7 Points for Staying Healthy & Avoiding Injury
If you want to stay in the game, consider seven key points for enjoying your physical activity…
- Nutrition – Your coach is just as interested as you are in your health and probably passes on some sound advice about fueling the temple that is your body (and your brain). Cut the fat, ditch the salt, reduce sweets; increase raw fruits and vegetables, and learn to recognize (and avoid) processed foods and fast food. Talk to your coach and your doctor about any suspected eating disorders or poor eating habits.
- Water – Drinking plenty of water flushes out toxins and hydrates your cells.
- Sleep – Your body needs rest and your brain cells need sleep. The restorative powers of sleep cannot be overstated. You may need to say “no thanks” to those late nights out. Schedule your study time at earlier times of the day, especially when you have a game the next day.
- Stretch – Practice good stretch techniques to maintain flexibility and avoid overstrained muscles.
- Lose the booze & check your meds – Alcohol and recreational drug use can slow your reaction time, dull your mind, dehydrate your cells, poison your liver – and can get you kicked off your team. But you should also take care to check the adverse risks of prescription drugs on your performance and general wellness. This doesn’t mean stopping your prescribed meds, but it does mean asking your doctor about their effects on alertness, coordination, and physical activity.
- Consult your doctor – Your coach probably requires it, but even if you’re not competing, you should check with your doctor before starting any strenuous programs.
- Wear safety gear – Helmets, padded guards, and braces (if medically necessary) may make you look goofy, but it’s not a fashion statement when you wear fractures, cuts, and bruises.