Taking Care of Your Body

When it comes to excelling at sports most people think of the basic "practice makes perfect". While practice is very important to being successful, so is taking care of your body. Athletes can do this in many ways. Not only does an athlete need to stay hydrated, but have a good personal hygiene and take care of their muscles.

Staying hydrated is an important aspect in trying to make improvements. Hydration is the key to improving any activity. According to FamilyDoctor.org your body is not capable of performing at its highest level if you are not properly hydrated. Throughout your day you should be getting plenty of fluids, and it's your responsibility to make sure that's happening.

Personal hygiene is also extremely important when staying active, because no one wants to play beside a smelly, dirty teammate. Staying clean and creating good habits can make you less self-conscious on the court and more approachable by others. Not only does having a good personal hygiene help with social aspects, but it helps prevent infections or diseases that could be spread. For your sake and everyone else's sake, take on good cleaning habits.

The last thing that is extremely important to setting yourself up for success is stretching and taking care of your muscles. There are many ways you can take care of your muscles. This includes stretching daily, rolling out your muscles, and getting enough sleep. Your muscles need to be rolled out, especially if you are sore in a certain area, and well-rested to prepare for the next day's game/practice. You can use a PVC pipe, a foam roller, or even a small store-bought roller to stretch out your muscles. Dynamic and static stretching can also maintain or increase flexibility, which is important in all sports. Stretching also makes it less likely for you to tear or injure something. This does not mean you won't get hurt, but it is very beneficial and should be practiced frequently. 

Athletes cannot simply show up to practice every day without putting in work outside of the gym/field. If you are truly dedicated and want to excel at your sport you must take care of your body. If you choose not to take care of your body, the consequences could be tragic. Injuries are more likely to happen if you don't stretch. Don't risk your chance at being successful. Be dedicated on and off the court.