting and my fitness declining. I may not feel or look the same, but that is okay.  Being super fit all the time is not sustainable – for me. I also almost like the feeling when I go back to training and feel slow and awkward but know that I will improve as each week goes by.

What about food?

I love food. However, when training, food is regularly about fuelling my body, eating enough and at the right times. It is so refreshing to take a break from that and just eat when I am hungry and enjoy all the foods I eat. For those reading who might think that’s a green light - this does not mean I eat junk food every day! Nor does it mean restricting my eating because I am doing less exercise. I love to eat to enjoy my food, to be social and not think too much about it all. I am still practicing to really enjoy all the foods I want to, without feeling guilty.  

Resting, relaxing and taking a break feels so good. Whilst it takes patience to pause my dedicated training habits and not feel guilty, it makes me so happy to do what I want to and what my body craves. I know that when I am back training 15 times per week, my mind and body will thank me for the rest.

*This piece of writing is from my own perspective and is in no way scientific