One Thought from Finding Mastery
Now that the Olympics are over, we asked one of our Olympian Mindset coaches, Caroline Burckle, to comment on one of the most important elements of training—rest and recovery.
When the competition ends, most athletes are ready for drumroll… a break! They have given their hearts and souls to the effort. I know after I returned home–from the Olympics or any other competition—I was experiencing a range of elated, exhausted, depleted, and grateful feelings.
In order to address these AND continue to physically go for it both in and out of competition, recovery is the non-negotiable feature on the menu. In short, it allows our muscles to repair, our emotions to regulate, and most importantly prevents burnout, which can ultimately lead to mental health challenges. I can’t say I knew the power of rest and recovery—daily recovery—until I was toward the end of my swimming career and after retirement.
“It’s important to remember that recovery isn’t something we only do right after extreme events, big efforts, or monumental performances. It is something we build into our everyday lives.”
— Caroline Burckle, Bronze Medal in Swimming, 2008 Olympics
Finding Mastery Mindset Coach
One Example from the Podcast
Taking care of your body is the foundation of rest and recovery.
Dr. Kelly Starrett, physical therapist, bestselling author, and “mobility pioneer,” is one of the world’s top advocates for daily rest and recovery practices.
He advises creating support systems to aid recovery. This means creating a circle of trusted friends—the people you can be vulnerable with and ask for help—to keep you accountable for recovery, mobility, and movement. This plays a vital role in managing stress and avoiding burnout as well. This support system could be a group of friends, your gym mates, your teammates, or your coach.
Just like we say at Finding Mastery, nobody does it alone.
Listen to the full episode: 387: Built To Move – How To take Care Of Your Body
One Action For You
It took me several injuries and bouts of depression to realize the power of daily recovery.
Choose a recovery practice and commit to it.
In addition to the movement and mobility practices Dr. Starrett shared in our podcast episode, maybe it’s minimizing screen time before bed, using a meditation app to hold yourself accountable to 7-8 minutes per day of mindfulness, or perhaps eating more colorful meals.
Try it for 7 days – and keep a journal. On each day, use these progress-prompts to guide you:
- How does it feel to commit to something caring and nourishing for myself?
- Was there any resistance today? If so, why?
- What specific things do I notice have improved because of my commitment to this? (Improved energy? Feeling more positive about challenges? Finding more desire and time to nurture my relationships?)
Give this challenge a go. Maybe 7 days will turn into a daily habit that enhances the quality of your life.
Let us know how this week’s The Friday Focus resonated with you! Tag us on social @Caroline Burckle and @FindingMastery on IG, X, or LinkedIn.
Hope some of these practices find their way into your life.
With Fire,
Caroline Burckle, Mindset Coach
The Finding Mastery Team